Jarrow Formulas: Probiotic testing leader inside a conventional transparency playbook
Our Verdict
The truth about Jarrow as a supplement company: it's a probiotic testing standout nested in a conventional transparency model. The IPRO certification and NSF-listed manufacturing are meaningful quality markers, and the strains behind Fem-Dophilus and Jarro-Dophilus Infant are backed by peer-reviewed data. At the same time, Jarrow does not broadly publish COAs for most products, and prices can be modestly higher than value-centric peers for commodities. Regulatory risk appears low (no warning letters; one minor recall; a withdrawn Prop 65 notice). Net-net: a trustworthy mainstream brand—especially strong for probiotics—delivering fair value with room to lead on public transparency.
How we investigated:We reviewed regulatory records, certification databases, lawsuits, recalls, awards, product science, pricing, and real customer reports. The pattern: strong probiotic quality signals and credible GMP manufacturing; limited public test transparency across most products; value generally fair; no FDA warning letters and only a small labeling recall on NAC.
Ideal For
- Shoppers who want clinically documented probiotic strains and credible GMP manufacturing.
- Users seeking branded actives (e.g., Kaneka Ubiquinol, BioPQQ) in ready-made combos.
- Consumers who value long brand history and awards.
Avoid If
- You need public COAs for every batch—Jarrow usually does not publish them outside IPRO probiotics.
- You're strictly price-driven on commodity vitamins (value peers may be cheaper).
- You want vegetarian/vegan calcium without bovine-derived MCHA (choose Vegetarian BoneUp or an algae-based calcium).
Best Products
- Fem-Dophilus (GR-1/RC-14)
- Jarro-Dophilus Infant (B. infantis M-63)
- QH-absorb + PQQ
Skip These
- NAC 500 mg recalled lot (2020) if encountered in secondary channels.
What to Watch For
Watch whether Vytalogy pushes broader COA access, expands IPRO-style certifications beyond probiotics, or introduces more patented delivery systems. Keep buying from authorized sellers; expect DTC purchases to route to retail partners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Jarrow publish Certificates of Analysis (COAs)?
Generally no for most products; their probiotics carry IPRO certification (a third-party testing program). Ask customer service for batch data when needed. [1][15]
Is Jarrow manufactured in GMP facilities?
Yes. Jarrow Industries is listed by NSF for dietary supplement GMP in Santa Fe Springs, CA. [2]
Any major safety issues or FDA warnings?
No recent FDA warning letters found. A 2020 NAC mislabel recall was terminated; a 2017 Prop 65 notice was withdrawn. [8][9]
How does Jarrow's value compare?
Commodity items (e.g., B-12) can cost more than NOW; probiotic and branded-ingredient SKUs offer stronger justification for the premium. [23][24]
Best places to buy?
Authorized retailers (e.g., iHerb, major chains). DTC checkout on Jarrow.com is limited or redirects to partners. [21]
Alternatives to Consider
NOW Foods
Aggressive pricing with extensive in-house and third-party testing; ISO-accredited labs; broad retail availability.
Price:Often 10–30% less for commodity SKUs (e.g., B-12).
Choose when:Budget-minded shoppers prioritizing value with robust testing claims. [25][26]
Klaire Labs (Ther-Biotic line)
Practitioner-grade probiotics with detailed strain listings and targeted formulas.
Price:Generally higher than Jarrow per CFU.
Choose when:Individuals needing specialized multi-strain protocols under clinician guidance. [27]
What Customers Say
Probiotic satisfaction, especially Jarro-Dophilus EPS and women's/infant lines; some users report meaningful benefits.
Recurring in community threads and retailer reviews (qualitative).
"Currently, I'm trying Jarro-Dophilus EPS... good diversity of well-studied strains."
"Jarrow Lactoferrin... profound calm... I decided to cycle it."
Evidence-aligned strains resonate with users, consistent with the IPRO/testing emphasis. [19]
Convenience and value drive brand loyalty; some complaints about pricing and occasional fulfillment issues on marketplaces.
Scattered reviews—Trustpilot and Reddit.
"I trust this brand... they use quality ingredients."
"Empty capsules purchased on Amazon... no recourse."
Buy from authorized sellers to reduce marketplace issues; pricing is mid-market to premium depending on SKU. [20]
Direct-to-consumer ordering reduced; shoppers routed to retail partners (iHerb, etc.).
Thread in r/Supplements (2024).
"...now when I go to their site, it lists places that have them like Vitacost or Instacart..."
Plan to purchase via authorized retailers rather than Jarrow.com checkout. [21]
Value Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Mid-market with selective premiums for branded actives and clinically documented strains.
Ingredient Cost Reality
Use of branded ingredients (Kaneka Ubiquinol, BioPQQ; Astarte/Chr. Hansen strains) increases input costs vs generics. [17][22]
Markup Analysis
Example: Methyl B-12 5,000 mcg 60 lozenges—Jarrow often retails ~$20–$24 on Amazon (~$0.35–$0.39/lozenge) vs NOW Foods 5,000 mcg at ~$15.99 MSRP (~$0.27/lozenge), indicating a modest brand premium. [23][24]
Fair-to-good value: you typically pay a small premium for strain pedigree and branded actives; commodity vitamins may be cheaper from value-focused peers (e.g., NOW).
