NSF and Diao Yu Tai Partner to Develop Functional Product Standard in China

August 10, 2017

Cooperative agreement and initial meeting in Beijing are first steps toward development of functional product standard and certification program for Chinese functional foods and dietary supplements.

ANN ARBOR, Mich., USA and BEIJING, China – NSF, a global public health organization and a leading certifier of dietary supplements, met with Diao Yu Tai Food Biotechnology Company (DYT) in Beijing recently to sign a cooperative agreement and discuss development of a functional product standard and certification program in China. An established name brand for more than 800 years, DYT is a leading developer and provider of organic food and Chinese medicine-based functional products in China.

“We recognize NSF as the leading global standard developer and certification body for public health, especially in the dietary supplement industry,” said Mr. Xu Wenhai, Chairman of DYT. “This is why we have established a strategic partnership with NSF to develop a functional product standard and certification program.”

NSF operates in more than 170 countries, including China where it has multiple locations and an accredited testing laboratory in Shanghai. A recent strategic discussion between DYT senior management and NSF included presentations from Mr. Kevan Lawlor, President and CEO of NSF; Dr. Lori Bestervelt, Executive Vice President and Chief Technical Officer of NSF; Mr. Yu Sulian, Chief Advisor to NSF China and Dr. Laura Liu, NSF’s Health Sciences Division Manager, China. Topics ranged from NSF’s history and mission to the importance of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), dietary supplement testing technologies and NSF’s standards development processes.

“As a global public health organization, we are committed to protecting and improving human health and the environment,” said Kevan Lawlor, President and CEO of NSF. “From our discussions, it is clear that Diao Yu Tai is committed to quality and helping ensure the safety of consumers as well.”

According to DYT, introduction of the functional product standard and certification program will help ensure functional product quality throughout the supply chain. With the cooperative agreement signed, the two organizations expect to issue the first functional product standard and certification program by 2018.

Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA, NSF (nsf.org) is a global independent organization that writes standards, and tests and certifies products for the food, water, health sciences and consumer goods industries to minimize adverse health effects and protect the environment. Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting human health and safety worldwide. Operating in more than 170 countries, NSF is a Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center on Food Safety, Water Quality and Indoor Environment.

Editor’s Note: To schedule an interview, please contact Thomas Frey, APR, at tfrey@nsf.org or +1 734.214.6242.