Amazon has recently implemented a series of changes in its dietary supplement policy, focusing on enhancing consumer safety and trust in the 2nd quarter of 2024. The move is to curb fake Tongkat Ali supplements, elevate the overall quality and trust.
Here’s what you need to know about Amazon’s policy dietary changes and how they’re ensuring consumers receive only the best-quality Tongkat Ali products on Amazon.
The New Amazon Supplement Policy and its Impact
Amazon’s new supplement policy aligns with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations, ensuring all dietary herbal supplements sold on the platform comply with current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP), in compliance with 21 CFR 111, 21 CFR 117, or both.
cGMP Requirements by Amazon Amazon accepts GMP certificates from accredited third-party certification bodies, including NSF/ANSI 455-2, NSF/ANSI 173 Section 8, GRMA 455-2, UL GMP, USP GMP, Eurofins, SAI Global, SGS, Intertek, TGA, SQF Dietary Supplements Food Safety Code, and SSCI. |
According to the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), a leading accreditation body, “Amazon’s new dietary supplement policy represents a major step forward in consumer safety. By requiring third-party testing and certification, Amazon ensures that only authentic and high-quality products make it to consumers, protecting them from potentially harmful or substandard supplements.”
“This sentiment resonates with many health-conscious buyers who have long been wary of the influx of counterfeit supplements.”, explains a nutritionist based in Texas.
Against the backdrop of unregulated herbal supplement industry filled with adulterants, consumers will now enjoy more health benefits of Tongkat Ali under the new Amazon supplement policy changes.
“Amazon made the right move to ensure consumers are presented only the best quality Tongkat Ali herbal supplements when buying online” said Dr. Jonathan Maxwell, a clinical andrologist from New York.
He added “This move will remove bad actors as there has been increasing new Tongkat Ali brands being introduced in the market in recent year. Tongkat Ali root extract has gained immense popularity for its health benefits but has also been plagued by a rise in counterfeit, adulterated or low-quality products”
Under the updated Amazon policy, all dietary supplements sold on Amazon, including Tongkat Ali, must now meet strict guidelines for labeling, product testing, and compliance with federal regulations. Sellers are required to provide documentation showing their supplements are manufactured in compliance with the FDA’s cGMP regulations, which ensure that products are consistently produced and controlled according to quality standards.
In addition, Amazon has made it mandatory for sellers to submit certificates of analysis (COAs) from accredited labs. These certificates confirm the identity, purity, and potency of the supplements, significantly reducing the risk of adulterated or misrepresented products.
A popular Tongkat Ali brand in the US, AKARALI, was amongst the first to fully comply to the latest Amazon’s quality supplement policy on its clinically tested MIT-derived Physta hot water extract. This is followed by other US Tongkat Ali brands such as Solaray and Double Wood supplements.
“The additional Amazon requirements bring more benefit to customers when buying quality authentic Tongkat Ali extract. As an Amazon’s Choice for Tongkat Ali for many years, AKARALI has always adhered to the highest quality Tongkat Ali supplement standards, and our product is manufactured in a USFDA-approved facility under strict cGMP compliance. Additionally, our products are 3rd party lab tested by independent accredited labs such as EUROFINS.” says Compliance & Global Community Partnership Lead, Alex Kua.
Meanwhile, leading senior head scientist Dr. Annie George from Biotropics told reporters in LA that most standardized hot water Tongkat Ali extracts are third-party lab tested and clinically tested to meet Amazon’s dietary criteria, ensuring that customers receive purity from the best Tongkat Ali supplement.
Addressing the Problem of Counterfeit Tongkat Ali
For years, the US Tongkat Ali market has been flooded with counterfeit and low-quality extracts that often fail to deliver the claimed health benefits.
