Grade: B+

MEDIUM RISK

Carlson

Item: Carlson
Rating: 70
Author: SupplementChecker

https://www.carlsonlabs.com Est. 1965 (61 years)

Carlson has a SupplementChecker trust score of 70/100, which is a B+ grade and indicates a MEDIUM risk level. Carlson does not appear to provide third-party testing certifications for its products. While not third-party tested, Carlson has a clean FDA record, with no warning letters or recalls.

Carlson Trust Summary

Trust Score: 70/100 (Good)
Grade: B+
Risk Level: MEDIUM
Third-Party Tested: No
FDA Recalls: 0
Adverse Events: 2
Years in Business: 61 years
GMP Certified: Yes

Carlson has a trust score of 70/100 (Good). The brand is not third-party tested by NSF, USP, or Informed Sport, has no FDA recalls on record and 2 adverse event reports and has been in business for 61 years.

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Red Flags

⚠No third-party testing certifications found

Verified Strengths

✓Established brand — operating since 1965 (61 years)
✓Clean FDA record — no warnings, recalls, or significant adverse events

Certifications

GMP Certified

GMP certification ensures manufacturing quality standards are met, but does not verify that product contents match the label through independent testing. Look for NSF, USP, or Informed Sport certifications for third-party verified products.

FDA Record

FDA Warning Letters

Recalls

Adverse Reports

Is Carlson Third-Party Tested?

No — Carlson is not currently third-party tested by independent certifiers like NSF, USP, or Informed Sport. They do hold GMP certification, which ensures manufacturing quality but does not independently verify product contents. We recommend looking for brands with verified third-party testing for the highest confidence in product quality. See our guide to third-party tested supplements.

Is Carlson a Good Brand?

Carlson scores 70/100 (B+) — this is an average score. There may be room for improvement in testing transparency or certifications. Carlson has a clean FDA record with no warnings or recalls. The brand does not currently hold third-party testing certifications.

About Carlson

Carlson is a US-based supplement company founded in 1965, making it an established brand with 61 years in business. Carlson operates independently and offers a range of supplements.

Product Specialization

Carlson specializes in fish oil and omega-3 supplements, as well as various vitamins and minerals. They are known for their liquid fish oil products and vitamin D supplements.

Testing & Certifications Explained

Carlson is GMP certified, indicating adherence to good manufacturing practices. However, there is no evidence of third-party testing certifications. This means that while Carlson follows certain quality control procedures, an independent organization does not verify the contents and purity of their products. Consumers seeking third-party tested supplements may want to consider other brands.

How Carlson Compares

Compared to other brands in the fish oil and vitamin space, Carlson's trust score of 70/100 places it in the mid-range. For example, Nordic Naturals (trust score 92/100) provides third-party testing and certifications. Garden of Life (trust score 85/100) also offers certified organic and non-GMO products. These brands may offer greater assurance of product quality and purity than Carlson.

Buying Guidance

Given that Carlson does not appear to be third-party tested, consumers should carefully consider their risk tolerance. If you choose to purchase Carlson products, buy directly from reputable retailers to minimize the risk of counterfeit products. Check the product's expiration date and lot number upon arrival.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Carlson had any recalls?

No — as of 2026, Carlson has zero FDA product recalls on record. They maintain a clean FDA record with no warning letters or significant adverse event reports. Carlson received a trust score of 70/100 from SupplementChecker.

Are Carlson supplements third-party tested?

No — Carlson supplements are not currently third-party tested by independent certifiers like NSF, USP, or Informed Sport. They do have GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certification, which ensures manufacturing quality but does not independently verify product contents.

Is Carlson safe?

Carlson received a trust score of 70/100 (grade: B+, risk level: MEDIUM). This score is calculated from FDA records, third-party certifications, adverse event reports, and transparency practices. No FDA warnings or recalls are on record.

Is Carlson a good brand?

Carlson scores 70/100 (grade: B+) — this is an average score. There may be room for improvement in testing transparency or certifications. They do not currently hold third-party testing certifications like NSF, USP, or Informed Sport. No FDA warnings or recalls found.

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How We Calculated This Score

Every brand starts with a baseline score of 70/100.

Points added for: Third-party certifications (NSF +15, USP +15, Informed Sport +10), publishing lab results (+10), clean regulatory record (+10), 10+ years in business (+10), organic certification (+5).

Points deducted for: FDA warning letters (-25), product recalls (-20), high adverse events (-15), no third-party testing (-15), proprietary blends (-10), no GMP (-10).

Score is capped at 0-100. Grade and risk level are derived from the final score.

All data sourced from FDA.gov, Health Canada (LNHPD / recalls-rappels), NSF.org, USP.org, and publicly available brand information. Last updated: 4/9/2026.

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