Brand investigation Published Sep 28, 2025

Solaray

Solaray: Vertically integrated tester with real GMP credentials—held back by a transparency gap

Overall grade

F Poor

Our analysis confirms Solaray's parent manufacturing sites are NSF/ANSI 455-2 GMP–listed—a higher bar than basic cGMP—and the brand advertises extensive in-house testing down to 10 parts per billion for many contaminants. At the same time, Solaray does not routinely publish batch COAs for consumers and recently had a nationwide packaging recall on iron-containing multis for failing child-resistant requirements, revealing a brand that excels in lab rigor but lags in consumer-facing proof and packaging controls. ¹⁴⁵

Transparency

F 58/100

Poor

Scandal-Free

F 42/100

Poor

Innovation

F 55/100

Poor

Satisfaction

D 62/100

Mixed

Value

D 62/100

Mixed

The investigation

We reviewed regulatory listings (NSF, CPSC), company technical pages, retail pricing, consumer forums, and legacy legal records. The evidence paints a consistent pattern: credible manufacturing controls and scale, selective product innovation (enteric-coated probiotics, a patent-pending dry liposomal multi), but a public-testing gap and isolated compliance stumbles. ¹⁴¹⁶

Key findings

What our investigation surfaced

01

Verified higher-bar GMP: Solaray's parent, Nutraceutical Corporation, appears on NSF/ANSI 455-2 GMP listings for its Ogden, UT facilities—a meaningful upgrade from generic cGMP claims. ⁴²¹
02

Heavy in-house testing, but limited public COAs: Solaray advertises 15,000 tests/month, 580+ protocols, and contaminant screens to 10 ppb, yet does not routinely publish batch Certificates of Analysis; consumers often must request them and reports are inconsistent. ¹¹²⁹
03

Real recall, packaging control gap: A 2023 CPSC recall covered ~85,300 bottles of Solaray liposomal multivitamins for lacking child-resistant packaging for iron, indicating a packaging compliance miss (not a formula purity issue). ⁵
04

Selective innovation vs. clinical proof: Notable delivery innovations (Enteric Shield VegCaps; patent-pending dry liposomal multi) but no published clinical trials on Solaray-formulated supplements identified. ²¹⁶
05

Mixed customer-service sentiment: BBB and Trustpilot show sporadic complaints (refunds, subscriptions, communication) while many retail product reviews are positive—overall a mixed satisfaction picture. ¹⁰¹¹

Most surprising finding

Despite extensive in-house testing and high-end GMP listing, Solaray still doesn't routinely publish batch COAs—an uncommon gap for a brand of its size.

Company profile

Who they actually are

Ownership

Solaray is a flagship brand of Better Being (formerly Nutraceutical). Nutraceutical was taken private by HGGC in 2017; HGGC remains an investor alongside later minority investors. ⁶⁷

Founded

Brand founded in Utah in 1973; long history of herbal blends and delivery-form tweaks (e.g., "Cool Cayenne," enteric-coated probiotics). ²¹⁹

Headquarters

Manufacturing and lab operations in Ogden, Utah; 650,000-sq-ft vertically integrated facility. ¹

Market position

Large U.S. natural-channel staple with broad catalog and mainstream retail presence; positions on quality via extensive in-house testing and sourcing narratives. ¹²

Regulatory record

No recent FDA warning letters located specific to Solaray, but (1) a CPSC-supervised 2023 recall of Solaray iron-containing liposomal multivitamins due to non-child-resistant packaging; and (2) legacy litigation by Nutraceutical over FDA's ephedra ban (ultimately upholding the ban). ⁵¹⁷

Certifications

NSF/ANSI 455-2 Dietary Supplements GMP listing for Nutraceutical (Ogden sites). ⁴
Company claims ISO 17025:2017 lab accreditation for its in-house testing (not independently verified here via A2LA certificate). ³

Active controversies

Historical ephedra litigation with FDA (ban upheld); 2023 child-resistant packaging recall on iron-containing liposomal multis; mixed customer-service feedback about refunds/subscriptions.

