Organic Pagoda is committed to providing the highest quality Chinese herbs available. We have sourced with manufacturers committed to our standards. We are proud to be the first US Chinese herb company to be certified by the “4 G’s”. Good Manufacturing Practices, G.M.P. certification, is required by the U.S.D.A. Organic Pagoda has G.M.P. certification, and more.

G.M.P.
Good Manufacturing Practices

Organic Pagoda’s manufacturers have G.M.P certification. The WHO defines Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as “that part of quality assurance which ensures that products are consistently produced and controlled to the quality standards appropriate to their intended use and as required by the marketing authorization”. GMP covers all aspects of the manufacturing process: defined manufacturing process; validated critical manufacturing steps; suitable premises, storage, transport; qualified and trained production and quality control personnel; adequate laboratory facilities; approved written procedures and instructions; records to show all steps of defined procedures taken; full traceability of a product through batch processing records and distribution records; and systems for recall and investigation of complaints.

G.M.P. certification includes:

• Inspection of Premises
• Storage
• Transportation
• Production
• Quality Personnel
• Laboratory facilities
• Records of procedures
• Traceability of products
• Systems for recall

G.A.P.

Good Agricultural Practices

The US F.D.A. requires food supplements, such as herbs, to have G.M.P, “Good Manufacturing Process”. Although vital, this certification does not require enough certification of the quality of the products. Organic Pagoda strives for more certifications, including Good Agricultural Practices, or GAP, that focus on quality control in regards to cultivation standards. It covers recommendations that range from the selection of appropriate seed material and cultivation sites to the avoidance of contaminations in post-harvesting handling, training and working conditions of personnel, and general rules for handling and construction of tools and facilities. For more detailed explanation of G.A.P., please see appendices.

G.A.P. certification includes:

• Selection of appropriate plant/seed material
• Selection of a suitable cultivation site and appropriate cultivation methods
• Harvesting
• Processing conditions
• Sustainability

G.L.P.
Good Laboratory Practices

Organic Pagoda manufacturers possess Good Laboratory Processes certification, G.L.P. The US F.D.A. has required G.L.P certification since 1979 for food and color additives, animal drugs, human drugs and biological products, human medical devices, diagnostic products, and electronic products, but not for food and herbal supplements. G.L.P certification tests toxicity profile of the article, assures no adverse effects from product, dose level in the test system, risks associated with clinical studies involving humans or animals, potential teratogenic, carcinogenic, or other adverse effects of the article, level of use that can be approved.

G.L.P. certification includes:

• Toxicity Levels
• Equipment
• Facilities
• Organization and Personnel
• Protocol and Conduct
• Records and Reports
• Operations

G.P.P.
Good Processing Practices

G.P.P. certification includes

• Grading Soil
• Cutting Plants
• Covering Herbs
• Drying Herbs

Also, TCM includes specific methods for processing herbs for maximum efficacy such as:

• Steaming
• Roasting
• Baking