Where Can I Buy Pure Maca?

If you’ve done any kind of research into the health food industry, you know that you should take what’s on the label with a grain of salt. Even at the grocery store, it’s all too easy to be fooled by a big, bold “ORGANIC!” label slapped on a jar. But all too often those labels are misleading, and the world of dietary supplements is no different. How do you know if your maca product is really all maca?

FDA Regulations

While the U.S. Food and Drug and Administration does regulate both finished dietary supplement products and dietary ingredients, it does so under a different set of regulations than those covering “conventional” foods and drug products. To be precise, while the FDA does prohibit marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded, the organization leaves it to the firms themselves to evaluate the safety and labeling of their products with little real oversight. They’re limited to postmarket enforcement, which means it’s up to the manufacturers and distributors themselves to record, investigate, and forward any reported issues to the FDA.

Well, you can see where that might pose an issue. You don’t have to look far to find stories of manufacturers dropping the ball with disastrous effects. The past decade has given us everything from adulterated ice cream to liquid multivitamins contaminated with dangerous bacteria. You can’t always count on a manufacturer to do the right thing. And far too often, the consumer only learns of the risk after it’s too late.

Buying Maca

So you’ve decided to add maca to your diet. Congratulations on making a health-conscious decision! Now you probably want to find the best maca out there. Some basic research will tell you that maca originates in the Andes region of Peru, where it’s been grown for human consumption for centuries. Does that mean all maca is grown in Peru, though?

The short answer is “no.” In the early 2000s, seeds and maca roots were smuggled from Peru to China, where Chinese farmers began attempting to grow their own maca crops with some limited success. As a result, the Peruvian government would outlaw the export of maca seeds and whole roots not just to head off any competition, but to protect against the exploitation of this culturally-significant superfood.

Their concerns were not unfounded. While some browsing turns up plenty of results for “maca supplements,” looking closer at some of these products reveals that they may be adulterated or blended with other ingredients. Furthermore, buying Peruvian rather than Chinese-grown maca isn’t just an act of snobbery - scientific research has identified measurable differences between maca grown in these two countries. For more information, read our page on Peruvian vs. Chinese Maca Root Powder.

Why Choose The Maca Team?

Remember when we mentioned those fancy labels that don’t actually mean anything? Well, they mean something to us. Which is why we take pride in letting everyone know that our organic maca root products are certified Fair Trade and non-GMO. They’re sustainably-grown by a co-op of farmers located right in the Junin Plateau region of the Peruvian Andes and harvested at the peak of the maca root season before being shipped to us in small batches, ensuring that you’re getting the freshest maca you can buy.

We do sell some blended products like our Morning Motivator maca coffee substitute and Maca Blue, which contains blue spirulina powder for an antioxidant boost. The rest of our products, though? They’re all 100% Peruvian maca root. Whether you’re purchasing one of our raw maca powders or liquid maca extracts, you’ll never have to worry about any additives or surprise ingredients. We’ve done our best to provide as much information as possible not just about our maca products, but about maca as a food and how to consider adding it to your dietary routine.

Still Have Questions?

We’re not just looking to make a buck - we want you to know that you’re buying the highest quality maca you can find, so you can be confident about your decision. If you have any further questions about our maca, don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at 888-919-8616. We’re happy to help.

Enjoy the day!