Now Foods

Founded 1968 in Illinois. The American workhorse of clean, affordable supplements.

The story

Now Foods was founded in 1968 by Elwood Richard, a physical chemist who started a 4,500 square foot supplement operation inside Fearn Soya in Illinois. The reason was practical: customers were leaving his health food stores for cheaper supermarket products, so Elwood started manufacturing his own to keep clean nutrition within reach. That accessibility ethos has carried through nearly six decades.

Today the company operates a 263,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution plant in Bloomingdale, Illinois (designed by Elwood's brother Louis), and is still owned and run by the Richard family, now into the third generation. Now Foods earned its NPA GMP certification with an A rating in 2000, holds UL National Brand Certification for dietary supplement manufacturing, and added ISO 22715 cosmetic and SQF natural food certifications in 2017. The combination of scale, multiple in-house labs, and family stewardship is rare in the supplement industry, and it is the reason a Now bottle of B-12 or Vitamin D costs a fraction of comparable clean brands without dropping the testing standards.

Affordable nutrition is not a contradiction. We built our own labs and our own factory so the price on the bottle reflects the contents, not a chain of middlemen.

The Richard Family, Now Foods (founded by Elwood Richard, 1968)

What makes them different

01
In-House Manufacturing

263,000 square feet in Bloomingdale, Illinois. Now Foods runs its own labs, its own production lines, and its own warehouse. Most competitor brands outsource to contract manufacturers; Now controls the chain end to end.
02
Multi-Layer Testing

Every batch is tested in-house for identity, potency, heavy metals, and microbial contamination. Now Foods also holds NPA GMP A-rated and UL NBCP certifications, both of which require ongoing third-party audits of the manufacturing process.
03
Family-Owned, Third Generation

Still owned and operated by the Richard family. Elwood's sons launched the international division (HealthCo) in 1991, and the next generation now runs day-to-day operations. No private equity owners pushing margins or short-term cuts.
04
Affordable Without Compromise

Vertical integration removes broker and contract-manufacturer markups. That is why a Now Foods Vitamin D-3, Magnesium, or B-12 typically lands at half the price of comparable third-party manufactured brands while passing the same lab tests.

The shelf favourites

The handful we reach for most. Ranked by what actually sells, with the why for each.

NOW Foods Oregano Oil - 90 Softgels

R485.00

Standardised oregano oil softgels with carvacrol content verified per batch. Used short-term during cold and flu season and for gut microbial balance protocols.
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NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 2000 IU 120 Softgels

R199.00

The bottle that punches above its weight: 120 softgels of 2000IU D3 in olive oil base, at a price most local SA brands cannot match. Four months supply for daily use.
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NOW Foods Quercetin with Bromelain - 120 Veg Capsules

R829.00

The classic seasonal allergy and inflammatory support combo. Bromelain improves quercetin absorption, which is otherwise poor. 120 caps gives a meaningful 60-day course.
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Now Foods Vitamin D3 & K2 120 Capsules

R369.00

D3 paired with K2 (MK-7) for calcium routing, supporting both bone density and cardiovascular health. The combination matters more than D3 alone if you supplement above 2000IU regularly.
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Shop the full Now Foods range below.

All Now Foods products ↓

Now Foods

Now Foods Vitamin D3 5000IU

R 389.00

Now Foods Vitamin D3 5000IU comes in a bottle of softgels or capsules. 2. Each serving provides 5000 IU of vitamin D3 to support bone health and immune function. 3....

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Now Foods

Now Foods Liquid Chlorophyll - 473ml

R 599.00

Now Foods Liquid Chlorophyll is a natural detoxifier that supports overall wellness. It comes in a 473ml bottle for easy daily use. The formula is designed to promote healthy digestion...

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Now Foods

NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 2000 IU 120 Softgels

R 199.00

NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 provides 2000 IU of vitamin D per softgel to support bone and immune health. The bottle contains 120 softgels for daily use. Vitamin D-3 helps maintain...

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Now Foods

NOW Foods Slippery Elm 400mg 100 Capsules

R 299.00

NOW Foods Slippery Elm provides 400mg of slippery elm bark per capsule to support digestive health. The bottle contains 100 capsules for regular supplementation. It is traditionally used to soothe...

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Now Foods

Now Foods Vitamin D3 & K2 120 Capsules

R 369.00

Provides 1000 IU (45 mcg) Vitamin D-3 and active K-2 to support bone health and calcium absorption. Helps maintain cardiovascular health by assisting proper calcium utilisation in arteries and bone...

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Now Foods

Now Foods Dandelion Root 500mg 100 Veg Capsules

R 359.00

Supports Liver Health : Dandelion root is traditionally used to support liver and gallbladder function, aiding in natural detoxification processes. Rich in Natural Compounds : Contains naturally occurring compounds such...

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Now Foods

NOW Foods Vitamin A 10 000iu - 100 Softgels

R 229.00

NOW Foods Vitamin A 10,000 IU is available in a bottle of 100 softgels. 2. Each softgel provides 10,000 IU of vitamin A, which supports vision, immune function, and skin...

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Now Foods

NOW Foods Selenium 200mcg - 90 Veg Capsules

R 289.00

NOW Foods Selenium 200mcg is available in a bottle of 90 veg capsules. 2. Each capsule provides 200 mcg of selenium, an essential trace mineral with antioxidant properties. 3. The...

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Now Foods

NOW Foods Oregano Oil - 90 Softgels

R 485.00

NOW Foods Oregano Oil is available in a bottle of 90 softgels. 2. Each softgel contains oregano oil, known for its antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. 3. The supplement is used...

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Now Foods

Now Foods Niacinimide (B-3) 500mg

R 399.00

Now Foods Niacinamide (B-3) is available in a 500mg capsule form. 2. It provides a non-flushing form of vitamin B3, which supports energy production and skin health. 3. The supplement...

