NHK LABORATORIES, INC., AWARDED NSF GMP/ISO 9001:2000 REGISTRATION

September 22, 2006 (PRLEAP.COM) Health News
(Santa Fe Springs, CA USA) – NHK Laboratories, Inc., (www.nhklabs.com) a custom manufacturer and packager of dietary supplements and functional foods, was awarded the first-ever NSF GMP/ISO 9001:2000 registration by NSF International, The Public Health and Safety Company™ (www.nsf.org) with the assistance from Joseph Sorrentino of Lean Quality Systems (www.ISOJoe.com).

GMP 9000 is the new international standard for dietary supplement quality, which integrates good manufacturing practice (GMP) regulations and ISO 9001 Quality Management System requirements. The combination provides a comprehensive approach to management systems, international applications, process and quality control, and laboratory operations.

According to Sharmin A. Karim, Executive Director of NHK Laboratories, Inc., domestic and international marketers sourcing product from the United States have increasingly requested ISO registration. She said, “Our clients can be assured of our continued commitment to process improvement, strict adherence to internationally recognized quality standards, and most importantly our continued investment in science and compliance.”

"NHK has established a new benchmark for manufacturers of nutritional products. Being the first company to obtain NSF GMP 9000 registration demonstrates the vision of a true leader," said Aline Lindbeck, Ph.D. general manager for NSF's Dietary Supplements and Functional Foods Certification Program.

“The exceptional expertise and dedication of NHK Laboratories’ employees enabled us to achieve ISO 9001:2000 certification in record time,” said Joseph Sorrentino, President/CEO of Lean Quality Systems. “I am pleased to have had the opportunity to guide the company through this process, and applaud M. Amirul Karim, Chief Executive Officer of NHK Laboratories, Inc., and his management staff for leading the way in the dietary supplement industry. NHK Laboratories was also certified for GMP requirements and meets pending government requirements for NSF ANSI 173-2005 Dietary Supplements.”

About NHK Laboratories, Inc.: Established in 1987, NHK Laboratories, Inc. is a custom manufacturer and packager of dietary supplements, functional foods and over-the-counter pharmaceuticals. Specializing in the production of capsules, tablets and powder drink mixes, the company operates two state-of-the-art CGMP facilities situated on more than 90,000 square feet which are registered NNFA GMP, NSF GMP and ISO 9001:2000. From Concept To Store Shelf® | Ideas Brought To Life® | Investors In Science & Compliance™

About NSF International: NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water, air and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.

About Lean Quality Systems: Lean Quality Systems is a team of highly-qualified consultants who train companies on how to successfully eliminate waste; pinpoint the root cause of declining profit margins; and experience satisfactory results from employees and other personnel. The company’s training methods are consistent with ISO 9001:2000 International Standard; Disaster Preparedness; NDT Inspection Methods; SPC; environmental, Health & Safety; Gemba Kaizen; Lean Thinking; Kanban; PDCA; TAKT and Six Sigma techniques.