Magnesium Glycinate (275-count)

Mineral · Observed ~$26–31 for 275 caps on Amazon (~$0.10/cap; actual elemental dose per cap varies by brand). [^13]

Strength

Chelated bisglycinate with BioPerine; widely available; competitive per-cap price vs. NOW's popular forms. ¹³¹⁴

Weakness

Labeling across brands uses different elemental magnesium per capsule; compare per-mg prices, not just per-cap. ¹³¹⁴

Evidence

Category-standard form (glycinate) prized for tolerability; no Solaray-specific clinical trial located. General value comparison uses live retail pricing. ¹³¹⁴

Good mainstream value if you confirm elemental mg per serving; price is competitive among reputable peers.

Mycrobiome Probiotic (50B, Colon/Women's)

Probiotic · Typically $30–$45 for 30 enteric-coated caps depending on variant. [^15]

Strength

Enteric Shield VegCaps designed to survive stomach acid; diverse strain panels at stated CFUs. ²¹⁵

Weakness

Potency typically guaranteed at manufacture (not always through shelf life); refrigeration sometimes advised; no Solaray-run clinicals found. ¹⁵

Evidence

Retail specs and brand technical claims; independent ConsumerLab has tested Solaray berberine (not these probiotics), underscoring Solaray's visibility to third-party labs. ⁸

Solid option for enteric delivery; choose strain profile by use-case and confirm storage needs.

Liposomal Multivitamin Universal (dry, patent-pending)

Multivitamin · List $57.49 (60 ct) on brand site at time of review. [^16]

Strength

Dry liposomal encapsulation aims to improve nutrient stability/absorption vs. standard multis. ¹⁶

Weakness

Recent packaging recall on related liposomal multi line (iron/child-resistance); liposomal benefit claims depend on formulation specifics not independently published. ⁵¹⁶

Evidence

Brand product page; CPSC recall record for prior liposomal multi packaging. ⁵¹⁶

Promising delivery tech; verify child-resistant packaging if iron-containing and weigh premium vs. benefits.

Approach with caution

Products with issues

Recalled Liposomal Multivitamins (2023 lots)

Multivitamin · N/A (recalled).

Issue

Packaging lacked required child-resistant features for iron—safety risk for children.

Avoid any recalled lots; ensure current packaging is compliant if buying iron-containing multis.

Plant-sourced DHA Vegan Softgels (select SKUs)

Omega-3 · ~$30–35 per 60 softgels across retailers. [^23]

Issue

Ingredient lists show carrageenan in some Solaray vegan softgels despite prior brand communications celebrating carrageenan-free tapioca softgels—an inconsistency worth noting. ²²³

If avoiding carrageenan, verify the specific SKU's excipients before purchase.

Red flags

Concerning patterns we found

Public transparency gap on testing

Brand highlights intensive in-house testing but does not systematically publish batch COAs; community reports mixed success obtaining them.

FrequencyRecurring theme in consumer forums (2024–2025). [^1][^9][^12]

ResponseFAQ describes triple-testing and contact paths; no commitment to routine public COA posting. [^12]

Packaging compliance lapse (iron/child-resistance)

CPSC recall of liposomal multis for not meeting PPPA child-resistant requirements (not formula contamination).

FrequencySingle major recall (2023). [^5]

ResponseRefund/replacement offered; dedicated recall info pages referenced by CPSC. [^5]

Legacy regulatory conflict (ephedra)

Parent company litigated FDA's ephedra ban; appeals court upheld FDA. Not directly reflective of current supplement quality but part of regulatory history.

FrequencyHistorical (2005–2007). [^17]

ResponseN/A (matter concluded with ban upheld).

What customers say

Patterns across the reviews

Trust in quality, questions on transparency

Multiple Reddit threads across 2023–2025 mention decent experiences but ask for third-party tests/COAs.

