In a world that is becoming increasingly hostile to human health, there has never been a greater demand for products that take a natural, holistic approach to wellness, an approach that is designed around the interdependence of the body's various systems. Bazaar of India’s products perfectly meet this growing worldwide need by marrying time honored wisdom with cutting edge technology. By placing in your hands the finest quality herbs and nutritional supplements, Bazaar of India gives you the tools you need to take charge of your health and to look and feel your best. 

At Bazaar of India, uncompromising quality is not an option - it is an obligation. It is not a vague goal -- it is standard operating procedure. That's why Bazaar of India is the acknowledged quality leader in the industry for Ayurvedic herbs and products. Quality begins in the fields, where only the finest herbs and raw materials are selected. The company's global sourcing of raw materials ensures that the highest quality products are chosen from each harvest season. We are one of the select Ayurvedic companies in the country that maintains 2 full time offices in India. That allows us the ability to select from the pick of the crop for each herb, and not inferior “left over” stock that is made available to others.

After sourcing, harvesting, and cleaning, these materials are shipped to the 14,000 sq. ft. Bazaar of India manufacturing facility in Berkeley, CA where they are subjected to a series of in-depth quality control tests to ensure purity, potency and cleanliness. All incoming raw materials are thoroughly tested before they are released for use in Bazaar of India’s products. Quality checks continue throughout the various stages of manufacturing, as well as at the completion of production.

By maintaining this intense level of quality control and developing new methods and techniques to ensure top product quality, Bazaar of India perpetuates its long-standing position at the forefront of the industry. The natural result is a large and growing family of customers- men and women throughout the world who wouldn't think of buying any other brand than Bazaar of India. 

QUALITY ASSURANCE STANDARDS

 

ETHICALLY WILDCRAFTED AND CERTIFIED ORGANIC HERBS

As a company, Bazaar of India takes enormous pride in the quality of the products we offer. Indeed, quality is the first part of the Bazaar of India creed "Quality, Service, and Integrity." In order to produce high quality products, we start with the finest raw materials available. All our Ayurvedic herbs are cultivated from natural sources. They are grown in their natural environments so as to insure the utmost potency and authenticity of the plants. Therefore, all our herbs are either wildcrafted (grown wild, not on farms) or certified organic (cultivated on farms).

TESTING PROCEDURES AND INFORMATION 

Heavy Metal testing

   Due to our relationships with the same suppliers for the past 25 years, our trust and understanding ensures we import the quality of products that we can safely sell. Our herbs are tested by independent US-FDA approved labs for heavy metal limits and we always ensure that our suppliers are aware of our requirements as well and will reject any herb batch that may not comply. The testing procedures used are based on the ICP-MS method of testing and the guidelines set in the U.S. Pharmacopeia, and are considered industry standards and benchmarks by which all other tests are measured. Each heavy metal test includes testing for LEAD, MERCURY, ARSENIC, CADMIUM, NICKEL, and several others. Lab reports & results for our individual products are always available upon request.

Bacteria testing  

By testing for and counting the bacteria on machinery, equipment, and personnel in the production area, we can evaluate the standard hygiene level and the efficiency of our cleaning procedures. By checking the bacteria counts in the production areas we ensure that our products will not become contaminated in the manufacturing plant.  BAZAAR OF INDIA utilizes two different methods to test for bacteria: swabbing methods and a device called a bactometer, which uses advanced computer technology to test for the presence of bacteria in raw materials, liquids, and finished products. 

Total Bacteria testing  To determine the number of microbes which might be contaminating a product, we take a total plate count. We test a sample of raw material or finished product and determine the amount of aerobic microbe contamination in the sample. We then compare this count to our stringent allowable spec levels. If any raw material counts are higher than allowable levels, the batch is rejected and returned to the vendor. Finished products are also audited to ensure they meet BAZAAR OF INDIA quality specifications. 

Mold and Yeast testing 

We regularly perform yeast and mold counts by using a count plate. A count plate is a specialized dish which contains the elements a mold or yeast would need to sustain life if it were present, and a dye which helps these organisms appear visible. 

E. coli testing 

The dangers of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria are well- known. Present in large enough quantities, this bacteria can be fatal. BAZAAR OF INDIA tests raw materials for the presence of E. coli using specially designed E. coli count plates which contain an indicator that turns the bacteria blue if present. This allows for visual identification of the bacteria and, of course, rejection of that particular batch of raw material. 

Salmonella testing 

Salmonella bacteria is responsible for many food poisoning cases. BAZAAR OF INDIA tests for salmonella bacteria in herb raw materials and products using what is called a 1-2 test, This test allows us to obtain results much more quickly than standard culture methods. 

HERB AND PURITY TESTING 

Organoleptic ID testing 

This is usually the first step in the identification of herb samples coming into the Quality Assurance testing area. This analysis includes testing with the senses, i.e. checking the taste, odor, color, and appearance of the raw herb material. 

Microscopy 

A microscopic evaluation is  performed on incoming herb samples to validate exactly which plant parts the sample contains (roots, leaves, fruit, bark), and to look for any foreign matter such as insect parts. This test involves the preparation of a slide of each herb powder to be tested. By analyzing the cell structure of the sample under the microscope, we can confirm the plant species, cell type (part of plant), and see possible contamination. 

Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) & Potency Testing TLC

 is a reliable analytical technique that allows us to identify herbs and measure their quality. Different components of an herb extract are separated from each other using adsorption and capillary action. These components are spotted onto a plate, and the intensity of the spots represents the concentration of each component in the extract. Trained personnel can identify the components by color, and colorless substances are identified by using a special detecting spray or ultraviolet light. The TLC test allows us to "fingerprint" the herb sample and compare it to a library of known standards. Used in combination with the FTIR test, we can be assured that the key components in a particular herb are present in the sample. BAZAAR OF INDIA occasionally uses TLC to do comparison testing. We test BAZAAR OF INDIA products against similar products made by competitors to ensure that the BAZAAR OF INDIA products potency and purity are greater than that of our competitors. 

FOREIGN MATERIALS TESTING 

Ash testing 

We burn a small sample of herb material in a special microwave furnace for one hour at 700 C. This burns away all of the organic (plant) matter. Any ash that remains after the burn is mineral content or dirt, and this is weighed. Every herb has a characteristic mineral content and a corresponding typical ash content. If, in testing, we find an ash content that is significantly higher than the typical ash content, we suspect the presence of dirt or some other foreign inorganic material. Dirt is a common problem, especially with herbs harvested from plant roots. If harvesters do not take the time to completely clean the dirt from the roots, BAZAAR OF INDIA will reject their herbs. 

Every test we conduct leads to better product quality, and excellence in product quality is what has put our products where they are today . . . at the top of the industry. You can be assured that with each new product we develop and manufacture, out commitment to excellence will continue.