The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), revitalized the Dietary Supplement Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (DSQAP) to support the measurement needs of the dietary supplement community. Participants measure concentrations of nutritional and toxic elements, fat- and water-soluble vitamins, fatty acids, active and/or marker compounds, and contaminants in samples distributed by NIST. Participant data is compiled at NIST and analyzed for accuracy, precision, and concordance within the community. Reports and certificates of completion are sent to participants. Workshops and other presentations will offer opportunities to discuss results, measurement challenges, and methodological advancements in the characterization of dietary supplements.
Approximately 75% of the U.S. population takes dietary supplements, including vitamins and mineral supplements, representing an annual expenditure of more than $20 billion. Regulations driven by reported cases of inaccurate labeling, adulteration, contamination (with pesticides, heavy metals, or toxic botanicals), and drug interactions are now in place that require manufacturers to evaluate the identity, purity, and composition of their ingredients and finished products. In 2007, a Dietary Supplements Laboratory Quality Assurance Program (DSQAP) was initiated to enable participants to improve the accuracy and precision of their measurements for nutrients, marker compounds, toxic elements, and/or pesticides in dietary supplement ingredients and finished products. The program was housed under another, the Health Assessment Measurements QAP, from 2017-2021. As part of a revamp of the NIST QAPs in 2021, NIST and ODS revitalized the DSQAP in 2022. Approximately twice a year, exercises will offer participants the opportunity to measure concentrations of nutritional and toxic elements, fat- and water-soluble vitamins, fatty acids, active and/or marker compounds, and contaminants in samples distributed by NIST. Participant data is compiled at NIST and analyzed for accuracy, precision, and concordance within the community. Reports and certificates of completion are sent to participants. Workshops and other presentations will offer opportunities to discuss results, measurement challenges, and methodological advancements in the characterization of dietary supplements.
The intercomparison exercises, data reports, and workshops are designed to provide participating laboratories with the tools to evaluate their dietary supplement analytical methodology. Information gained through participation may be used by the participants to demonstrate "appropriateness" of analytical methodology to regulatory agencies and to improve the quality of information associated with dietary supplement products through increased measurement capabilities.
Future DSQAP studies may address additional areas such as authenticity, as needs are identified. If you have any suggestions for studies or would like more information regarding DSQAP and other NIST QAPs, please send your request to QAPHUB [at] nist.gov.
Past participants can access historical results at QAP HUB. Log in using your existing credentials (the initial log in on the new portal will require you to request a new password).
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Elements |
Ca, Cr, Mg, I, Na, K, As, Cd, Cu, Zn, Se, I, S, and Hg in kelp materials |
Vitamins I |
Niacin and vitamin K1 in kelp materials |
Botanicals I |
Phenolic content in kelp and green tea |
Proximates |
Proximates, fatty acids, fiber, and starch in kelp and yerba mate |
Contaminants |
PFAS in kelp |
Vitamins II |
Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B7, B9, & B12 in liquid and powdered drink mixes |
Botanicals II |
Withanolides in ashwagandha materials |
Registration for Exercise 1 will close on March 4, 2022. Visit QAP HUB to sign up for participation.
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
Nutritional Elements |
Ca, Fe, Mg, and Zn in multivitamin tablets |
Toxic Elements |
Pb in Ginkgo and Ephedra tablets |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Folic acid in multivitamin tablets and infant formula |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamins A & E in multivitamin tablets and infant formula |
Fatty Acids |
Fatty acids in vegetable oil blends |
Botanicals |
Caffeine in solid oral dosage forms |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Toxic Elements |
As in Ephedra |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamins B1 & B2 in multivitamin tablets |
Botanicals |
Phytosterols in saw palmetto, flavonols in Ginkgo biloba synephrine in bitter orange |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Ca, Na, P, and Zn in protein drink mix and fortified milk powder |
Toxic Elements |
As and Cd in bitter orange |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Niacin and vitamin B6 in protein drink mix and fortified milk powder |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Retinyl palmitate in fortified milk powder |
Fatty Acids |
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in botanical oils |
Botanicals |
Phytosterols in a neat solution and saw palmetto |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Toxic Elements |
Pb in Ginkgo |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Niacin in fortified milk powder |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
β-carotene in oils |
Botanicals |
Organic acids in berry extracts |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Ca, Fe, and Zn in fortified breakfast cereals |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Niacin in fortified breakfast cereals |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
β-carotene in oil and multivitamin tablet |
Contaminants |
Aflatoxins in peanut products |
Botanicals |
Catechins in green tea |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Na and Fe in chocolate, spinach, and blueberries |
Toxic Elements |
As, Cd, Pb, and Hg in green tea |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamins B1, B3, B6, & B12 in milk powder, blueberries, and B-vitamin tablets |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamin D in infant formula and supplements |
Fatty Acids |
Fatty acids in botanical oils, fish oils, and fish tissue |
Botanicals |
Isoflavones in soy-containing products |
Participants in Exercise F report can obtain the final report by logging in to the QA portal (https://qa.nist.gov/hamqap/) and navigating to the Data Entry menu.