"Solaray is generally a good brand... They test their products... but I want more info on third party testing/certifications."

"I think they lack third party testing... popular brand but quality doesn't always match the price."

If you require on-demand COAs, consider brands that publish them batch-by-batch. ¹⁸⁹

Customer-service friction on refunds/subscriptions

BBB profile shows several complaints in the past 3 years; Trustpilot shows mixed reviews.

"charged my card without consent... had to wait to receive package to ."

"pathetic customer service, really let me down."

Prefer retail channels with easy returns or buy directly only if you're comfortable with the stated policy. ¹⁰¹¹

Value analysis

What you actually pay for

Pricing strategy

Mainstream, mid-tier price points with large counts to drive perceived value.

Ingredient cost

Standard commodity actives (magnesium, probiotics, botanicals) with occasional premium delivery forms; costs align with category norms.

Markup

Example: Magnesium glycinate observed ~$0.10/cap for Solaray 275-count vs. NOW's BioPerine magnesium glycinate ~$0.10/cap (180-count)—functionally comparable per-cap pricing; per-mg elemental magnesium may vary by label. ¹³¹⁴

Subscription warning

Isolated BBB complaints about subscriptions/refunds suggest checking terms before enrolling. ¹⁰

Fair value for mainstream shoppers; transparency-focused buyers may find better value with brands that publish COAs at a similar or lower price (e.g., NutraBio for certain products). ²⁰²²

Alternatives

Other brands worth considering

NOW Foods

Aggressive in-house and third-party testing; ISO 17025–accredited labs; frequent public quality reporting.

Price

Often equal or lower than Solaray on commodity actives.

Choose when

When testing rigor and price leadership matter most. ²⁴²⁵²⁶

NutraBio

Publishes batch COAs via CheckMySupps; strong transparency culture.

Price

Comparable to slightly higher on some SKUs.

Choose when

When you require verifiable COAs for each lot. ²⁰²²

Thorne (NSF listings/Certified for Sport on many SKUs)

Extensive NSF listings including Certified for Sport; strong practitioner trust.

Price

Typically premium-priced.

Choose when

Athletes or those needing NSF-certified products. ²⁷

Kirkland Signature (USP Verified select multis)

USP Verified mark on several products; high value per serving.

Price

Usually lower.

Choose when

Budget shoppers who want an independent verification mark on label. ²⁸²⁹

Verdict matrix

Who should buy, who should skip

Ideal for

Shoppers wanting mainstream availability with credible GMP credentials (NSF/ANSI 455-2).
Consumers prioritizing enteric-coated probiotics or large-count minerals at fair prices.
Those comfortable asking customer service for COAs, rather than expecting public posting.

Avoid if

You require instant, batch-level COAs published online.
You want NSF Certified for Sport or USP Verified seals on the exact product you're buying.
You strictly avoid carrageenan in vegan softgels—labels vary by SKU.

Best products

Magnesium Glycinate (verify elemental mg per serving).
Mycrobiome Probiotic variants (choose strain profile by need).
Select botanicals and vitamins with simple formulas and clear labeling.

Skip these

Any recalled liposomal multivitamin lots; verify current child-resistant packaging if iron-containing.
Vegan softgel SKUs listing carrageenan if you aim to avoid it.

The bottom line

Comprehensive analysis shows Solaray as a credible, vertically integrated supplement maker with real GMP credentials and strong in-house testing culture. The flip side: they lag transparency leaders by not routinely publishing batch COAs, and a 2023 packaging recall underlines the need for continuous improvement in consumer safety controls. Bottom line: Solaray earns a "trust but verify" verdict—good value and selection for mainstream users who don't need published COAs; transparency-driven buyers or athletes may prefer brands with third-party seals or open COA portals. ¹⁴⁵¹⁰

What to watch for

Watch for: (1) movement toward publishing lot-level COAs; (2) continued rollout of patent-pending dry liposomal formats; (3) sustained compliance with PPPA for iron-containing products; and (4) any independent lab results (e.g., ConsumerLab) on more Solaray SKUs. ¹⁶⁸

Frequently asked

Common questions

Is Solaray third-party certified?

