What to Ask Before Buying Supplements: A 2026 Checklist of Questions for Sellers
JRQ consumer verification guide Published: November 6, 2026
You are planning to buy NMN or other supplements containing cell-function-related ingredients, and customer service has told you a lot. How do you know what to trust? JRQ is a private organization that develops quality and information disclosure standards. JRQ does not recommend or certify any specific product. This guide gives you a set of questions you can copy and use directly, plus a way to judge the answers. Keep a record of your conversation with customer service: screenshots, screen recordings, or saved copies, so you can check the information later.
Questions to ask before buying
Send the following questions to customer service. Ask them one at a time; do not combine them.
- How many milligrams of NMN are in one daily serving of this product? Does that figure refer to the purity of the raw material itself, or to the actual content per capsule or per daily serving of the finished product? Please provide the inspection report for the corresponding lot number.
- Does the lot number on the inspection report match the lot number on the bottle I receive and on the outer box? What test method was used? Was the sample a raw material or a finished product? Does the report state a value for the limit of detection (LOD) or limit of quantification (LOQ)?
- Who is the manufacturer? What are the factory name and address? Is there any third-party certification or factory information that can be checked publicly?
- What is the basis for the storage conditions stated on the label? Can you provide stability data or the basis for the storage conditions? Does the label state how to store the product after opening and how long it should be used within?
- Where is the original text of the study mentioned in the advertising? Did the study use the raw material or the finished product? Do the dose and form used in the study match this product? Can you provide searchable reference information?
- How is this product imported into mainland China? Is it imported through general trade or cross-border e-commerce? Does it have a Chinese label or a risk notice from the platform?
- What are the update date and version number of these documents? If they are updated later, how can I see the previous version?
If customer service only replies “we have it,” “don’t worry,” or “we are legitimate” and gives no documents that can be checked, these questions are the next points to press on.
How to judge the answers: three things to check
First, the answer has to refer to the specific lot. The real basis is not “we do testing,” but that the lot number on the report matches the lot number on the bottle you receive. The inspection report should state the test method, whether the sample was a raw material or a finished product, and a limit of detection or limit of quantification value. The lot number should be clearly legible and match the outer box and bottle. This is a basic information disclosure requirement under JRQ-D-004 Lot Labeling Standard and JRQ-D-005 Certificate of Analysis Disclosure Standard.
Second, documents need version numbers and update dates. A report you can see today does not mean it will still be valid tomorrow. The seller should state the update date and version number of the documents, and keep older versions available after updates. If customer service only sends a screenshot with no date, you cannot tell whether it is from last month or a year ago. This point corresponds to JRQ-D-019 Information Update and Version Control Standard.
Third, customer service replies themselves need a basis. Under JRQ-D-020 Inquiry Response Standard, when a seller handles an inquiry, the answer should be traceable to a specific lot and document version. Saying only “don’t worry,” “we are an established brand,” or “many people take it” does not provide information that can be checked, so it cannot be used as a basis. Likewise, sending only a screenshot, a partial screenshot, or a screenshot with no lot number and no date is not a valid response.
Verification checklist
Compare the information you collect with the table below.
| Item to check | Where to look | What adequate information looks like | Warning signs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ingredient specifications | Product label, product page, customer service reply | States clearly whether the ingredient is NMN or NMNH (reduced form); states the number of milligrams per daily serving; states purity and finished-product content separately | Only says “high purity” or “quality raw material”; confuses NMN with NMNH |
| Amount per daily serving | Label, product page, inspection report | States how many milligrams per capsule or per daily serving, consistent with the inspection report | Only gives the total weight of the bottle; does not state milligrams per capsule or per daily serving |
| Inspection report tied to the lot number | Provided by customer service; compare with the lot number on the bottle and outer box | Report states lot number, test method, sample type, LOD or LOQ, and testing institution | No lot number; blurry screenshot; report date much earlier than purchase date; only gives a “certificate of conformity” |
| Manufacturer | Label, product page, customer service reply | Manufacturer name and address can be checked; factory information or third-party certification can be verified | Only says “made in Japan”; no specific factory; address cannot be found |
| Basis for storage conditions | Label, package insert, customer service reply | Storage conditions match the label, and the basis can be explained | Only says “cool, dry place”; no basis; after-opening storage requirements are unclear |
| Original text of cited research | Product page, advertising, customer service reply | Searchable reference information is provided; the substance, form, and dose used in the study match the product | Only says “studies show”; conclusions do not match the product; only gives a preprint without saying so |
| Import method | Product page, Chinese label, platform explanation | States general trade or cross-border e-commerce; Chinese label or risk notice matches the actual situation | Vague; general trade but no Chinese label; no explanation of cross-border rules |
| Document update date and version | Product page, customer service reply, report itself | Update date and version number are visible; previous version can be checked | Only says “latest”; no date; screenshot has no version information |
Common misconceptions
- Misconception: High purity means high content. Explanation: Purity is a result for the raw material; it does not tell you the number of milligrams of NMN per capsule or per daily serving in the finished product. Ask about the two separately.
- Misconception: Having an inspection report means the product is reliable. Explanation: The report must match the lot number in your hand and state the test method and sample type. Otherwise it only shows that “one lot was tested at some point.”
- Misconception: Customer service saying “don’t worry,” “we are legitimate,” or “many people buy it” counts as a basis. Explanation: Verbal assurances cannot be checked. Ask for documents that can be traced to the lot and document version.
- Misconception: A screenshot is a document. Explanation: A screenshot may be old, may be from another product, or may show only part of the document. It should have a date and version and be traceable to the lot.
- Misconception: Imported means good. Explanation: Different import methods have different labeling and regulatory requirements. The key is whether the documents match and can be verified, so ask about the import method first.
Related JRQ standards
- JRQ-D-020 Inquiry Response Standard: requires that when a seller handles an inquiry, the answer is traceable to a specific lot and document version.
- JRQ-D-019 Information Update and Version Control Standard: requires disclosed information to have update dates and version numbers, with previous versions available.
- JRQ-D-005 Certificate of Analysis Disclosure Standard: requires that when a certificate of analysis is disclosed, the subject, authenticity, and scope of disclosure are checked against the labeling.
- JRQ-Q-002 NMN Quality Standard: requires that NMN chemical identity, isomers, impurities, stability, and related items correspond to testing and labeling.
Scope of this guide
This guide covers only how to request documents from sellers and check information before buying. It does not evaluate the efficacy or safety of any ingredient, and it does not recommend, certify, or endorse any specific product. On whether NMN can be used as an ordinary food ingredient in mainland China, follow the announcements published by China’s National Health Commission (NHC). For the compliance of a specific product, check with the regulatory authorities or the platform. If you are taking medication, have a chronic illness, or are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor or pharmacist before buying.
Other guides: Reading "research shows" claims · Checking safety information · Checking label dosage information · Ingredient identity and isomers · New ingredients: status and labeling · Checking comparison claims · Checking combination formulas · Checking certification claims · Checking overseas raw material claims · Checking regenerative medicine providers in Japan · Checking "stem cell" products · Storage and stability · Reading "not detected" · Lot numbers and authenticity · Production methods and impurities · Checking glutathione labels · Checking 5-ALA labels · Reading advertising terms · Checking cell storage services · Checking PQQ labels · Phosphatidylserine labels · Alpha-lipoic acid labels · Checking ergothioneine labels · Checking plasmalogen labels · Checking quercetin labels · Checking creatine labels · Checking sesamin labels · Berberine labeling and status