Herbalife Ltd., a global leader in nutrition, has achieved a scientific milestone by receiving from AOAC INTERNATIONAL, the leading authority on analytical methods, the first-ever global certification for its patented method of detecting aloin compounds (anthraquinones) in aloe vera.
This validation, unique in the industry, strengthens safety standards for ingestible botanical products across more than 90 markets where the company operates.
Scientific Innovation with Global Rigor
Herbalife’s method, developed by its own scientists and validated in eight independent laboratories, uses high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to quantify critical compounds such as aloin A, aloin B and aloe-emodin. These compounds, naturally found in aloe, require strict monitoring under international safety regulations.
Multicenter Validation
Eight laboratories analyzed six identical samples (raw materials and finished products), confirming the method’s precision and reproducibility in various contexts.
Complementary Technology
Herbalife is one of the few companies that employs NMR spectroscopy (nuclear magnetic resonance) to verify the molecular purity of aloe, going beyond reliance on supplier certificates.
Leadership Statements
Gary Swanson, Senior Vice President of Global Quality at Herbalife, emphasized:
“This validation is a milestone for Herbalife and the industry. We lead innovations that enhance the safety of botanical ingredients, benefiting our products, our customers and the sector’s standards.”
Corporate Context and Outlook
Herbalife, the world’s #1 brand in wellness nutrition (Euromonitor, 2024), uses aloe vera in key lines such as hydration and skincare.
In this context, the recognition will strengthen the trust of 6.2 million distributors by providing them with a differentiating scientific argument for demanding markets. It will also influence global regulations, as the method will be published in the Journal of AOAC INTERNATIONAL as a sector benchmark.
