If the quick pass feels thin, or if you're buying a large order, take the longer path. This is where you protect your business from future headaches.

• Verify the license with the issuer: Don't just accept a photocopy. Call the issuing agency or check an online database to confirm it's active and matches the seller's name.
• Ask for certificates of analysis (COAs): These lab reports confirm what's in the product. They're standard in the industry, and a serious supplier will have them for every batch.
• Cross-check the FDA marketing status: Some products have received marketing authorization, others haven't. The FDA's website lets you search for authorized products. If a product isn't authorized, it might still be legal, but you need to understand the risk.
• Review the supply chain: Ask who the manufacturer is and whether the product was imported. Imported products can face extra scrutiny, and you need to know if they meet US standards.

Taking 20 minutes here can save you from stocking products that end up recalled or banned.