Your Health
Deserves Pure TRANSPARENCY

Know what goes into your body.

The supplement industry lacks transparency and accountability. It isn’t a flaw in the system – it’s a business strategy. Supplement corporations collectively spend millions lobbying against stricter regulations that would protect consumers from misleading labels and shady practices [1] [2]. This culture of secrecy leads to misinformed, confused, and unwell consumers.

Global Healing is here to change that. We’re pulling back the curtain on the supplement industry so you can shop smarter, ask better questions, and take control of your health with confidence.

Ask Questions Like Your
Health Depends On It

Better choices begin with quality information. Before you buy a supplement, ask yourself — and the company you're about to trust — these questions. They’re designed to test the integrity of a supplement by uncovering the truth behind ownership, ingredient sourcing, manufacturing processes, testing standards, unnecessary additives, and overall transparency.

Ownership

Who actually makes this supplement?

Know who controls your supplements so you can make informed decisions.

Many brands don’t produce their own products. They rely on third-party manufacturers, often with limited oversight into quality control, cleanliness, or ingredient integrity.[3][4] These contract facilities may produce supplements for dozens of different labels, which can increase the risk of cross-contamination and inconsistent quality.

Some of the biggest supplement brands are owned by corporations that also sell processed foods, sugary beverages, or household chemicals. They often enter wellness spaces because it’s profitable to do so, not necessarily because they’re committed to your health. If it isn’t clear on the label who owns or manufactures your supplements (red flag), a quick Google search will give you answers.

$60B

contract manufacturing spend for dietary supplements worldwide in 2024.[3]

81.9

annual acquisitions in the vitamins & supplements sector (average per year since 2018).[5]

19.6

YoY increase in vitamins & supplements mergers and acquisitions volume.[5]

Sourcing

Where and how are the ingredients grown?

Growing conditions and farming practices affect supplement quality.

The quality of a supplement doesn’t just depend on what’s in it. It’s also about where those ingredients come from, how they’re grown, and who handles them along the way. A trustworthy brand should be able to trace every ingredient back to the farm, the harvest date, and even the soil and water conditions.

To save money, some companies will source ingredients from regions with weak safety and sanitation standards.[6][7] Without traceability, there’s no way to know what you're really getting or what you're exposing your body to.

Concerning Findings in Raw Materials

A study evaluated the microbiological purity of 122 supplement samples and 30 plant-based raw materials before market release. The results revealed concerning contamination levels.

92%

bacterial contamination
found in plant material used to make supplements.[8]

92%

Manufacturing

How are ingredients processed?

The way a supplement is made has everything to do with how well it works.

High heat, alcohol, plastics, and chemical solvents are commonly used in supplement manufacturing. These can degrade delicate compounds and leave behind toxic residues. In contrast, cold extraction, water-based processing, and glass or stainless steel vessels help preserve the full spectrum of active constituents and avoid chemical leaching. Cleaners and disinfectants should be non-toxic and food-safe.

If a facility is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified, it will have higher standards for cleanliness, safety, and process controls. Truly exceptional brands go beyond GMP, using gentle, protective methods that preserve potency from raw ingredient to final product. You should be able to find this information on a brand’s website. If not, check the label for the manufacturer and look up their facility.


Standards

Is testing beyond the industry’s bare minimum?

Rigorous testing is a sign that a supplement brand cares about its consumers.

Technically, supplement manufacturers are legally responsible for ensuring safety, identity, and purity. However, they are not required to submit proof or conduct third-party testing – until there’s a noticeable issue.

If testing information isn't readily available on a brand’s website, contact their customer service department. Ask which tests they perform specifically, and who does the testing. Request test results (like a Certificate of Analysis) for the product. You can even request the results from a specific batch if you’re curious about a product you already bought.

60%

60%

missing ingredient

showed that the actual expected ingredient was not found.9

35%

35%

undeclared plants

Supplements containing species not listed on label.9

47%

47%

heavy metal

exceeded safety thresholds for toxic metals.10

1,068 adulterated supplements found with unapproved pharmaceutical ingredients (2007–2021).11

Shortcuts

Does this supplement have artificial additives, and why?

When it comes to supplements, what’s not included is just as important as what is.

Additives like artificial colors, preservatives, and flow agents aren’t necessary for your wellness. They speed up manufacturing, make products look more appealing, or reduce costs. These ingredients may be labeled as “safe,” but they can interfere with nutrient absorption or cause sensitivities.

When you’re reading a label, look for ingredients you recognize. Be cautious of vague terms like “proprietary blend” or “other ingredients,” as these can hide artificial additives or unnecessary fillers. If you have questions about an ingredient’s purpose, reach out to the company directly.

The Risk of Common Additives

Additives are often used to prioritize manufacturing efficiency or market appeal — not the quality of the supplement or the well-being of the person taking it. Below are some common additives and the potential risks they may carry.12

Silicon Dioxide
A flow agent used to prevent clumping and aid manufacturing. Long-term exposure may result in respiratory or lung concerns.13
Magnesium Stearate
A flow agent that keeps ingredients from sticking to manufacturing equipment. Research suggests it may interfere with nutrient absorption.14
Titanium Dioxide
A coloring agent added to whiten capsules and tablets. Banned in the EU due to studies linking it to potential DNA and intestinal health risks.15
Sucralose (Splenda)
An artificial sweetener used to provide zero-calorie flavor found to disrupt gut bacteria and raise insulin levels in healthy adults.16

Openness

Is it easy to find information and get answers?

