The GMP Seal

Sometimes referred to as a CGMP Seal stands for Good Manufacturing Practices; it is not the Food and Drug Administration’s Top Seal of approval, but a company that wishes to carry this label must agree to comply to the regulations and guidelines that are set forth under the FDA’s rules for food and supplement production.

The term CGMP stands for Current Good Manufacturing Practices and it requires all food and supplement manufacturing plants to ensure that not only are the facilities up to a certain standard of quality, but also the process by which products are made meet certain criteria as well. In addition, products which come from a GMP or CGMP stamped product have been subject to government monitoring to test for compliance with the guidelines they agreed to keep.

Quality control is one of the chief aspects of meeting CGMP guidelines. These government-mandated guidelines call for management that makes sure any food and supplements produced by a company follow the best practices for manufacturing those products, and, once those products have been finished, a CGMP/GMP stamp on the label means that the food or supplement is safe for your pet’s consumption.

 Part of the process of ensuring quality control has to do with the frequent inspection of facilities. This is typically carried out by on-site inspections. The FDA employs individuals to make sure manufacturers are keeping compliance with their guidelines. On-site inspections will first look at the employees of a manufacturing plant. The guidelines call for the employees and the management of a company to be qualified (of course, different companies and products require their own certification needs). In many instances, this simply means that factory employees have completed any necessary training in order to perform their job correctly. Management or production line supervisors will also have completed any training pertinent to their jobs. Employees are also required to complete records that detail the production of whatever food or supplement is made at said production plant.

Physical manufacturing plants must also pass the on-site inspection process. The inspectors will want to check the employees’ utensils and/or equipment that will be utilized during the manufacture of food and supplement products. All equipment must be proven to protect all ingredients included in the finished product; this is a supreme responsibility of the manufacturer and is verified by the on-site inspector. Inspectors will also check for sanitation issues, and, you might be surprised to find that inspectors even consider the time that a product is on the shelf once it is manufactured. With some supplements, light can have an effect on the potency of the vitamin product. Inspectors will look to see if the product is made in an area that is affected by a great deal of light. They also monitor the sanitation of the area.

The reason that manufacturers seek to obtain a CGMP or GMP stamp is to assure the consumer of the greatest care when a product is manufactured. This is especially important when considering that this type of product is typically ingested, either as your pet’s food or as a supplement. Manufacturers know that with the availability of the internet, people are now researching their pets’ food and supplements more and more. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the issues that their pets’ food can present – low nutrition, low quality, digestive issues, and more. Therefore, the average pet parent is looking for assurance that the product they choose for Fido or Fluffy is one that is not only nutritious but will not cause any health problems due to the addition of chemicals or additives that can be extremely detrimental to their pet’s health. Because the CGMP or GMP stamp on a label ensures that the manufacturer and the plant where the product is made are both inspected and shown to provide a certain amount of product safety, the consumer can be assured that the product they chose is meant to be of the best quality for their furry friend.

Although much of the research regarding CGMP or GMP stamps has to do with the manufacturer’s responsibility of ensuring a quality product, the GMP stamp also certifies that there is a certain purity to the product being manufactured, a CGMP or GMP stamp will assure you that the product you choose is of the highest purity and quality.

Many factors go into whether a product is considered to be pure or to meet certain purity standards. First, the manufacturer will consider the source of the ingredients. This is especially important when the grower’s standards are a part of the purity promise. Organically grown ingredients are in high demand, and consumers know that just because a product says it is organic does not guarantee the truth of the statement. Therefore, the manufacturer must ensure that certain measures are taken – a lack of chemical fertilizer and pest control products, for instance – in order for a manufacturer to state that the ingredients are organically grown. Some product manufacturers seeking a GMP stamp might even insist that the ingredients be grown in a certain type of soil! Manufacturers that carry a GMP stamp also insist that nothing happens during the production process that could possibly adulterate the end result. They know that picky pet parents only want the best for their pups and kitties.

Interestingly enough, the CGMP or GMP stamped product manufacturer is not the only entity that must be compliant with the standards set forth by the FDA. Any suppliers and distributors must also be compliant, or the manufacturer will lose its certification.

Will Corrente is an advisor, consultant, and dog care entrepreneur. He is the Founder of Pet Venture Capital Management and a trusted authority and an expert in the dog care industry. Will has over 15 years of experience as the owner and operator of Very Important Paws Dog Resort in West Palm Beach, FL. Copyright 2020 k9vitatherapy.com