Some leading Tongkat Ali products such as Huberman’s Momentous Tongkat Ali and Solaray Tongkat Ali may contain little or low bioavailability to produce any testosterone gains as reported by functional and medical health experts. And there are many Tongkat Ali brands on Amazon that is adulterated with other substances (eg: anabolic steroids) to artificially boost testosterone, making it unsafe for aging adults or those with early onset of kidney disease symptoms. This has led to rising concerns about safety and efficacy, making it difficult for consumers to trust Tongkat Ali supplements when they purchase on Amazon.
With Amazon’s revised supplement policy in 2024, these concerns are being addressed head-on. The requirement for Certificate of Authenticity (COAs) from accredited labs means that every Tongkat Ali product sold on the platform must be tested for authenticity and purity.
This ensures that consumers are getting exactly what they pay for—real Tongkat Ali with verified potency, mainly produced using standardized hot water extraction technology.
In addition to requiring testing, Amazon is taking steps to crack down on false advertising. Sellers are now obligated to provide truthful information about their products, including the exact ingredients and the correct dosage. This transparency is crucial in helping consumers make informed decisions, particularly when it comes to supplements like Tongkat Ali, where dosage and extraction methods can significantly impact effectiveness.
The Importance of cGMP Compliance and Third-Party Testing
One of the cornerstones of Amazon’s new policy is the revised requirement for cGMP compliance as per FDA regulations. This ensures that manufacturers follow strict guidelines in the production, storage, and testing of supplements. cGMP compliance reduces the risk of contamination and ensures that the final product is both safe and effective.
Third-party testing is another critical component of Amazon’s policy. By requiring sellers to submit COAs from accredited laboratories, Amazon ensures that supplements like Tongkat Ali are tested for purity and potency. This process also verifies that the product is free from harmful contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial impurities.
According to the ANSI National Accreditation Board, “Third-party certification by independent body is an essential safeguard in the dietary supplement industry. It ensures that herbal supplements meet the claims made on their labels and comply with all relevant safety standards.”
This added layer of security gives is beneficial for consumers, where product mislabeling and misleading health claims have been a common issue in most Tongkat Ali supplements in the market.
Tips When Buying Tongkat Ali on Amazon
With these new policy changes in place, consumers can feel more confident when purchasing Tongkat Ali on Amazon. However, it’s still important to be an informed buyer. Here are some tips to help you choose a high-quality Tongkat Ali product:
- Look for cGMP Compliance: Ensure that the product is manufactured by a company that follows cGMP regulations. This is a sign that the company adheres to stringent quality control standards.
- Check for Third-Party Testing: Always choose 3rd party lab tested Tongkat Ali products that have been tested by an independent laboratory such as EUROFINS or SGS. Look for COAs that confirm the product’s purity, potency, and safety. This information is often available on the product listing or can be requested from the seller.
- Standardized Extract: Opt for a product that uses a standardized extract for optimal bioavailability of compounds that matter to your health. Standardization ensures consistency in the active important ingredients, which is essential for the supplement’s effectiveness (i.e efficacy). Non-standardized extracts are often sold on Amazon too, so opt for standardized extract for better efficacy.
- Buy from Trusted Brands: Consider buying from reputable US Tongkat Ali brands such as Solaray, AKARALI or DoubleWood, which have a proven track record of quality and transparency. Consumers should be cautious of overly cheap products or those that lack clear information about the extraction process and ingredient sources.
- Consult a Healthcare Professional: Before starting any supplement, including Tongkat Ali, it’s always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
Conclusion: Amazon’s New Policy Is a Win for Consumers
Amazon’s updated supplement policy represents a significant step forward in ensuring the safety and authenticity of products sold on the platform. We found that brands such as AKARALI are amongst the best Tongkat Ali supplement on Amazon that has gone extensive toxicity, adulterant, purity and potency tests to comply with Amazon’s latest dietary supplement policy, which is strictly governed by FDA regulatory requirements. For Tongkat Ali consumers, these changes mean greater transparency, higher quality, and peace of mind. By requiring cGMP compliance, third-party testing, and accurate labeling, Amazon is helping to protect consumers from counterfeit and substandard supplements.