Nature's Answer: testing-forward heritage extractor with a fixed FDA stumble and only modest transparency
Our Verdict
Comprehensive analysis shows a brand with real manufacturing chops (NSF-GMP, in-house labs, long experience) and authentic extraction/identity know-how. Nature's Answer also demonstrated the ability to correct course—an FDA safety letter was closed out after fixes. But transparency to consumers remains only moderate (no routine online COAs), and the catalog still includes colloidal silver, which major medical sources advise against ingesting. For most mainstream botanicals—especially alcohol-free liquids—Nature's Answer offers good value and credible quality. For maximum transparency or published lot-level results, choose Gaia; for deep third-party/ISO lab testing culture across categories, NOW Foods is a strong alternative. [4][1][2][5][12][26].
How we investigated:We followed the paperwork and the patterns: FDA letters and closeouts, California Prop 65 court records, NSF's GMP directory, company technical pages and trademarks, patent filings around their extraction science, independent pricing, and real-world sentiment from employee and customer reviews. That trail paints a nuanced picture—credible manufacturing, genuine process know-how, and competitive prices for glycerin-based liquid extracts, but only moderate public transparency (no routine online COAs) and a few product categories we don't recommend (notably colloidal silver). [3][4][5][6][7][8][14][15][20][21].
Ideal For
- Shoppers who want alcohol-free (glycerite) liquid extracts
- Budget-conscious buyers comparing against premium tincture brands
- Elderberry fans open to newer delivery formats (e.g., DuoCap)
Avoid If
- You require public batch COAs/QR traceability on every product
- You want brands that avoid controversial categories like colloidal silver
- You only use brands with published clinical trials on finished supplements
Best Products
What to Watch For
Watch for expanded batch-level transparency (public COAs), continued elderberry and respiratory line extensions, and whether the brand exits controversial categories like colloidal silver to align with mainstream medical guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nature's Answer NSF-GMP certified?
Yes—NSF's directory lists Bio-Botanica and the Nature's Answer addresses as GMP-registered facilities, indicating audited compliance with supplement GMPs. [4].
Did Nature's Answer have FDA issues?
Yes, an FDA warning in 2021 over cesium chloride in Coral Calcium; FDA issued a closeout in 2022 after corrections. Older 2013 claims issues also exist. [1][2][3].
Does Nature's Answer publish COAs?
We did not find routine, public batch COAs. The brand describes robust in-house testing but doesn't offer lot-lookup like Gaia's platform. [5][12].
Is colloidal silver safe?
No—major medical sources and FDA-aligned guidance advise against oral colloidal silver due to argyria and other risks; it's not proven effective. [21][22].
How does Nature's Answer's pricing compare?
Singles like Echinacea 1-oz often run ~$13–16 for NA vs. ~$16–18 for Herb Pharm—comparable or slightly lower for NA, especially in alcohol-free glycerites. [17].
Alternatives to Consider
Gaia Herbs
Best-in-class public transparency—batch-lookup with test results (Meet/Know Your Herbs) and strong farm-to-shelf identity work.
Price:Often similar or slightly higher on single-herb liquids.
Choose when:If you want public COAs/identity data per lot and don't mind paying a small premium. [12][25].
Herb Pharm
Deep single-herb portfolio, organic farming, reputable identity testing; consistent quality.
Price:Often $16–$18 per 1-oz vs. ~$13–$16 for comparable Nature's Answer SKUs.
Choose when:If you prefer alcohol tinctures and a long-established herbal specialist. [17].
NOW Foods (selected botanicals and vitamins)
Extensive in-house and third-party testing; ISO-accredited labs; strong value across categories.
Price:Generally value-priced; varies by SKU.
Choose when:If you prioritize documented testing depth and broad vitamin/mineral lines alongside botanicals. [26].
What Customers Say
Effectiveness varies by product; taste/experience polarizing for some liquids (e.g., Mullein-X).
Anecdotal across retail reviews; both strong praise and strong dislike reported.
"Creates coughing, but I think it works." [Amazon review] [16].
"Bad taste but it works great!!" [Amazon review] [16].
Expect variability with complex herbals; consider starting with a single bottle to assess fit.
Customer service experiences appear mixed.
Small review samples show both praise and unresolved complaints.
"Great customer service! Friendly and helpful staff." [15].
"I'm 99% sure that I have received sweet soy sauce instead of licorice root." [15].
Buy from retailers with easy returns and keep order documentation.
Employee sentiment mixed at the affiliate manufacturer (Bio-Botanica).
Indeed/Glassdoor reviews show both positive and negative experiences.
"Productive workplace." [Indeed] [14].
"Not a nice place to work... no support from management." [Indeed] [14].
