Kirkman

Kirkman is a North American manufacturer founded in 1949, headquartered in Lake Oswego, Oregon, which makes it one of the oldest companies in the sector. Unlike most brands, which outsource production, it manufactures almost all of its products in its own facilities and has a history of pharmaceutical production, being registered with the FDA as a pharmaceutical manufacturer. Its procedures stem from this: every raw material is weighed by one person and verified by another, and each step is checked by an independent quality department.

The Ultra Tested program

The idea is simple and uncommon: test twice. Every raw material is analyzed upon arrival, before entering the formula, and the finished product is tested again after being mixed, encapsulated, and packaged. Nothing is shipped without passing both stages, and the brand uses independent laboratories instead of relying solely on supplier documentation.

Nine heavy metals, not four

Most testing programs in the industry analyze four metals: lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Kirkman adds aluminum, chromium, tin, antimony, and barium, which can enter through soil, water, manufacturing equipment, or the packaging itself. The microbiological panel includes aerobic bacteria, yeast and mold, enterobacteria, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus. Each product has a Certificate of Analysis documenting these tests.

For those with sensitivities

The brand specializes in formulas for people with food and environmental sensitivities. Most products are free from the nine major allergens — milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame — as well as dyes and flavorings.

4 products

Kirkman in five points

Of all the brands in this store, this is the one that takes testing the furthest. It is worth understanding what that means in practice, because that is where the price difference lies.

1. Since 1949, with its own factory

Founded in 1949and based in Lake Oswego, Oregon, it is one of the oldest companies in the sector. It manufactures almost everything in its own facilities, whereas most brands outsource production.

2. Procedures inherited from pharmaceuticals

The company has a history of pharmaceutical production and is registered with the FDA as a pharmaceutical manufacturer, applying those same procedures to its supplements: every raw material is weighed by one person and checked by another, and each step is verified by an independent quality department.

3. Ultra Tested: tested twice

Each raw material is analyzed upon arrival, beforeentering the formula, and the finished product is tested again afterbeing mixed, encapsulated, and packaged. Nothing is shipped without passing both stages, and the tests are conducted in independent laboratories.

4. Nine heavy metals, not four

Most programs analyze lead, arsenic, cadmium, and mercury. Kirkman adds aluminum, chromium, tin, antimony, and barium, which can enter through the soil, water, equipment, or packaging. The microbiological panel covers aerobic bacteria, yeasts and molds, enterobacteria, E. coli, Pseudomonas, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus.

5. Made for those with sensitivities

Most products do not contain the nine main allergens — milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, and sesame — nor artificial colors and flavorings. Each product has a Certificate of Analysis, which you can consult on the brand's website. If you have diagnosed allergies, always check the complete label list.

Perguntas frequentes

Quem é a Kirkman?
É um fabricante norte-americano fundado em 1949, sediado em Lake Oswego, no Oregon, o que faz dele uma das empresas mais antigas do setor. Fabrica quase todos os seus produtos nas próprias instalações, em vez de subcontratar, e tem história de produção de medicamentos, com registo na FDA como fabricante farmacêutico.
O que é o programa Ultra Tested?
É o protocolo de testes da marca, e assenta numa ideia simples: testar duas vezes. Cada matéria-prima é analisada à chegada, antes de entrar na fórmula, e o produto acabado volta a ser testado depois de misturado, encapsulado e embalado. Nada é expedido sem passar nos dois momentos.
Quantos metais pesados são analisados?
Nove, quando a maioria dos programas de testes do setor analisa quatro. Aos habituais chumbo, arsénio, cádmio e mercúrio, a Kirkman acrescenta alumínio, crómio, estanho, antimónio e bário, que podem entrar através do solo, da água, dos equipamentos de fabrico ou das próprias embalagens.
E os testes microbiológicos?
O painel inclui contagem total de bactérias aeróbias, contagem de leveduras e bolores, enterobactérias, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus e coliformes. As leveduras e os bolores interessam sobretudo nos ingredientes de origem vegetal, que podem apanhá-los na colheita ou no armazenamento.
Posso ver os resultados dos testes?
Sim. A marca emite um Certificado de Análise para cada produto, que documenta os testes feitos e se o produto cumpre as especificações definidas. Consoante o produto, pode incluir resultados microbiológicos, de metais pesados, de identidade do ingrediente, de potência e de pureza. Os certificados podem ser consultados no site da marca.
Para quem são estas fórmulas?
A marca especializou-se em fórmulas para pessoas com sensibilidades alimentares e ambientais. A maioria dos produtos não contém os nove alergénios principais (leite, ovo, peixe, marisco, frutos de casca rija, amendoim, trigo, soja e sésamo) nem corantes e aromatizantes. Se tem alergias diagnosticadas, confirme sempre a lista completa do rótulo.

Veja também

Food supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this supplement. Not recommended in case of hypersensitivity or allergy to any of the ingredients in the formulation, or when interactions between another product and any of its constituents are described. The recommended daily dose should not be exceeded. Keep out of the reach and sight of children. Store in a cool, dry place, away from light.