Product Testing & Quality

How does Perelel develop its prenatal vitamins?

Perelel develops each prenatal formula with its panel of OB-GYNs and maternal health physicians, who identify the nutrient gaps they see most often in their own patients. Each formula is designed for a specific reproductive stage rather than sold as a single generic multivitamin, so the nutrient profile is matched to the needs of that trimester or phase. Formulation begins with clinical input from practicing physicians, not with a marketing concept. Meet the Perelel panel.

Does Perelel test its prenatal vitamins for heavy metals?

Yes. Perelel tests every batch of its prenatal vitamins for heavy metals before the batch is released. Before any raw material is approved, it must pass documentation review and meet Perelel's heavy metal standards, supported by a certificate of analysis (COA) from the supplier. Finished batches are tested against heavy metal thresholds that Perelel sets tighter than California's Proposition 65 limits, and any batch that does not clear those thresholds is not shipped. See Perelel's safety and testing standards.

Does Perelel test every batch for potency and contamination?

Yes. Every Perelel batch is screened for microbiological contaminants and verified for nutrient levels before release. Potency is confirmed against the label claim, so the amount of each nutrient stated on the label is present in the finished product before it reaches you.

Why do prenatal vitamins contain more than 100% of some nutrients?

Prenatal vitamins often contain more than 100% of a nutrient's label claim because vitamins and minerals naturally degrade over time. Best practice is to build in "overages" — an amount above the label claim — so the product still delivers the stated amount at the end of its shelf life. Different nutrients degrade at different rates, and heat, moisture, oxygen, and packaging all affect how quickly each one declines. An amount above 100% on day one is what allows the nutrient to still meet 100% of its claim on the expiration date.  

Does a higher-than-label nutrient amount mean a vitamin has "too much"?

A higher-than-label amount reflects accuracy, not excess. Overages exist so the nutrient level lands at the label claim by the end of shelf life, accounting for natural degradation over time. At Perelel, every overage is calculated rather than estimated, and overages are built within United States Pharmacopeia (USP) limits, accounting for how nutrients interact with one another and how packaging affects them.

What does the FDA require for nutrient levels at the end of shelf life?

The FDA requires that every nutrient on a supplement's label still meet 100% of its claimed amount at the very end of the product's shelf life. Because nutrients degrade over time, calculated overages and stability testing are how manufacturers meet this requirement through the expiration date.

How does Perelel confirm nutrients stay at label levels over time?

Perelel runs stability testing throughout each product's shelf life to confirm nutrient levels hold to the label claim through the expiration date. Accelerated stability testing simulates months of real-world aging in weeks under high heat, while real-time stability testing monitors the actual product across its full, real shelf life. Testing continues after production because vitamins and minerals naturally degrade, so this ensures you receive what the label promises all the way to the expiration date.

Why do gummy vitamins need higher overages than capsules?

Gummy vitamins typically need the largest overages of any supplement format. Gummies are made with heat and moisture, which accelerate nutrient degradation, so more of each nutrient must be built in to still meet the label claim by the end of shelf life. This is a property of the gummy format itself, not of any single brand.

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and we recommend that you always consult with your healthcare provider. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Perelel.