Not directly predictive of product quality, but useful cultural context.
Value Analysis
Pricing Strategy
Mid-market pricing with frequent alcohol-free (glycerite) options; elderberry/singles undercut or match leading tincture brands.
Ingredient Cost Reality
Botanical glycerites and simple single-herbs keep costs moderate; DuoCap combinations price at a premium.
Markup Analysis
Comparable to Herb Pharm/Gaia on singles; premium for technology/formulation (e.g., DuoCap elderberry+probiotic).
Key Findings
Manufacturing credibility is strong: both Bio-Botanica and Nature's Answer are listed as NSF-GMP registered facilities (a high bar that includes ongoing audits). That's a meaningful quality signal for supplement buyers. [4].
Real extraction know-how, but not much published clinical data: proprietary cold extraction (Bio-Chelated) and Advanced Botanical Fingerprint identity testing are core to their brand; they've also used DuoCap technology in a Sambucus + Probiotic product. Patents filed by founder Frank D'Amelio Sr. support long-standing R&D in botanicals. Still, we found no clinical trials on their supplements. [6][5][7][8].
Regulatory trajectory shows a notable fix: a 2021 FDA warning letter over cesium chloride in Coral Calcium (safety/NDI issues) was officially closed out by FDA in 2022 after corrective actions. Older (2013) FDA claims issues and Prop 65 settlements also exist. We view the pattern as "a significant mid-course correction," not a chronic failure. [1][2][3][10].
Transparency is only moderate: the company describes extensive in-house testing and identity work but does not routinely publish batch-level Certificates of Analysis (COAs) online for consumers, unlike top transparency leaders. [5].
Value is solid, especially for alcohol-free liquids: 1-oz Echinacea extracts typically land around $13–16 for Nature's Answer vs. ~$16–18 for Herb Pharm—close, but NA often undercuts while offering glycerin-based options. [17].
Best Products We Found
Mullein-X Cough Syrup (and Mullein-X throat spray)
Respiratory support • Typically ~$15–$25
Strength:Alcohol-free multi-herb demulcent/expectorant concept; strong consumer traction and many positive anecdotes; glass packaging. [13][16].
Weakness:Taste polarizing and effects inconsistent per reviews; claims limited to dietary-supplement language (not an OTC drug). [16][18].
Reasonable to try for those who prefer herbal demulcents; manage expectations on taste and results.
Sambucus + Probiotic DuoCap
Immune support • $35–$40 for 60 "DuoCaps," premium vs. standard elderberry syrups/capsules.
Strength:Innovative 2-in-1 capsule with elderberry liquid outside and probiotic inside; Thermoshield bottle for stability. [18][13].
Weakness:No published third-party potency data or clinical outcomes on the finished product.
Interesting delivery idea if you want elderberry + probiotic together; still limited transparency on batch data.
Cranberry Alcohol-Free (1 oz, 10,000 mg herb eq.)
Urinary tract support • About $15–$18 per 1 oz; competitive with peers.
Strength:Non-GMO Project Verified and alcohol-free; high labeled herb equivalent per serving. [19].
Weakness:No posted lot COAs; clinical benefit depends on dose/form and individual response.
A fair value glycerite cranberry for users who prefer alcohol-free extracts.
Products to Approach Cautiously
Coral Calcium (with cesium chloride; past formulation)
Mineral supplement (legacy issue) • Discontinued/changed formulation after FDA action.
Issue:Cesium chloride flagged as an unsafe, unnotified new dietary ingredient and associated with cardiac risk; FDA issued a warning in 2021 and later closed out after corrective action in 2022. [1][2].
Avoid any legacy stock; the episode is notable as a corrected safety lapse.
Korean Ginseng (specific lots, historical)
Herbal capsule • Standard single-herb pricing.
Issue:California Prop 65 action over lead exposure (2015) ended with settlement requiring warnings and reformulation/testing for CA sales. [10].
Modern lots may be compliant, but the history is a transparency consideration.
Colloidal Silver Liquid (listed on site)
"Immune" supplement—oral silver • ~$19.99 for 4 oz (site listing).
Issue:FDA and major medical sources advise against oral colloidal silver due to argyria and other risks; not proven effective for any condition. [20][21][22].
We recommend avoiding oral colloidal silver altogether.
Red Flags
Past FDA safety non-compliance (cesium chloride in Coral Calcium); corrected in 2022
FDA warning letter (May 5, 2021) and closeout letter (May 16, 2022). [1][2].
Frequency:Single prominent case; later remediation documented.
Company Response:Corrections acknowledged by FDA via closeout letter.
California Prop 65 lead settlements on select products
2014–2017 Prop 65 case records including a 2015 settlement requiring warnings/reformulation/testing. [10][11].
