Understanding Balance of Nature's Operations
Balance of Nature is a brand of whole-food dietary supplements marketed by its parent company, Evig LLC [1.6.2]. The company was founded by Dr. Douglas Howard in the 1990s with the goal of addressing nutritional gaps in modern diets [1.7.3]. The core products consist of "Fruits & Veggies" capsules and a "Fiber & Spice" powder, which together contain 31 different fruits and vegetables [1.4.2, 1.7.4]. The central question for many consumers revolves around the product's origin and quality control.
Manufacturing Location: Made in the USA
Public records and company information confirm that Balance of Nature's manufacturing facilities are located in Utah [1.3.1]. The parent company, Evig LLC, and its CEO, Douglas L. Howard, are based in St. George, Utah, which is also where the products are made [1.3.2, 1.3.4]. A partner in production, Premium Production LLC, is also based in St. George [1.3.5]. While the final products are manufactured in the United States, the specific origin of every raw ingredient is not publicly detailed. It's a common practice in the supplement industry for raw ingredients to be sourced globally, including from China, which supplies a large portion of the world's vitamins like Vitamin C and other components [1.9.1, 1.9.4]. Balance of Nature states their ingredients are globally sourced and third-party tested for quality, but does not provide public certificates of analysis [1.4.5, 1.7.3].
Regulatory Scrutiny and Controversies
The company has a documented history of regulatory issues with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and other consumer protection agencies. These issues are crucial for understanding the full context of the company's operations.
FDA Actions and Warning Letters
In August 2019, the FDA issued a detailed warning letter to Evig LLC, doing business as Balance of Nature [1.3.2, 1.5.3]. The letter cited "serious" violations, including:
- Unapproved Drug Claims: The FDA stated that the company's website and promotional materials made claims that its products could prevent, treat, or cure serious diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, which classifies them as unapproved new drugs [1.5.1, 1.5.4].
- Manufacturing Violations: The inspection revealed that the company failed to comply with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for dietary supplements [1.5.3, 1.5.6]. This included a failure to establish the identity and purity of its ingredients.
Following the 2019 warning, inspections showed continued non-compliance. In November 2023, a federal court entered a consent decree that ordered the company and its contractors to stop manufacturing and selling products until they could demonstrate compliance with FDA regulations [1.3.5, 1.5.5]. The company was allowed to resume operations after meeting certain FDA requirements a few weeks later [1.5.2].
Consumer Protection Lawsuit
In addition to the FDA actions, Balance of Nature settled a $1.1 million consumer protection lawsuit in California. The suit alleged false advertising and misleading subscription terms [1.2.5, 1.7.3]. As part of the settlement, $250,000 was allocated for customer restitution [1.7.3].
Product Composition and Efficacy
Balance of Nature's marketing emphasizes its use of whole fruits and vegetables, processed using an advanced vacuum-cold method to preserve nutrients [1.4.3]. The Fruits supplement contains a blend of 16 fruits, and the Veggies supplement contains 15 vegetables [1.4.2]. The company claims its products are gluten-free, vegan, and free of additives or fillers [1.4.3].
However, critics and independent reviewers point out several concerns:
- Lack of Transparency: The supplement labels do not specify the amount of each ingredient or the vitamin and mineral content, making it impossible for consumers to know the exact nutritional value they are receiving [1.7.3].
- High Cost: Compared to similar products on the market, Balance of Nature is significantly more expensive [1.7.3].
- Efficacy Questioned: While whole-food supplements can offer health benefits, some nutrition experts question whether the small amount of powdered produce in the capsules can meaningfully replace the consumption of actual fruits and vegetables [1.7.5, 1.8.4].
Comparison of Claims vs. Alternatives
| Feature | Balance of Nature | Representative Competitor (e.g., Juice Plus, Simply Nature's Promise) | Whole Foods (e.g., an apple) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Ingredients | Proprietary blends of 31 freeze-dried fruits & vegetables [1.4.2] | Similar freeze-dried fruit and vegetable blends [1.7.3] | A single, whole ingredient. |
| Nutritional Info | No specific vitamin/mineral content listed on the label [1.7.3] | Some competitors provide nutritional facts and vitamin content [1.7.3] | Detailed nutritional information is widely available. |
| Regulatory Status | History of FDA warnings for claims and manufacturing practices [1.5.1, 1.5.2] | Varies by company; some have NSF certification for quality assurance [1.7.3] | Regulated as food by the FDA. |
| Cost (Monthly) | ~$70-$90 for Fruits & Veggies, plus a membership fee for discounts [1.7.3] | Often significantly lower, in the range of $40-$60 [1.7.3] | Very low on a per-serving basis. |
| Transparency | Ingredient amounts are proprietary; third-party test results not public [1.7.3] | Some competitors offer public third-party testing results (Certificates of Analysis) [1.7.3] | Full transparency; you see what you eat. |
Conclusion
To directly answer the question: No, Balance of Nature is not made in China. Its manufacturing operations are based in St. George, Utah [1.3.4]. However, the broader context of the company's practices reveals a history of significant regulatory challenges, including FDA warnings for making unapproved health claims and failing to meet manufacturing standards [1.5.1, 1.5.3]. While the company uses whole-food ingredients, the lack of transparency regarding nutritional content and ingredient sourcing, combined with a high price point and a history of customer service complaints, are important factors for any potential consumer to consider [1.7.1, 1.7.3].
For more information on the specific regulatory actions, you can review documents on the FDA's official website. [1.3.2]