Yes—its parent's Ogden facilities are listed to NSF/ANSI 455-2 (dietary supplements GMP). Individual products may also carry other designations (USDA Organic/Non-GMO Project) but Solaray does not routinely publish batch COAs. ⁴¹

Did Solaray have a recall?

Yes. In September 2023, several iron-containing liposomal multivitamins were recalled for not meeting child-resistant packaging rules (PPPA). ⁵

Does Solaray run clinical trials on its formulas?

We found no published clinical trials on Solaray-formulated supplements; innovation focuses on delivery systems (e.g., enteric-coated probiotics, dry liposomal multi). ²¹⁶

Where is Solaray made?

Manufactured and tested in Ogden, Utah (650,000-sq-ft facility) under a vertically integrated model. ¹

What about vegan softgels and carrageenan?

Brand heritage pages tout carrageenan-free tapioca softgels, but some current vegan softgel labels (e.g., plant DHA) still list carrageenan—verify the specific SKU. ²²³

How we investigated

Document review of NSF listings, CPSC actions, FDA/court records, company quality disclosures, retail product specs and pricing, and aggregated customer/employee feedback across BBB, Trustpilot, Glassdoor, and Reddit.

Sources

1. Quality – Solaray (testing protocols, facility, numbers) (2025)
2. Solaray Heritage (history, 'Enteric Shield', vegan softgel claim) (2025)
3. Solaray Manufacturing Promise (ISO 17025 claim, NSF 455 GMP mention) (2024)
4. NSF/ANSI 455-2 Listings – Nutraceutical Corporation (Ogden, UT) (2025)
5. CPSC Recall: Solaray Liposomal Multivitamins (child-resistant packaging) (2023)
6. HGGC Completes Acquisition of Nutraceutical (PR) (2017)
7. HGGC portfolio: Better Being (fka Nutraceutical) (2025)
8. ConsumerLab berberine/goldenseal news (Solaray included among products tested) (2023)
9. Reddit: Solaray does not share lab results (mixed anecdotes) (2024)
10. BBB Complaints – Nutraceutical Corporation (2024)
11. Trustpilot: Solaray reviews (2025)
12. Solaray FAQ (testing description, refund policy) (2025)
13. Amazon: Solaray Magnesium Glycinate 275 ct (price/features) (2025)
14. Amazon: NOW Magnesium Glycinate with BioPerine 180 ct (price) (2025)
15. NHC & retailer pages for Mycrobiome (specs, Enteric Shield) (2025)
16. Solaray Liposomal Multivitamin Universal (patent-pending dry liposomal) (2025)
17. Quackwatch: Utah Appeals Court Upholds FDA Ephedra Ban (Nutraceutical case) (2006)
18. Reddit: Is Solaray a trustworthy brand? (mixed views) (2023)
19. Food's Co: Solaray Cool Cayenne (Bio-Cool process description) (2025)
20. Better Being site: Nutraceutical is GMP certified to NSF/ANSI 455-2 (2024)
21. NSF explainer: 455-2 Dietary Supplements GMP (2024)
22. NutraBio's CheckMySupps COA portal (2017)
23. Solaray Vegan DHA (plant-sourced) with carrageenan listed (retailer) (2025)
24. UNPA: NOW ISO 17025 Accreditation expanded (2025)
25. NOW Foods quality testing overview (2025)
26. NOW Foods Amazon testing program (public reports) (2025)
27. NSF Listings – Thorne (Certified for Sport/NSF) (2025)
28. Costco: Kirkland Multivitamin – USP Verified (2025)
29. USP Verified explanation on retailer page (Kirkland) (2025)

Investigation date 2025-09-28 · 29 sources