Frequency:Multiple actions within the same consolidated case.
Company Response:Agreed to injunctive relief and penalties per settlement documents.
Modest transparency for consumers
No routine public posting of batch COAs despite extensive in-house testing claims. [5].
Frequency:Ongoing status at time of review.
Company Response:Describes robust internal QA/QC and fingerprinting methods.
Expert Perspectives
NSF-GMP listing itself is a strong third-party signal of manufacturing controls in supplements. [4].
Transparency Issues
A 2021 FDA warning for an unsafe ingredient (cesium chloride) in a supplement—subsequently corrected—and multiple Prop 65 lead actions in California mid-2010s; no recent large-scale recalls were found. [1][2][10][11].
Company Background
Ownership:Nature's Answer is described in brand footers as "a division of Bio Answer Holdings Inc." and operates alongside Bio-Botanica in Hauppauge, NY, a long-running family business founded by the D'Amelio family. Addresses for Nature's Answer (75/85 Commerce Dr, Hauppauge, NY) match corporate listings and contact pages. [23].
Founded:1972; family-owned herbal extractor and supplement maker. [6][9].
Headquarters:Hauppauge, New York (75–85 Commerce Drive campus). [23].
Market Position:Legacy U.S. herbal extract specialist with a wide range of glycerin-based, alcohol-free liquids, standardized capsules, Sambucus line extensions, and respiratory products (Mullein-X). Prices are generally mid-market vs. Herb Pharm/Gaia. [12][17][18].
Regulatory Record:Key events: (1) FDA warning letter (2013) regarding drug-like claims on multiple products; (2) FDA warning letter (May 5, 2021) over cesium chloride listed in Coral Calcium (an unsafe, unnotified new dietary ingredient); (3) FDA closeout letter (May 16, 2022) stating violations were addressed; (4) California Prop 65 actions (2014–2017) leading to warnings/reformulation/testing commitments for certain products such as Korean Ginseng. [3][1][2][10][11][12].
Investigation Methodology
Analysis of FDA warning and closeout letters, California Prop 65 notices/settlements, NSF-GMP certification listings, patent and trademark databases, official brand/affiliate websites, third-party retail pricing, and aggregated consumer/employee feedback from reputable platforms. We emphasized supplement-specific quality signals (GMP, testing, COAs, formulations), regulatory history, value, and transparency.
Sources & References
- 1.FDA Warning Letter – Bio-Botanica/Nature's Answer (Cesium chloride in Coral Calcium), May 5, 2021 (2021)[FDA letter] [link]
- 2.
- 3.FDA Warning Letter (2013) – disease claims (archived via Quackwatch) (2013)[FDA letter (archive)] [link]
- 4.NSF International – GMP Registered Listings (Bio-Botanica & Nature's Answer addresses) (2025)[Certification directory] [link]
- 5.Nature's Answer – Quality Promise (claims: FDA registered, NSF-GMP, ISO Food Safety) (2025)[Company page] [link]
- 6.
- 7.Nature's Answer – Innovations (incl. DuoCap elderberry + probiotic) (2025)[Company technical page] [link]
- 8.
- 9.WholeFoods Magazine – In Memoriam: Frank D'Amelio (background on Bio-Chelation & Fingerprint) (2021)[Trade press] [link]
- 10.California Prop 65 Settlement – The Chemical Toxin Working Group v. Nature's Answer (Korean Ginseng; 2017 settlement) (2017)[Court/AG record] [link]
- 11.California Prop 65 Complaint/Notices – Environmental Research Center v. Nature's Answer (2014) (2014)[Court/AG record] [link]
- 12.Gaia Herbs – Know/Meet Your Herbs (lot-level transparency platform) (2025)[Competitor transparency] [link]
- 13.
- 14.
- 15.Birdeye – Nature's Answer location reviews (customer service anecdotes) (2021)[Retail/location reviews] [link]
- 16.
- 17.
- 18.
- 19.
- 20.Nature's Answer – Natural Solutions Immune Support (catalog shows Colloidal Silver Liquid) (2025)[Company catalog page] [link]
- 21.Mayo Clinic – Colloidal silver: not safe or effective (argyria and other risks) (2023)[Medical guidance] [link]
- 22.Poison Control – What is colloidal silver? FDA recommends against use (2024)[Medical guidance] [link]
- 23.Nature's Answer Contact/Legal Footer – "a division of Bio Answer Holdings Inc." (2023)[Company page] [link]
- 24.Glassdoor – Bio-Botanica company overview (Nature's Answer consumer brand noted) (2025)[Company profile] [link]
- 25.
- 26.NOW Foods – Comprehensive testing overview (ISO accreditation; 31k tests/month) (2025)[Company quality] [link]