Posted by Botanical vendors, like other businesses, build their reputations on more than just eye-catching branding or an extensive product line. While many can source the same botanicals for the same product categories, the differences in aspects like quality, consistency, and transparency can make or break customer trust.
Most botanical vendors are common, run-of-the-mill that could probably be interchangeable with one another with slight variations on branding and formulations. So how can you spot a superior choice that’s above the rabble?
To do away with all of the “mid” botanical vendors, you need to know what takes a vendor from “meh” to “excellent.”
Qualities of a “Mid” Vendor
A “mid” vendor will do the bare minimum possible to stay in business. It doesn’t matter whether they have paid reviews because not only does the product speak for itself, but any research on the vendor will come up pretty empty-handed.
Scant Company Information
Unfortunately, some vendors offer very little to no information about their company background and mission statement. This doesn’t automatically make them bad, but they’re not great, either. If they don’t have a mission statement, then they haven’t come up with a purpose for the company. Consumers look for principles a company stands for as a vote of confidence.
Dubious, Misleading, or Unsubstantiated Claims
Here at Kratom Experts, we provide facts as well as opinions. Botanical vendors have strict rules over what they’re allowed to say on their product packaging, product listing, or website blog. They walk a tight rope that keeps consumer safety in mind by sticking only to ingredients, instructions for dosing, lab reports, and legal disclaimers. Botanicals are not recognized for any health benefits by the medical community, so vendors cannot claim that their product’s effects treat any condition.
Difficult-to-Access or Limited, Non-Comprehensive Lab Reports
Mid-tier vendors will not go through the process of contracting an independent, third-party lab for testing. Instead, they will usually just trust the testing certificates from their suppliers. Another issue is having to purchase the product before being able to view the lab report (by scanning the QR code on the package). Not all lab reports are the same, either – they should show the testing of the ingredients for identification (authenticity) and amount as well as contaminants and adulterants to ensure purity.
Taking It to the Top Tier of Quality
Beyond marketing are some principles that make a botanical vendor a leader in quality products:
- Authentic: The products are genuine, meaning they are what they say they are (and can prove it).
- Consistent: It’s important to have predictable effects, for perfecting the manufacturing process and testing achieves that – even better if it’s small-batch testing. Having trusted partners instead of choosing based on cheap prices ensures consistency.
- Safe: The products are free from contaminants or adulterants and their formulas are manufactured with Good Manufacturing Practices compliance.
Following is a lengthier breakdown with all of the aspects that make the difference.
Company Background
A lot of mid-tier botanical vendors tend to be smaller companies under the umbrella of a larger one. So when looking up information on them, you either can’t find anything or only come up with the umbrella company. It also means the possibility of several brands being ultimately under one company with variations in branding and formulas, which isn’t really unique. Instead, I prefer a botanical vendor that’s upfront about who they are, where they’re located, and have a mission statement that represents the company’s purpose.
Ethical Sourcing
Sustainable practices for botanicals is important if the botanical vendor is doing some sourcing from nature. They’re good for the botanical in question, the environment, and the native farmers. For consumers, ethical sourcing ensures proper handling and harvesting for freshness.
Trusted Partners
Switching partners could mean disagreements and unreliability. Instead, look for a vendor that mentions they have trusted partners. It means they have a strong working relationship and are on the same page with how they work. Also, they are stable in their decisions instead of choosing based on cheap pricing, so they have consistency in the raw materials.
AKA-Approved or GMP-Certified
Here is a process that has several steps for the botanical vendor to get a stamp of approval for quality and safety standards that fall in line with pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. It ultimately involves yearly auditing by an approved American Kratom Association third-party partner with a testing laboratory. If the botanical vendor happens to have their own laboratory, then they can do their own testing in addition to independent, third-party testing.
Transparent Lab Reports
It should be easy for you to pull up Certificates of Analysis for your botanical product. You must be able to easily see what the product formula contains and sections on ingredients, amounts, contaminants, and adulterants. If you have to purchase the product and scan a QR code to bring up the batch, it could be bulk testing, meaning there might be issues with consistency.
Manufacturer-Direct
Although it’s not a deal-breaker if a botanical vendor doesn’t make their own products, it sure helps to inspire a lot of trust with that one distinction. A manufacturer-direct vendor doesn’t have to worry about lining up with partners’ schedules and agreeing on practices because they handle everything themselves from start to finish.
Choosing an Excellent Vendor
Being able to find an excellent vendor is like hunting for a diamond in the rough. When you do find it, you want to tell everyone about it. That’s how I feel about Real Botanicals, because they’re serious about their products. I dare you to find another premium-quality botanical vendor that’s also the manufacturer of their own products.
Also relevant: “The Best Botanicals for Taking on the Day”