(ANN ARBOR, MI USA) - NSF International (www.nsf.org ), The Public Health and Safety Company(tm), announces the adoption of NSF/ANSI Standard 173-Dietary Supplements.  NSF is the leading global provider of public health and safety risk management solutions.  NSF/ANSI 173 is the first and only American National Standard for dietary supplements and for the ingredients used in dietary supplements. NSF/ANSI 173 was developed through a volunteer driven consensus process with participation from the dietary supplements industry, regulatory agencies, public health officials and users of dietary supplements.  The Standard provides criteria and evaluation methods to ensure that dietary supplement products contain the identity and quantity of ingredients listed on product labels, and that the products are free of any undeclared contaminants. NSF/ANSI 173 also provides criteria to determine conformance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) as the basis of the NSF Dietary Supplement Certification Program. 

NSF offers a GMP Registration Program against the GMPs specified in NSF/ANSI 173.  Both the NSF Dietary Supplement Certification Program and the NSF GMP Registration Program are available to manufacturers of dietary supplements and related ingredients. "We are very pleased to announce that NSF/ANSI 173 is now an American National Standard," said James G. Kendzel, Vice President, Administration. "This Standard reflects the dedicated efforts of the Dietary Supplement Joint Committee members' work and provides the foundation for consistent national voluntary requirements in ensuring dietary supplements are safe." 

"Certification of products to NSF/ANSI 173 assures consumers, retailers, health care practitioners and regulators that products carrying the NSF Mark have been independently evaluated to the Standard," said Kathy Pompliano, New Business Manager.  "To date, the NSF Dietary Supplement Certification Program has issued more than 200 certifications of products that are now traded throughout the world." Products certified to NSF/ANSI 173 are listed on the NSF website at www.nsf.org .  Parties interested in obtaining additional information, applications, quotes or a copy of the Standard should contact Kathy Pompliano at (800)-NSF-MARK or pompliano@nsf.org . 

NSF International, a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization, is the leading global provider of public health and safety risk management solutions.  NSF provides product certification and safety audits for the food and water industries.  Other services include management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.  NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food Safety and for Drinking Water Safety and Treatment.  Serving companies in 88 countries, NSF was founded in 1944 and is headquartered in Ann Arbor, MI USA.

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