Wegmans Ups Testing Standards With NSF

Rochester, N.Y.-based Wegmans is collaborating with global public health organization NSF to launch the grocer’s Verified With Confidence program for all dietary supplements, herbals, probiotics and CBD-containing products sold at Wegmans. NSF, which tests and certifies products for the food and consumer goods industries, announced the collaboration in an April 12 statement.

“We have been concerned about inconsistent requirements in testing standards in the supplement industry,” said Karen Shadders, VP of health and well-being for Wegmans. “Our Verified With Confidence program allows us to ensure the products on our shelves contain the ingredients stated on the bottle.”

Looking to solidify Wegman’s commitment to safety and quality, the grocery retailer said this program will help consumers identify high-quality products. “This is one of the first retailer quality assurance programs in the industry that addresses high-risk products and the importance of quality ingredients,” Wegmans said.

Choosing to work with NSF to launch this program, Betsy Crater, on-food quality assurance manager for Wegmans, said its the right thing to do for the grocer’s customers. “We are excited to be a leader in this initiative and help inspire others in the industry to get on board as well,” Crater said in a statement.

Wegmans’ Verified With Confidence program will incorporate the most current ANSI-accredited Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) audit standards: NSF/ANSI 455-2 for dietary supplements and NSF/ANSI 455-3 for cosmetics/personal care products, according to an NSF statement. “These new GMP audit standards are built on the current regulations detailed in 21 CFR 111 and 117 and came as a result of consensus amongst retailers, suppliers and other stakeholders,” said NSF, which will administer the overall program and provide auditing services, product testing, label review accuracy and claims substantiation.

“Wegmans is demonstrating true leadership with its Verified With Confidence program,” said David Trosin, managing director of health sciences certification for NSF. “Consumers want to know what’s in the products they buy and more and more they are expecting retailers to play an active role in quality assurance and product safety. We envision a future when most major retailers will require brands to show proof of product quality in some form or another, whether through independent assurance of GMP compliance, independent laboratory testing of products, or both.”