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Now Foods

Now Foods Methyl Folate 1000mcg-90 Tabs

R 549.00

Supports red blood cell production. Aids in mood regulation. Enhances immune system function. Boosts energy levels. Ingredients: Supplement Facts Serving Size: 1 Tablet Servings Per Container: 90 Description Amount per...

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Now Foods

Now Foods Methyl B12 100 Lozenges

R 275.00

'- Each lozenge delivers 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 in the bioactive methylcobalamin form, ideal for supporting nervous system and brain health. - Vegan-friendly lozenges free from common allergens like...

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Touring the range

Three doorways into the brand: entry, classic, specialty.

START HERE

The everyday essentials

If you are new to Now Foods, start with the daily-use staples: Vitamin D-3, B-12, and a Magnesium. These are the products where Now's manufacturing scale gives the biggest price advantage, and they are the foundation of almost any supplement stack.

NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 2000 IU 120 Softgels R199.00

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BUILD OUT

Targeted formulas

Once the basics are in place, Now's targeted formulas cover immunity (Quercetin with Bromelain), liver (Castor Oil), and gut (Slippery Elm). Each is built around a single, well-studied compound rather than a 20-ingredient kitchen sink.

NOW Foods Quercetin with Bromelain - 120 Veg Capsules R829.00

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SPECIALTY

The premium singles

Royal Jelly, Liquid Chlorophyll, Methyl B-12 lozenges. These are the specialty products where Now's in-house labs really show: harder-to-source ingredients, activated forms, and clean delivery systems at a price point that respects the buyer.

NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 2000 IU 120 Softgels R199.00

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What the brand stands behind

NPA GMP A-Rated

Natural Products Association Good Manufacturing Practice certification with the highest A rating, audited annually since 2000.
UL NBCP Certified

Underwriters Laboratories National Brand Certification Program for dietary supplement manufacturing. Now Foods was one of the first companies to earn this.
In-House Testing Labs

Identity, potency, heavy metals, and microbial testing on every batch. Not outsourced to third-party labs after the fact.
Family-Owned Since 1968

Still owned and operated by the Richard family, now into the third generation. No private equity owners.
ISO 22715 Cosmetic

Added in 2017 for the personal care range, covering cosmetic manufacturing standards.
SQF Natural Food

Safe Quality Food certification for the natural food range, recognised by the Global Food Safety Initiative.

About this brand

Common questions customers ask about the brand and its products.

Why is Now Foods cheaper than other clean supplement brands?

Now manufactures in-house at a 263,000 square foot facility they own outright in Illinois. Most supplement brands are contract manufactured, which adds broker margins, manufacturer margins, and brand margins. Now removes two of those layers. The price difference reflects fewer middlemen, not lower quality. The GMP, UL, and ISO certifications confirm the standards are intact.

How does Now Foods compare to Solgar or Viridian?

All three are clean, well-tested supplement brands. Solgar and Viridian sit at a premium price tier with smaller batch sizes and tighter sourcing stories. Now Foods sits at a mid-tier price with much larger scale, comparable testing, and family ownership. For daily-driver staples (D3, B-12, Magnesium) Now Foods is hard to beat on cost-per-dose. For specialty herbal formulas, Viridian's ethical sourcing may be the better fit.

Are Now Foods supplements third-party tested?

Now Foods runs its own ISO-accredited labs in-house for identity, potency, heavy metals, and microbial testing on every batch. Beyond that, the manufacturing process itself is audited annually by the NPA (GMP A-rating) and UL (NBCP). Many products also carry USP, Non-GMO Project Verified, or Informed Sport seals on the bottle.

Are Now Foods supplements suitable for vegans?

Roughly half the range is. Look for the green 'Vegetarian/Vegan' icon on the label. Veg-capsule products (the ones labelled 'Veg Capsules') are vegan-safe. Softgel products typically use bovine or fish gelatin and are not vegan. The Methyl B-12 lozenges, Quercetin with Bromelain, and Inositol caps in this collection are all vegan-suitable.

Where are Now Foods products made?

All in Bloomingdale, Illinois, USA. The 263,000 square foot facility handles manufacturing, packaging, and distribution. Now Foods does not contract manufacture, which is unusual at their scale.

Are the products fresh by the time they reach South Africa?

Yes. Wellnesstree imports Now Foods stock at high turnover, and the standard expiry on most products is two to three years from manufacture. Check the date on the bottle base; if you have concerns about a specific lot, WhatsApp us with the batch code and we will confirm.

What is the difference between Methyl B-12 and regular B-12?

Methyl B-12 (methylcobalamin) is the activated form, ready for cellular use. Regular B-12 (cyanocobalamin) requires the body to convert it, and around 25 to 40 percent of people have MTHFR gene variants that reduce conversion efficiency. If you have ever supplemented with B-12 without feeling a difference, the methylated form is worth trying.

Now Foods

The story

What makes them different

In-House Manufacturing

Multi-Layer Testing

Family-Owned, Third Generation

Affordable Without Compromise

The shelf favourites

NOW Foods Oregano Oil - 90 Softgels

NOW Foods Vitamin D-3 2000 IU 120 Softgels

NOW Foods Quercetin with Bromelain - 120 Veg Capsules

Now Foods Vitamin D3 & K2 120 Capsules

Touring the range

The everyday essentials

Targeted formulas

The premium singles

What the brand stands behind

NPA GMP A-Rated

UL NBCP Certified

In-House Testing Labs

Family-Owned Since 1968

ISO 22715 Cosmetic

SQF Natural Food

About this brand

Free shipping on all orders over R699

Personal Customer Service

Easy 30-Day Return Guarantee

Proudly South African Family-run business

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