The Short Answer
NOW Foods is highly recommended for budget-conscious consumers. It is one of the very few legacy brands that successfully balances rock-bottom prices with elite quality control.
Instead of paying for third-party certifications on every single item, NOW performs over 16,000 in-house tests every month. Their ISO-accredited labs ruthlessly screen raw materials for identity, potency, and heavy metal contamination, making them one of the most transparent brands on the shelf. Third Party Tested Brands
Why This Matters
Budget supplements are historically a minefield of low potency and cheap fillers. NOW Foods breaks that rule by actively operating as the industry watchdog. Since 2017, they have systematically purchased random, lesser-known brands on Amazon to laboratory test them against their own products.
The results of their testing are terrifying for everyday consumers. They found that up to 64% of popular Amazon supplements fail basic potency tests. Many contained dangerously high levels of heavy metals, synthetic alternatives, or zero trace of the actual active ingredient. Amazon Supplements Safe
If you want to know if a supplement actually contains what it claims, mass spectrometry testing is the only proof. NOW’s massive $60 million investment in ISO 17025-accredited labs means you get practitioner-grade safety at drugstore prices. Supplements Contain Claims
What's Actually In NOW Foods
NOW manufactures over 1,400 distinct products, but they follow strict formulation standards across the board.
- KSM-66® Ashwagandha — They use this extensively researched, trademarked extract instead of generic root powder to guarantee consistent clinical dosing. Ksm 66 Vs Sensoril
- Magnesium Bisglycinate — NOW utilizes this fully reacted, chelated form of magnesium to ensure maximum absorption without the harsh laxative effect. Magnesium Glycinate Vs Citrate
- Bovine Gelatin — While they offer plenty of vegan options, their absolute cheapest capsules often use animal-derived gelatin instead of plant cellulose.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- ISO 17025 Accredited Labs — NOW's internal testing facilities operate to the exact same rigorous global standards as independent third-party labs.
- Informed-Sport Certification — Their sports nutrition line undergoes strict independent testing to ensure zero banned substances for competitive athletes. Nsf Certified Meaning
Red Flags:
- Lack of Universal Third-Party Testing — To keep retail costs as low as possible, they rely on in-house testing for the vast majority of their products rather than independent labs. Third Party Tested Meaning
- Overwhelming Catalog — With over 1,400 products, navigating their lineup can be confusing, and not every single formulation uses the most premium patented ingredients.
The Best Options
NOW Foods has hundreds of products, but their foundational vitamins and sports lines offer the absolute best value.
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOW Foods | Sports Whey Protein Isolate | ✅ | Informed-Sport certified and heavily purified |
| NOW Foods | Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder | ✅ | Fully reacted chelate with no laxative effect |
| NOW Foods | High Potency Vitamin D-3 | ✅ | Exceptionally affordable and rigorously tested |
The Bottom Line
1. Trust their testing. While mostly in-house, their massive lab setup is better equipped than many independent facilities and holds top-tier ISO accreditations.
2. Buy their sports line for athletic guarantees. If you are a competitive athlete, look for their Informed-Sport certified powders and recovery products.
3. Use them for the basics. NOW is the perfect brand to stock up on foundational daily supplements like Vitamin D, Magnesium, and Omega-3s without breaking the bank. Supplements Everyone Needs
FAQ
Does NOW Foods third-party test their supplements?
Only selectively to keep prices incredibly low across their 1,400+ product catalog. Instead, they rely heavily on their massive ISO-accredited in-house testing facility, though they do use independent labs like Eurofins for specific certifications and regular industry audits. How Know Supplement Safe
Is NOW Foods made in the USA?
Yes, they manufacture and test their products in the United States. NOW Foods is completely family-owned and operates UL-certified cGMP facilities in Illinois and Nevada, though they globally source their raw ingredients.
Are NOW Foods supplements safe from heavy metals?
Yes, they run strict mass spectrometry tests on every single batch. They analyze all incoming raw materials for lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury to ensure every bottle falls well below stringent California Prop 65 safety limits. Heavy Metals Supplements