Supplement Research

The Importance of Testing Prenatal Multi-Vitamins

by Cassandra Delage, Founder and CEO

Published June 9, 2024 — Last Reviewed April 12, 2024

  • Full Article

  • Contributors

  • References

Excerpt

Ensuring quality and transparency in women's health supplements is essential. With concerns about contamination and inaccurate labelling, robust batch testing practices are crucial.

Introduction

At Bia, we ensure our supplements are tested by a third-party lab licensed by Health Canada, guaranteeing unbiased results. If a batch fails to meet Health Canada’s GMP standards, or the applicable USP (United States Pharmacopeia) standards, it is sent back to the manufacturer. Additionally, our stringent supplier qualification program for raw materials and packaging components ensures all materials meet high safety standards. This thorough vetting process guarantees consistent quality, so you can trust that each batch meets the same high standards. If you want to read the finer details of what and how we test our supplements, you can find the information here.

Why Testing Matters

Quality Assurance:

Third party testing ensures every product meets high standards, identifying and fixing issues before they reach consumers.

Consistency Across Batches:

It guarantees each batch has the same quality and quantity of ingredients, so you know what you're getting every time.

Detecting Contaminants:

We screen for harmful substances like heavy metals and pesticides to ensure safety.

Regulatory Compliance:

Testing ensures we meet health authority standards for potency, purity, and safety.

Accurate Labelling:

It confirms each batch matches its label, ensuring product integrity.

When It Goes Wrong

Skipping batch testing can lead to serious problems, like athletes accidentally ingesting banned substances from contaminated supplements. Studies show the critical role of testing in preventing such issues. For more details on Health Canada's measures, check here.

Choosing Transparent Manufacturers

For safe and quality supplements, especially during pregnancy, look for —

Thorough Testing Protocols:

Make sure that the supplements you're considering undergo comprehensive testing protocols. This means that every batch is rigorously tested for things like ingredient potency, purity, and safety. By doing so, you can trust that each supplement meets the highest standards of safety and effectiveness.

Third-Party Verification:

Look for supplements that have been tested by independent third-party laboratories. This extra step adds credibility and transparency to the testing process, ensuring that the supplements have been evaluated by trusted experts.

Transparent Reporting:

It's important that manufacturers provide easy access to batch testing certificates of analysis (CoA). Whether it's through product packaging or their website, having access to detailed reports on the quality and safety of supplements empowers you to make informed decisions about your health. Transparency every step of the way is key to giving you peace of mind.

Conclusion

Batch testing is key to maintaining the quality, safety, and transparency of women's health supplements. It ensures product integrity, consistency, and compliance with standards, protecting consumer health and building trust in the industry.

Title

References to the research cited in this article can be found in the "References" tab at the top of this page.

Contributors

Author(s)

Cassandra Delage

Founder and CEO of Bia

References

Bia follows strict article guidelines and only uses credible sources, such as peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions and highly respected health organizations. In addition, when necessary, each article is reviewed by a member of our healthcare community to further ensure up-to-date information.

[1] Food and Drug Administration (FDA). (2016). Current Good Manufacturing Practice in Manufacturing, Packaging, Labelling, or Holding Operations for Dietary Supplements. Retrieved from https://www.fda.gov/regulatory-information/search-fda-guidance-documents/draft-guidance-current-good-manufacturing-practice-manufacturing-packaging-labeling-or-holding

[2] ConsumerLab.com LLC. (2021). Understanding Supplement Quality: What are the standards for dietary supplements? Retrieved from https://www.consumerlab.com/how_products_are_evaluated/quality_standards/

[3] United States Pharmacopeia (USP). (2020). Dietary Supplements Compendium. Retrieved from https://online.uspnf.com/uspnf/document/1_GUID-3F1D26EC-6E21-4AEB-A54E-7CF27F664C1E_1_en-US?source=SearchResults#navigation

[4] Baylis, AM & Cameron-Smith, David & Burke, Louise. (2001). Inadvertent Doping through Supplement Use by Athletes: Assessment and Management of the Risk in Australia. International journal of sport nutrition and exercise metabolism. 11. 365-83. 10.1123/ijsnem.11.3.365.

[5] Mallick, M.; Camacho, C.B.; Daher, J.; El Khoury, D. Dietary Supplements: A Gateway to Doping? Nutrients 2023, 15, 881. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu15040881

[6] Kozhuharov VR, Ivanov K, Ivanova S. Dietary Supplements as Source of Unintentional Doping. Biomed Res Int. 2022 Apr 22;2022:8387271. doi: 10.1155/2022/8387271. PMID: 35496041; PMCID: PMC9054437.

More to read

Title

Multi-Vitamin Research

Title

General Guides

Why do I Need to Care About Bioavailability?

The Importance of Testing Prenatal Multi-Vitamins

Navigating the Choices: Our Prenatal Multi-Vitamin

Prenatal Multi-Vitamins: Skip These Ingredients

Why You Should Start a Prenatal Mutli-Vitamin Before Pregnancy

Nutrient Focused

Should My Prenatal Multi-Vitamin Have Iron?

DHA: Why It's Essential for Your Pregnancy 

The supplement market, like anything that isn't properly regulated, is rife with broken promises, unfounded claims, and safety concerns. Bia was started to be better — a new standard in women's health.

Recent Articles

"With concerns about contamination and inaccurate labelling, robust batch testing practices are crucial."

The Importance of Testing Multi-Vitamins

Published June 9, 2024

"When I first looked into prenatal vitamins, I realized how overwhelming the choices were. Finding trustworthy, transparent brands made all the difference."

Navigating the Choices: Our Prenatal Multi-Vitamin

Published June 10, 2024

Title
Explore articles in other topics on our Learn page
Read more