Brands you can trust won't make you dig.

When a company values your health, it shows in how clearly and openly they communicate. Don’t settle for a brief FAQ page or vague answers about sourcing, testing, or manufacturing. Brands that truly care about your health will give you full access to the information you need to make informed choices.

Take it as a sign to shop elsewhere if a brand doesn’t proudly share how their products are made, what’s in them, and why each decision supports your wellness.

lacked a brand address
or contact info.9

failed to register with the
FDA as required.17

 

Pure Transparency: A Global Healing Promise

Global Healing is independently owned and operated because we aren’t just a company that makes supplements. Instead of thinking like a business, we think like a protector, an advocate, and an educator. The bare minimum isn’t good enough for us, and we refuse to profit from shortcuts that put your health at risk.

Transparency isn’t a feature. It’s our foundation. We’re proud to show you the inner workings of Global Healing where your health, your trust, and your right to know come first. We’re honored to give you Pure Transparency.

Global Healing makes your supplements.
Our ingredients are traceable back to the soil.
We don’t use heat, solvents, or harsh chemicals in manufacturing.
We test, re-test, and test again.
We never include artificial additives.
We put it all out there.

For Your Empowerment

Read Now
We have a growing collection of articles that dive deeper into what Pure Transparency means at Global Healing. The more you know, the better choices you can make for yourself, your loved ones, and your future. Sign up for email updates so you never miss an article or important announcement.


MONTH 1 - Transparency
Read More Q&A with Chris Green (Quality Manager)
04/21/25 Why you should "do your own research"
04/21/25 What to look for & avoid on labels
MONTH 2 - Ingredients
06/21/25 Q&A with Deborah Kurth (Procurement Manager)
06/21/25 What is traceability & why it matters
06/21/25 How we choose raw ingredient suppliers
MONTH 3 - Manufacturing
07/21/25 Q&A with Mikel Lemke (Plant Manager)
07/21/25 Inside our state-of-the-art facility
07/21/25 Contract manufacturing vs in house

References

  1. Brown, Erin. “How the Dietary Supplement Industry Keeps Regulation at Bay.” OpenSecrets News, 21 June 2019.
  2. Duffin, Erin. “Top Lobbying Industries in the U.S. 2018.” Statista, 4 Mar. 2021.
  3. “Dietary Supplements Contract Manufacturing Market Report, 2030.” Grandviewresearch.com, 2024. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
  4. Wright, Tim. “Nutraceutical Brands Find Relief in Outsourcing Manufacturing.” Contract Pharma, 6 Mar. 2019. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
  5. Woolston, Andrew. “Vitamins & Supplements Market Update – December 2024.” Capstone Partners, 18 Dec. 2024. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
  6. Crowther, Jeff. “Inside China: Safeguarding the Supply Chain.” Nutraceuticals World, May 2009. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
  7. Aschwanden, Christie. “Prohibited, Unlisted, Even Dangerous Ingredients Turn up in Dietary Supplements.”The Washington Post, 25 June 2021. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
  8. Dlugaszewska, J., Ratajczak, M., Kamińska, D., & Gajecka, M. (2018). Are dietary supplements containing plant-derived ingredients safe microbiologically? Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ, 27(2), 240. 
  9. Brazil, Benjamin. “What’s Actually in Your Supplements?” Chapman News, Chapman University, 27 June 2024. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
  1. 2024-25 Protein Powder Category Report CLP Insights.
  2. White, C. Michael. “Continued Risk of Dietary Supplements Adulterated with Approved and Unapproved Drugs: Assessment of the US Food and Drug Administration’s Tainted Supplements Database 2007 through 2021.” The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, vol. 62, no. 8, 31 Mar. 2022, pp. 928–934. Accessed 28 Feb. 2023.
  3. ConsumerLab.com. “Inactive Ingredients / Excipients in Supplements.” ConsumerLab.com, 11 May 2007. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.
  4. Johnson, Jon. “Silicon Dioxide: Definition, Safety, and Effects.” www.medicalnewstoday.com, 8 May 2019.
  5. Contributors, WebMD Editorial. “What Is Magnesium Stearate?” WebMD, 15 Aug. 2023.
  6. Juelicher, Sabine. “SANTE - Goodbye E171: The EU Bans Titanium Dioxide as a Food Additive.” Ec.europa.eu, 18 Jan. 2022.
  7. Méndez-García, Lucía A., et al. “Ten-Week Sucralose Consumption Induces Gut Dysbiosis and Altered Glucose and Insulin Levels in Healthy Young Adults.” Microorganisms, vol. 10, no. 2, 1 Feb. 2022, p. 434.
  8. “Dietary Supplements: Companies May Be Difficult to Locate in an Emergency.” Office of Inspector General | Government Oversight | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2 Oct. 2012. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.