Kirkman: Testing powerhouse with a checkered past—and a noticeable transparency upgrade
Kirkman publicly posts lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COAs) for its new P2i prenatal—rare in the supplement world—backed by an 'Ultra Tested' protocol that uses ISO 17025 labs and parts-per-billion methods. Yet the brand also carries a regulatory paper trail: a 2016 FDA warning letter (fluoride drugs) and recalls tied to contaminated inputs, including antimony-tainted stevia in 2009.
Our Verdict
Comprehensive analysis shows a genuinely mixed picture. On one hand, Kirkman's Ultra Tested protocol, use of ISO-17025 labs, and the decision to post lot-specific COAs on P2i set a higher-than-average bar for supplement purity and transparency. On the other, the brand's file includes a 2016 FDA warning letter (fluoride drugs) and two recall clusters tied to supplier contamination (2009 antimony via stevia; 2013 chloramphenicol raw-material risk). Taken together, Kirkman looks like a specialized manufacturer that learned from past lapses and has invested in more rigorous testing—especially for sensitive populations—but still hasn't extended public COAs across the catalog. For consumers, that translates to: strong pick when you need hypoallergenic formulations and want more contaminant testing than usual—just verify the COA where available and keep an eye on formulations (e.g., DHEA in certain multis). [1][2][3][4][9][10][11]
How we investigated:We mapped Kirkman's supplement-specific quality claims against hard evidence: site-posted testing protocols, COAs, GMP statements, FDA records (warning letters, recalls), ownership filings, independent coverage, and user patterns (Glassdoor/Indeed/Reddit). We then priced flagship items against market norms and weighed value, innovation, and transparency to build a plain-English verdict for supplement buyers.
Ideal For
- Parents and clinicians who need hypoallergenic formulas with extra contaminant testing
- Prenatal buyers who want to see their lot's COA
- Users sensitive to excipients (colors/flavors/preservatives)
Avoid If
- You want every product's COA publicly posted (only some lots/products show COAs today)
- You prefer rock-bottom pricing for basics (magnesium, single-vitamins)
- You must avoid hormone-related actives (e.g., DHEA in some multis)
Best Products
- P2i Prenatal Multivitamin & Multimineral (public COAs)
- Magnesium Bisglycinate (value for a clean glycinate)
- Super Nu-Thera (hypoallergenic legacy multi)
Skip These
- General multis with DHEA unless medically indicated
- Legacy flavored liquids/powders from 2009 recall era (historical note)
What to Watch For
FDA has initiated steps to remove ingestible fluoride drug products for children from the market (targeting late-2025 actions). While this doesn't affect supplements like vitamins/minerals, it underscores the agency's renewed posture on unapproved drug products—a relevant backdrop given Kirkman's 2016 letter. [21]
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Kirkman publish COAs for all products?
Not today. We found public lot COAs for the P2i prenatal line; other items rely on internal testing claims without posted lot PDFs. Always ask support for your lot's COA. [4]
Is Kirkman cGMP certified?
The company states it is cGMP-certified and FDA-registered; certifying body isn't named on site pages we reviewed. [3][5]
How does 'ISO 17025' help me as a consumer?
It means the third-party labs performing Kirkman's tests are accredited to a standard courts accept—think 'crime-lab-level methods' for supplements. [2]
Should the 2009/2013 recalls worry me today?
They're history, but they prove why COAs and rigorous supplier testing matter. Use brands that show their work—Kirkman is starting to with P2i. [10][11]
What's with DHEA in a multivitamin?
DHEA is a hormone; some multis include it for niche goals, but it's not broadly appropriate. Check with your clinician—especially if drug-tested in sport. [17]
Alternatives to Consider
NOW Foods
Aggressive in-house and third-party testing; ISO-accredited labs; strong value pricing.
Price:Often lower cost per mg than practitioner brands.
Choose when:Budget-sensitive shoppers who still want heavy testing and broad retail access. [15]
Pure Encapsulations
NSF-GMP registered manufacturing; extensive contaminant testing; hypoallergenic positioning similar to Kirkman.
Price:Typically higher than mass-market brands.
Choose when:Clinician-guided protocols where NSF-GMP registration and consistent formulations are priorities. [19][20]
What Customers Say
Transparency praise around testing, with isolated quality-control complaints
Light but consistent mentions across forums/reviews
> They test for hazardous substances very rigorously. Is this a brand you can trust? [Reddit user] [13]
"It is a good environment, but can be stressful because of workload and lack of personnel." [Indeed review] [8]
Shoppers value rigorous testing but still want predictable capsule fills and broad COA access.
Workplace reviews are mixed (culture/management variability)
Small sample size, divergent views
> Toxic environment... nepotism. [Glassdoor review] [8]
"Quality counts... collaborative, quality-focused." [Indeed review] [8]
Culture shifts during ownership transitions can affect consistency; continue to watch execution quality.
Value Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Value-to-mid premium. Staples like magnesium bisglycinate price well against practitioner lines; specialized items (e.g., chewable CoQ10) skew premium. [18][12]
Ingredient Cost Reality
Glycinate minerals (Albion-style chelates) and hypoallergenic excipients typically cost more than commodity blends; testing overhead raises COGS.
Markup Analysis
Where public COAs are provided (P2i), the transparency premium feels justified; where COAs aren't posted, shoppers are comparing against NOW/Doctor's Best/KAL price anchors highlighted by community threads. [15]
Above-average value when you specifically need hypoallergenic formats plus tighter contaminant testing; otherwise, mainstream value brands may be cheaper for basic nutrients.
