Challenges with Multiple Growers Providing Consistent Raw Materials Using Echinacea as an Example

Product consistency is of growing importance in the herbal/dietary supplement industry. Product consistency can be controlled to some extent through standardization based on one or more chemically active constituents, but ultimately there needs to be more consistency in the raw material supply chain. This is challenging when the raw materials are sourced from multiple growers in different locations. We recently completed a study with Amway/Nutrilite on Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia that provides a good example of the problems that can be encountered. Seed source, growing location, growing season, and plant age at harvest all influenced not only plant yields but the profiles and concentrations of phytochemicals in leaf and root materials. To improve consistency, more efforts should be directed at breeding varieties specifically for production for herbal/dietary supplement industry. More research on environmental effects on the herbs during production, including fertilization, irrigation, soil types, disease incidence, and insect pressure, should be conducted to help develop grower guidelines to improve consistency in the raw material supply chain.