The Value Workhorse: solid in-house GMPs, sparse public testing
Investigation confirms 21st Century manufactures in its own Tempe, AZ facilities and holds third-party GMP credentials (UL Part 111; ANSI 455-2 uploaded in a retailer portal)—a big operational win for a budget brand—but it does not routinely publish per-batch Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for consumers. [1][2][3]
Our Verdict
Comprehensive analysis shows a value-forward manufacturer with credible, independently audited GMP systems but limited consumer-facing transparency. For everyday staples at low prices, 21st Century is a reasonable pick, especially given UL/ANSI GMP credentials and a clean warning-letter record aside from a small labeling recall. If you want third-party product verification (USP), premium ingredient forms, or expiry-guaranteed probiotics, you'll do better with select alternatives—at a higher price. [2][3][6]
How we investigated:We reviewed the company's public quality claims, independent certification directories, recall and BBB records, employee sentiment, retail pricing, product labels, and consumer chatter to map the pattern: reliable mass-market basics at sharp prices, modest innovation, and limited transparency to the end user.
Ideal For
- Budget-conscious shoppers buying staple nutrients (C, D, basic multis)
- Retail buyers who prioritize availability over premium forms
- Private-label customers who value a domestic manufacturer with audited GMPs
Avoid If
- You require published batch COAs or USP Verified marks
- You want clinically studied, novel delivery systems or premium forms (e.g., methyl-B12, mixed tocopherols)
- You need probiotics guaranteed to label claim through expiration
Best Products
- One Daily Women's 50+
- Vitamin C 500 mg
- Fish Oil 1000 mg
Skip These
- GLP-1 Daily Support (marketing over evidence)
- Probiotics with CFUs 'at manufacture' only
- High-sugar chewables like ImmuBlast when sugar intake is a concern
What to Watch For
The fastest trust upgrade: publish batch-level COAs for top SKUs, switch probiotic claims to 'guaranteed through expiration,' and pilot USP Verification for bestsellers. Clear sourcing disclosures (country of origin, fisheries/GOED affiliations) would further close the transparency gap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 21st Century publish Certificates of Analysis (COAs)?
No routine public COAs were found on product pages; the brand cites ISO 17025 lab capability and audited GMPs instead. [1][2]
Is 21st Century third-party certified?
Yes—UL lists a current Part 111 GMP certificate; an ANSI 455-2 certificate was uploaded to a supplier portal through 2026. [2][3]
Has 21st Century had safety issues?
A small 2021 mislabeling recall on Vitamin D3 was initiated and later terminated; no brand-specific FDA warning letter was found. [6]
Alternatives to Consider
Nature Made (USP Verified lines)
Many SKUs carry the USP Verified Mark—independent checks for potency, contaminants, and dissolution.
Price:Often mid-priced vs. 21st Century but still widely affordable.
Choose when:When label accuracy and dissolution verification matter more than the absolute lowest price. [^21a][^21b]
Kirkland Signature (USP Verified multi lines)
USP Verified and strong value per tablet at warehouse clubs.
Price:Comparable or slightly higher per-day than 21st Century depending on item/pack size.
Choose when:If you want both low cost and USP verification. [^21c]
What Customers Say
Budget seekers praise low prices; effectiveness expectations remain basic.
Common across mass-retail listings and deal threads.
"some brands that are affordable... 21st century." [18]
"110-count 5000 IU D3... $3.30 w/ Subscribe & Save" (deal post). [23]
Great for commodity nutrients if you value price over premium forms or third-party verification.
Mixed product satisfaction in forums.
Scattered reports positive/negative; not brand-wide issues.
"I bought cinnamon... I think it's garbage." [17]
Expect variability typical of budget generics; consider verified alternatives for sensitive use cases.
Service responses exist when consumers escalate (BBB).
Low complaint volume; recent complaint resolved.
"My last two bottles... upset stomach... I stopped taking them." (resolved case).
Customer service engages and resolves isolated issues. [4]
Value Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Aggressive mass-market value; frequent 'compare vs' NBE positioning against national brands.
Ingredient Cost Reality
Mostly standard forms (e.g., cyanocobalamin, dl-alpha tocopherol, magnesium oxide in some SKUs), enabling low BOM costs.
Markup Analysis
At $11.44–$13.99 for 100-count multis, per-day cost is ~$0.11–$0.14, often <50% of premium brands' daily cost. [14][15]
Excellent value for staples; if you want third-party product verification (e.g., USP Verified) or advanced forms, pay more with alternatives. [21][^21a]
Key Findings
Third-party GMP oversight is real: UL lists 21st Century HealthCare with a current Part 111 GMP certificate; an ANSI 455-2 certificate (the newer, tougher GMP benchmark) appears in a retailer's TraceGains portal through 2026. [2][3]
Transparency gap for consumers: despite ISO 17025 lab claims and strong GMP posture, 21st Century does not publish batch COAs or lot-level test data on product pages. [1]
Limited regulatory friction: no brand-specific FDA warning letter found, but one small 2021 mislabeling recall for Vitamin D3 was executed and terminated—consistent with responsible corrective action. [6]
Best Products We Found
One Daily Women's 50+ (100 tablets)
Multivitamin • Commonly $11–$14 for 100 tabs (~$0.11–$0.14/day) at mass retail.