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Na in tomato leaves and cranberry powder |
Toxic Elements |
Pb in multivitamin tablets and Ephedra-containing tablets |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Folate in breakfast cereal and fortified milk powder |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
β-carotene in ethanolic solutions and saw palmetto extract |
Botanicals |
Anthocyanins/anthocyanidins in cranberry and bilberry extracts |
Participants in Exercise G report can obtain the final report by logging in to the QA portal (https://qa.nist.gov/hamqap/) and navigating to the Data Entry menu.
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Ca, Cu, and Mn in calcium supplement and oyster tissue |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Choline in soy flour and egg powder |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Tocopherols in carrot oil and egg powder |
Fatty Acids |
Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids in saw palmetto extract and berries |
Contaminants |
PAHs in neat solution and green tea leaves |
Botanicals |
Phytosterols in flax and perilla oils |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Cr, Mo, and Se in egg powder and multivitamin tablets |
Toxic Elements |
Cd in breakfast cereal and calcium supplement |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Pantothenic acid soy flour and blueberries |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamin A in egg powder and breakfast cereal |
Botanicals |
Catechins in green tea leaves and extract |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Ca, Mg, and Z in natural and enhanced waters |
Toxic Elements |
As in St. John's wort |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamins B1, B3, and B6 in multivitamin tablets and enhanced water |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamin E in multivitamin tablets and enhanced water |
Fatty Acids |
Omega-3 and -6 fatty acids in plant and fish oils |
Contaminants |
Aflatoxins in peanut products |
Botanicals |
Isoflavones in soy protein isolate and soy flour |
Identity |
Pure and adulterated Ginkgo biloba. |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
P and Fe in cranberry and blueberry |
Toxic Elements |
Hg in Ephedra and Ginkgo |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamins B1, B2, and B3 in multivitamin tablets and protein powder |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamin K1 in multivitamin tablets and protein powder |
Contaminants |
Acrylamide in chocolate and coffee |
Botanicals |
Phytosterols in saw palmetto |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Iodine in cat food and multivitamin tablets |
Toxic Elements |
As and Pb in St. John’s wort |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Biotin in cat food and multivitamin tablets |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Lutein and zeaxanthin in spinach and multivitamin tablets |
Fatty Acids |
Omega-3 and -6 in fish oils |
Botanicals |
Chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, and naphthodianthrones in St. John’s wort |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
K and Zn in spinach and spirulina |
Toxic Elements |
As and Pb in ginger and ginseng |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamins B1 and B2 in spirulina and multivitamin tablets |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
Vitamin K1 in basil and kelp |
Botanicals |
Curcuminoids in turmeric |
Identity |
Chondroitin sulfate |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Nutritional Elements |
Cr in a chromium supplement and multivitamin tablets |
Toxic Elements |
As, Cd, and Pb in calcium supplement and ginkgo supplement |
Water-Soluble Vitamins |
Folic acid in cereal and multivitamin tablets |
Fat-Soluble Vitamins |
vitamin D in protein powder, calcium supplement, and multivitamin tablets |
Fatty Acids |
Omega-3 and -6 in saw palmetto berries and botanical oil |
Botanicals |
Ginsenosides in ginseng |
Study |
Measurands and Samples |
---|---|
Toxic Elements |
AS, Cd, Pb, and Hg in black cohosh and turmeric |
Natural Products |
Curcuminoids in turmeric; Chondroitin sulfate in supplements |
Botanicals |
Botanical ID: Ginkgo biloba |
MLT for OMA 2106.12 Curcuminoids in Turmeric Dietary Supplements