Raising the bar in product quality, safety, and efficacy

The natural product sector is poised for a dramatic transition in public acceptance and public scrutiny. This is driven, in part, by a phenomenon influenced by corporate decision makers. In surveys of consumers, 60 – 80 percent of people questioned are using nutritional supplements. This situation presents a dilemma for corporate entities, such as athletic organizations, corporate wellness programs, medical centers and health care corporations, consumer membership organizations, and many others. On the one hand, these groups know their people use supplements, but they worry there is wide range of quality, safety, and efficacy. These groups are risk averse, so recommending specific supplement lines is a risk they've traditionally avoided. However, they are also aware that failure to make recommendations, leaves their cohorts subject to the wide variability in product quality. These organizations are now looking to make more deliberate moves toward recommendation, if not endorsement of specific brands or companies. While there have always been corporate buyers, this represents an emergent opportunity of considerable scale and responsibility. It is our view that only those companies who raise the bar in quality, safety, and efficacy with specific rigorous and transparent practices will be up to the standards required for such opportunities.