Nutraceuticals are naturally derived, bioactive (usually phytochemical compounds that have health benefits. The nutraceutical consumer product may be delivered as a dietary supplement and/or as a functional food. Functional food products, either naturally occurring or fortified, containing nutraceuticals must be managed to assure quality from "farm gate to plate." Assurance of nutraceutical quality requires a systems approach, commencing with the optimization of the agriceutical crop. Intelligent product-delivery systems philosophy requires identity of the crop botanically, with farm-site identification (via Global Positioning Systems), biodata records, agronomic practice records (Good Agricultural Practices). Phytochemical fingerprinting data requires analyses and tracking of the bioactive nutraceutical components and/or biomarkers. This knowledge requires the development of rapid assay methods and tools to assure real time compliance and standardization with documentation and monitoring for changes during handling, harvesting, processing and production (manufacture into product). Rapid assays can also be used to assure microbiological and chemical safety throughout the shelf-life of the product. Issues currently limiting full quality management need to be established and implemented before out-dated approaches become policy by default.
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