Strength:High value daily multi covering core vitamins/minerals; widely available.
Weakness:Uses standard forms (e.g., cyanocobalamin, dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate); not USP Verified.
Good budget multi if you want basics at low cost; if you require third-party product verification (USP), consider alternatives.
Vitamin C 500 mg (tablets)
Letter vitamin • Typically low cost per 500 mg tablet; value varies by retailer.
Strength:Simple, single-ingredient staple; gluten-free, non-GMO per label.
Weakness:No per-batch COA; standard tablet without disintegration data posted.
Solid low-cost C; if you want dissolution/COA proof, look for USP Verified alternatives.
Fish Oil 1000 mg (omega-3 300 mg)
Omega-3 • Low per-softgel cost; common in pharmacies and grocers.
Strength:States purification to eliminate mercury; clear omega-3 content disclosure.
Weakness:Lower concentration (300 mg omega-3 per 1000 mg oil) vs. concentrated fish oils; no posted COA/heavy-metal report.
Good budget omega-3; heavy users may prefer higher-concentrate or USP/IFOS-verified options.
Products to Approach Cautiously
GLP-1 Daily Support
Metabolic support blend • Varies; typically premium vs. standard vitamins.
Issue:Name risks implying support of a specific hormone pathway (GLP-1) despite being a general botanical/probiotic blend; no clinicals on the finished product.
Marketing-forward; consider evidence-backed single-ingredient options if targeting glycemic support.
Advanced Probiotic (20B CFU, 6 strains)
Probiotic • Value pricing vs. specialty probiotics.
Issue:Guarantee is 'at time of manufacture'—viability to expiration not promised.
If you want label-claim CFUs at expiry, pick brands stating 'guaranteed through expiration.'
ImmuBlast Chewables (Airborne-style)
Immune blend chewables • Budget alternative to name-brand effervescents/chewables.
Issue:3 g added sugar per 4-tablet serving; 'compare vs Airborne' positioning over substance; generic blend.
Cheap and convenient, but sugar and generic formula make it easy to skip.
Red Flags
Labeling recall (Vitamin D3 front-panel strength mismatch)
Class II recall F-0543-2021: small lot of D3 5000 IU bottles mislabeled as 1000 IU on front; back label correct; recall terminated. [6]
Frequency:Single event cited (May 2021), AZ distribution; firm-initiated.
Company Response:Voluntary recall; terminated by FDA.
CFU guarantee only at time of manufacture (probiotics)
Product page language indicates 'guaranteed at time of manufacture,' not through expiration. [10]
Frequency:Applies to at least one flagship probiotic.
Company Response:None posted.
Expert Perspectives
USP's Dietary Supplement Verification Mark signifies label accuracy, contaminant limits, proper dissolution, and GMP compliance; 21st Century products generally do not carry this mark. [21][^21a]
Company Background
Ownership:Privately held; founded and led by Steven (Steve) Snyder per company and corporate listings. Headquarters and manufacturing in Tempe, Arizona. [9][19]
Founded:1991, Tempe, Arizona. [1][20]
Headquarters:Tempe, AZ; addresses around S. Wilson St. and W. Alameda Dr.; global distribution to 50+ countries (per brand). [1][16][19]
Market Position:One of the larger US supplement manufacturers, selling house brands and private label with budget pricing across mass retail (Walmart, Target, Kroger). [1][14][15][16]
Regulatory Record:No FDA warning letter located specific to 21st Century supplements; one terminated Class II recall (May 2021) for Vitamin D3 bottles mislabeled as 1000 IU on front label while back label showed 5000 IU; recall was firm-initiated and limited (AZ). BBB rating A+ with 1 complaint in 3 years, resolved. [6][4][5]
Certifications & Memberships
- UL Solutions GMP (21 CFR Part 111) – current listing for 21st Century HealthCare, Inc.
- ANSI 455-2 Dietary Supplements GMP – certificate uploaded to TraceGains (valid through 2026)
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017 laboratory – claimed on brand site
- 21 CFR Part 111 compliance – stated
Investigation Methodology
- Analysis of certification directories (UL/ANSI), brand disclosures, product labels, recall databases, BBB files, employee-review platforms, retail pricing pages, and consumer forums
- Corroborated with regulatory context (DSHEA) and industry references.
Sources & References
- 1.About Us – 21st Century HealthCare (claims: ISO 17025 lab, GMP, certifications) (2025)[Brand site] [link]
- 2.UL Solutions – Certified Client Listing (21st Century HealthCare, Inc., Part 111 GMP) (2025)[Certification directory] [link]
- 3.TraceGains Gather – 21st Century HealthCare (ANSI 455-2 certificate uploaded, exp. 2026) (2024)[Supplier portal] [link]
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- 6.FDA Recall Report – Twenty-First Century Healthcare, Inc. (F-0543-2021, Vitamin D3 mislabel) (2021)[Recall aggregation of FDA data] [link]
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- 18.Reddit r/TanongLang – budget brand recommendations (includes 21st Century) (2025)[Consumer forum] [link]
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- 21.USP – Dietary Supplement Verification Program (what USP Verified means) (2025)[Standards body] [link]
- 21.Nature Made explainer – what USP Verified means (brand with many USP SKUs) (2025)[Brand explainer] [link]
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