Most Surprising Finding
A mainstream shelf brand with an IPRO-certified probiotic portfolio—a certification tier more often seen in specialist lines. [1]
Key Findings
Probiotic quality signals are unusually strong for a mass-market brand: Jarrow's probiotic line joined Nutrasource's IPRO third-party certification, a program designed to verify strain documentation and publish lot-specific test results. [1]
Manufacturing credibility: Jarrow's sister manufacturer, Jarrow Industries, is listed by NSF for dietary supplement GMP with multiple registered sites in Santa Fe Springs, CA. [2]
Regulatory risk appears low: no FDA warning letters located; one small, labeling-only NAC recall in 2020 (terminated), and a Prop 65 lead notice in 2017 was withdrawn. [8][9]
Innovation is selective: Jarrow holds at least one U.S. patent related to producing activated folates via fungi (2010) and frequently uses clinically documented probiotic strains (e.g., GR-1/RC-14; B. infantis M-63) supported by peer-reviewed trials—though most trials are on supplier strains rather than Jarrow-run studies. [12][13][14]
Best Products We Found
Fem-Dophilus (GR-1/RC-14)
Women's probiotic • Typically ~$44–$48 for 60 caps at retailers; premium vs generic probiotics.
Strength:Uses two patented, clinically documented strains (L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14) with RCT evidence for supporting vaginal microbiota and as adjunct to BV therapy. [13]
Weakness:Premium price; most evidence is on strains in general, not head-to-head on this exact finished product.
Evidence-aligned choice for users seeking documented strains for vaginal/urinary support.
Jarro-Dophilus Infant (B. infantis M-63)
Infant probiotic (drops) • Premium infant probiotic; award-winning formulation.
Strength:Uses B. infantis M-63, a strain with clinical data in infants and established GRAS status; won NutraIngredients-USA 'Probiotic Product of the Year'. [10][14]
Weakness:As with all infant supplements, appropriate use requires pediatric guidance.
Strong infant-specific strain choice when a pediatrician recommends probiotic drops.
QH-absorb + PQQ
Mitochondrial support (ubiquinol + PQQ) • Mid-to-premium; ~$42–$60
Strength:Formulated with Kaneka Ubiquinol and BioPQQ—well-known, branded actives—with rationale for mitochondrial health. [17]
Weakness:Human outcome evidence is on ingredients, not on this combined finished product; price premium vs plain CoQ10.
Thoughtful ingredient pairing for users willing to pay extra for branded actives.
Products to Approach Cautiously
N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC) 500 mg (100 caps) – recalled lot 10/2020
Amino acid • N/A (recall event)
Issue:Mislabeling (product/strength swap) triggered a Class II recall. [8]
Isolated quality-system miss; resolved.
BoneUp (hydroxyapatite calcium, various sizes)
Bone health • Often competitively priced vs alternatives; varies by size.
Issue:California Prop 65 warnings may appear on some lots due to naturally occurring heavy metals in mineral/herbal inputs; Jarrow acknowledges this context on its site. [18]
Solid value for many; California buyers should expect Prop 65 labeling on some mineral/herbal products across the industry.
Red Flags
Prop 65 60-day notice alleging lead in a ginger product (2017)
California AG filing shows notice against Jarrow and Amazon; issuer later withdrew the notice on 9/15/2017. [9]
Frequency:Single documented notice; withdrawn.
Company Response:Brand provides Prop 65 explanation page and emphasizes testing. [18]
Isolated 2020 NAC mislabeling recall
Class II recall (terminated). [8]
Frequency:One event in recent years.
Company Response:Voluntary recall; ended.
Expert Perspectives
Transparency Issues
Historic litigation includes an Illinois probiotic class action that was dismissed (2018). Workplace sentiment on Glassdoor trends mixed. No pattern of FDA warnings. [29][30]
Company Background
Ownership:Jarrow Formulas is part of Vytalogy Wellness (Jarrow + Natrol), a portfolio company of private equity firm New Mountain Capital (Jarrow acquired Sept 2020; Natrol combined Nov 2020). [4][5]
Founded:Founded 1977 by Jarrow L. Rogovin in Los Angeles. [6]
Headquarters:Los Angeles, California (Robertson Blvd). [7]
Market Position:Long-standing multi-category supplement brand with particular strength in probiotics and bone health formulations (e.g., Jarro-Dophilus, BoneUp). Multiple industry awards including NutraIngredients-USA probiotic product of the year (Jarro-Dophilus Infant, 2018) and ConsumerLab customer-satisfaction recognition for probiotics. [10][11]
Regulatory Record:No FDA warning letters found. One Class II, terminated recall (Oct 2020) for NAC due to mislabeling; Prop 65 60-day notice for lead on a ginger product was filed then withdrawn in 2017. [8][9]
Certifications & Memberships
- NSF GMP listing for Jarrow Industries manufacturing facility (Santa Fe Springs, CA)
- IPRO (International Probiotic) certification for Jarrow's probiotic line
- Organic (QAI) at Jarrow Industries (for applicable lines)
Investigation Methodology
Analysis of regulatory filings, certification databases (NSF/IPRO), patent records, brand press releases, court dockets, recall databases, pricing at major retailers, third-party awards, and customer reports (Reddit, review sites). Sources are footnoted throughout.
Sources & References
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- 10.NutraIngredients-USA Awards – Probiotic Product of the Year: Jarro-Dophilus Infant (2018) (2018)[Industry award] [link]
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- 25.NOW Foods – Comprehensive Testing (31,000+ analyses/month; ISO-accredited labs) (2025)[Quality disclosure] [link]
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