According to a new study from global public health organization NSF International, busy consumers with no time for in-depth product research are increasingly relying on retailers to screen out potentially unsafe and low-quality products. The study found that 97 percent of Americans believe it is important for retailers to visit and inspect manufacturing facilities that produce dietary supplements, personal care products and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Nearly 85 percent of survey respondents said they expect retailers to test supplements and other health and wellness products for safety.
“We’re seeing a trend across categories in the health and wellness sector—consumers increasingly want retailers to stand behind the products they sell,” said David Trosin, managing director of Health Sciences Certification at NSF International. “According to this research, consumers not only expect retailers to test products for safety, they want them to inspect manufacturing facilities for compliance with current good manufacturing practices.”
The online survey conducted in July 2021 on behalf of NSF International polled a representative sample of 1,000 Americans about their attitudes and behaviors related to dietary supplements, personal care products and OTC drugs. The margin of error for the study is +/-3.1 percent at a 95 percent confidence level.
Under U.S. federal regulations, manufacturers of dietary supplements and OTC drugs are required to comply with current good manufacturing practices (GMPs), but they are not required to provide proof of GMP compliance before shipping products. Recently, however, several major retailers and online shopping platforms have begun requiring brands and manufacturers to provide proof of GMP compliance and other quality assurance requirements. The new study suggests Americans want retailers to go beyond what’s required by law and conduct their own due diligence audits of manufacturing facilities.
According to the survey, 95 percent of consumers have concerns about the quality and safety of dietary supplements, personal care products and OTC drugs. When asked what would make them trust these products more, 62 percent said “independent certification from a health and safety organization” and 61 percent said “made in a facility that has been inspected for good manufacturing practices.” About 44 percent said “lab testing by the retailer” would help build their trust in supplements and personal care products. Only 14 percent said “advertising on TV” helps build their trust in products. “Social media comments” and “celebrity endorsements” were identified as building trust by just 17 percent of consumers.
According to the survey, the consumers most likely to demand laboratory testing of supplements, personal care products and OTCs are consumers with children, consumers in urban areas, consumers 23 to 35 years old, and men making over $90,000 per year.
For more information, visit www.nsf.org.
