Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP)

Plain language

A floor, not a ceiling. GMP says the manufacturer follows basic hygiene and record-keeping. It does not say their formula works or that they tested every batch with a credible third-party lab.

Definition

Good Manufacturing Practice for dietary supplements is codified in the United States under FDA regulation 21 CFR Part 111. It requires documented procedures for facility sanitation, equipment calibration, batch records, ingredient identity testing, in-process controls, and stability testing. GMP compliance is a prerequisite for selling supplements in the US legal market, but it does not guarantee a well-formulated or well-tested product.

Related terms

• USP Verified Voluntary US Pharmacopeia program that audits supplement label accuracy, contaminants, and manufacturing practices.
• NSF Certified Independent product certification for label accuracy, contaminants, and (for the Sport variant) banned-substances screening.
• Certificate of Analysis (COA) Lab report on a specific batch of a specific product. Confirms active fraction, heavy metals, and microbial counts.

References

• 21 CFR Part 111 - Current Good Manufacturing Practice for Dietary Supplements