Key Findings
Kirkman's 'Ultra Tested' program is unusually detailed for supplements: identity testing plus microbials, pesticides, and extensive heavy metal panels at ppb levels through ISO-17025 labs. Translation: they test more, and more sensitively, than the minimum rules require. [1][2]
A real transparency step: Kirkman publicly posts batch-specific COAs on its P2i prenatal product page (multiple lot links visible). Most brands don't publish lot COAs. [4]
Documented issues exist: a 2016 FDA warning letter (fluoride 'supplements' marketed as unapproved drugs) and two separate recall eras—2009 (antimony from stevia) and 2013 (chloramphenicol risk in a supplier raw material). These don't implicate current lots but establish historical risk patterns. [9][11][10]
Ownership has shifted (Hemptown acquisition; later brand transfer to Functional Brands). Such changes can affect priorities and resourcing, so watch continuity of quality practices. [5][6][7]
Pricing/value looks mixed-to-good: example—Magnesium Bisglycinate 180-count at $22.50 and 250-count at $45.50 are competitive for an 'unbuffered/bisglycinate' position; premium items like chewable CoQ10 land on the higher side. [18]
Best Products We Found
P2i Prenatal Multivitamin & Multimineral
Prenatal • $34.95/120 ct (30-day supply) at time of review
Strength:Public lot-level COAs; claims testing for 24 heavy metals, 120 pesticides/chemicals, 9 allergens; straightforward formula with choline and methylfolate.
Weakness:COAs currently published for this line only; we did not find public COAs for the broader catalog.
Transparency standout for pregnancy use—rare COA access earns trust. Confirm your lot's COA and discuss iron/choline needs with your clinician.
Super Nu-Thera (hypoallergenic, no A & D)
Multivitamin/mineral (high-B6) • $67.00/300 caps
Strength:Longstanding niche multivitamin for sensitive users; hypoallergenic excipient profile.
Weakness:No public lot COAs; relies on brand testing assurances.
Solid legacy option for those needing minimal additives; would benefit from posted COAs like the prenatal.
Magnesium Bisglycinate (caps/powder)
Mineral • $22.50/180 caps (100 mg Mg each); $45.50/250 caps; $24.50/4 oz powder
Strength:Gentle glycinate form; competitive pricing versus many practitioner brands; hypoallergenic positioning.
Weakness:Community reports of capsule fill variability exist (occasional manufacturing variance).
Good value per mg for a clean bisglycinate; if you notice inconsistent fills, contact support for replacement.
Products to Approach Cautiously
Historical flavored liquids/powders (2009)—multi SKUs
Legacy recall context • N/A (historic)
Issue:2009 voluntary recall tied to antimony contamination traced to stevia lots; a serious quality lapse for a sensitive-user brand.
Past event; not indicative of current lots but part of the brand's true history.
Biofilm Defense & certain enzyme SKUs (2013)
Recall context • N/A (historic)
Issue:Chloramphenicol-related supplier risk triggered Class II recalls in multiple lots.
Another supplier-origin risk that reinforces why today's lot-level COAs matter.
Men's Multivitamin & Mineral (contains DHEA)
General multivitamin • Varies on site
Issue:Includes DHEA—an adrenal hormone not appropriate for many users unless medically indicated; potential regulatory/sport testing implications.
Not a routine 'one-size-fits-all' multi—consult your clinician, especially if drug-tested or with hormone-sensitive conditions.
Red Flags
Transparency Issues
Past contaminant-related recalls and an FDA warning letter (fluoride drugs) contrast with present-day testing claims and a public COA pilot, creating a brand narrative of improvement rather than a spotless record. [9][10][11]
Company Background
Ownership:Kirkman's operating assets were acquired by Hemptown Organics (2019). SEC filings indicate the Kirkman brand was transferred to Functional Brands Inc. in May 2023 within a structure originally tied to Hemptown; Functional Brands disclosed its Kirkman brand interest in subsequent S-1/A filings. [5][6][7]
Founded:Founded in 1949 in Seattle; moved to Oregon in 1967. [16]
Headquarters:Lake Oswego, Oregon; owns/operates a nutraceutical facility described as FDA-registered and cGMP-certified (25,000 sq ft). [5][6]
Market Position:Historically focused on hypoallergenic formulas and support for sensitive populations (e.g., autism community), now promoting heightened purity claims and a new prenatal line with public COAs. [1][4][16]
Regulatory Record:Notable items: (1) FDA warning letter (Jan 13, 2016) to Kirkman Laboratories regarding unapproved prescription fluoride drug products; (2) 2013 Class II recalls tied to chloramphenicol contamination risk in a supplier raw material; (3) 2009 voluntary recalls after antimony contamination traced to stevia lots used in flavored products. [9][10][11]
Investigation Methodology
Document review of FDA databases (warning letters/recalls), SEC filings, company quality pages and product COAs, third-party recognition, business directories, employee and consumer sentiment (Glassdoor/Indeed/Reddit), and price checks on Kirkman product pages. Focus remained strictly on supplement manufacturing, testing, transparency, value, and consumer relevance.
Sources & References
- 1.
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- 6.Functional Brands S-1/A excerpt noting Kirkman brand transfer (2023–2025 filings) (2025)[SEC] [link]
- 7.
- 8.
- 9.FDA—Actions to Remove Unapproved Drugs by Company: Kirkman Laboratories (warning letter Jan 13, 2016) (2024)[FDA] [link]
- 10.
- 11.Spokesman-Review reporting on 2009 Kirkman antimony/stevia recall and subsequent expanded testing claims (2012)[news] [link]
- 12.
- 13.
- 14.
- 15.
- 16.
- 17.
- 18.
- 19.
- 20.
- 21.HHS/FDA—Initiating action to remove ingestible fluoride drug products for children (May 13, 2025) (2025)[HHS/FDA] [link]