In this interview with Nutraceuticals World, Stephan Gafner, PhD, chief science officer at the American Botanical Council (ABC) and director of the Botanical Adulterants Prevention Program (BAPP), outlined the program’s mission to ensure authenticity and transparency in the global botanical ingredient supply chain.

With about 100 peer-reviewed publications, BAPP has become one of the most comprehensive resources on herbal adulteration, identity testing, and lab guidance. Each bulletin or lab guidance document undergoes extensive peer review, often involving 20-30 experts who contribute insights on supply chain and testing methods.

Addressing ongoing challenges of adulteration, Gafner noted that rising demand for botanicals, while positive for public health, puts pressure on plant resources, creating opportunities for bad actors. To defend against adulteration, he advised companies to:

• Establish strong supplier relationships, including audits and transparency checks.
• Maintain robust quality control programs.
• Test ingredients at multiple points in the supply chain.

Gafner also discussed the mushroom boom, calling it both exciting and complex. While there’s good evidence for immune-support benefits, a lack of standardized terminology can create confusion, with products labeled as “mushroom” that may actually contain mycelium, fruiting bodies, or grain substrates. This lack of clarity, he said, underscores the need for standardized definitions and improved analytical methods to verify authenticity and potency.

Looking ahead, BAPP is preparing several new research reviews, including reports on ginseng and turmeric adulteration, and an educational initiative explaining analytical testing methods “for non-scientists,” designed to help decision-makers understand the fundamentals of botanical quality control.

Discussion Topics:

• Collaboration and peer review of BAPP publications
• Supporting quality assurance and transparency
• Rising demand and resource pressure driving adulteration risk
• Best practices for preventing adulteration: supplier audits, QC, and testing
• Growth and complexity of the mushroom supplement category
• Upcoming BAPP reports on ginseng and turmeric adulteration
• Educational project on analytical methods for non-scientists
• Importance of global cooperation to ensure botanical integrity