Herbal products: what organic, third-party tested and GMP labels mean
Labels on herbal teas, tinctures and supplements carry marks that mean specific things. This guide explains what each one certifies, not whether a product works.
"Organic" (USDA example)
- Products labelled "organic" must contain at least 95% organic ingredients (excluding salt and water), and they can carry the USDA organic seal.
- "Made with organic…" requires at least 70% certified organic content and can't use the seal.
- Labels must be approved by a USDA-accredited certifying agent.
Source: USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, Labeling Organic Products, checked 4 Nov 2026. Other countries run their own schemes, such as BioGro and AsureQuality in NZ, ACO in AU, the Soil Association in the UK and the EU organic logo, so look for your local certifier's mark.
GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice)
In the US, the FDA requires firms that make, package or hold dietary supplements to follow current good manufacturing practices covering identity, purity, strength and composition. The FDA does not approve supplements before they're sold. Independent GMP certification, such as NSF/ANSI 455, adds facility audits; products may then show an NSF GMP mark.
Sources: FDA Questions and Answers on Dietary Supplements; NSF Dietary Supplements FAQs, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Third-party tested
- NSF/ANSI 173 (NSF Contents Certified): product testing and contaminant testing, and a check that the label matches the contents.
- NSF Certified for Sport (NSF 306): adds screening for 290+ banned substances. It's aimed at drug-tested athletes.
- "Third-party tested" without a named lab or mark is a claim you can't verify, so ask the brand for a certificate of analysis (COA).
Source: NSF, checked 4 Nov 2026.
Quick checklist
- Is the certifier named, and can you look the product up in its directory?
- Does the botanical name (Latin) and the plant part appear on the label?
- Is there a batch number and an expiry date?
- Herbs can interact with medicines. Some people check with a pharmacist or doctor first.
Where to buy (NZ and Australia)
TheraStore is an online natural health store for New Zealand and Australia. It stocks supplement brands including Nordic Naturals, NeoCell, Enzymedica and Gaia Herbs. It says some practitioner-grade products are only available after a consultation with a TheraStore naturopath or a referral from your own practitioner. Use the checklist above when comparing labels there.
Source: therastore.co homepage, checked 4 Nov 2026.
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