In the United States, vitamins and supplements are a booming industry with Americans spending tens of billions of dollars each year. Many people take multi-vitamin supplements to provide all the necessary micronutrients for optimal function.
Some of us target our supplement use for specific needs. Older women take calcium for bone strength. Those suffering from depression or general tiredness will take a vitamin b12 supplement. Athletes use protein supplements to promote muscle growth. I have found major inflammation reduction and pain relief from taking turmeric and omega-3 fatty acid supplements.
With this major increase in dietary supplement use, business is booming. You may be looking for a supplement manufacturer to help you start your supplement brand. Finding a qualified manufacturer is essential to your overall product and business opportunities. Here are seven things to consider when selecting a supplement manufacturer:
1. What is Most Important to You in the Production of Your Brand?
Take some time to determine what is most important to you in a supplement brand. Is it the lowest cost like a store brand? Is it tracking the use of organic ingredients from seed to shelf like Gaia Herbs or Garden of Life brands? Is it a single-minded focus on quality and purity like Thorne or Klaire Labs brands?
Once you determine your brand’s most important criteria, will the supplement manufacture make it their focus?
2. Does the Manufacturer Comply with GMP?
Supplement manufacturers are regulated by the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA has established Current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) that must be followed to ensure the identity, strength, quality, and purity of the supplement. To comply with GMP, a supplement manufacturer must be operating out of a facility in good condition, with properly maintained and calibrated equipment, fully-trained employees, and complete and traceable documentation. (https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/facts-about-current-good-manufacturing-practices-cgmps)
Private third-party companies like NSF International offer GMP certifications. (link GMP Certification article) However, it is important to recognize
these certifications are not required by the FDA. Nor do they completely ensure the company is GMP compliant. In addition, third-party certification costs thousands of dollars which substantially increases the manufacturing cost of supplement brands.
3. What Certifications Does the Manufacturer Have?
Supplement manufacturers can obtain cost-effective certifications. Organic, Kosher, and Halal certifications show a manufacturer’s attention to standard process details and the production of a high-quality supplement.
Organic Certification means the manufacturer has implemented an organic plan.
An inspector visits the facility annually to ensure the facility’s procedures prevent contamination from non-organic materials including chemicals or genetically modified organisms. (https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/10/10/organic-101-five-steps-organic-certification)
Kosher Certification upholds the Jewish faith and is concerned about conforming to Biblical dietary laws. Once a facility is Kosher certified unannounced inspections can happen quarterly. (https://earthkosher.com/organic-versus-kosher-certification/)
Halal Certification means the ingredients and production process are approved by Islamic consumption laws and certification must be renewed annually. (https://www.superiorsupplementmfg.com/halal-certified-manufacturer/)
Certifications require precise equipment cleaning to avoid contamination, detailed documentation of ingredients identity and purity, and additional quality testing.
4. What Quality Assurance and Testing Procedures does the Manufacturer have in place?
To ensure the identity and safety of incoming materials, does the manufacture run identity and microbiology testing? Is efficacy testing done on post product to ensure it meets the set guidelines for your brand? Ask questions of the supplement manufacturer to understand what tests are required for your brand and the associated costs. Discuss any label claims you are considering to ensure your brand will meet them.
5. Is the Manufacturer Transparent?
Does the manufacturer communicate with you during the entire process, clearly defining your brand’s formulation, testing, manufacturing, packaging, and cost? Are your questions and concerns addressed promptly and respectfully?
Will they contact you if something happens during the process that will lengthen your brand’s delivery date?
For example, if one of the ingredients in your product fails the initial testing requirements and must be rejected. Does the manufacturer directly communicate to you and update you on the new time frame for your brand?
Clear, transparent communication will set your mind at ease and make your brand’s development and production an exciting adventure.
6. Does the Manufacturer have Connections to help you with Graphic Design, Label Printers, Marketers, and Fulfillment Centers?
Your brand is unique to you and requires appealing labeling, marketing, and shipping to get it in the hands of consumers. Does your manufacture have the contacts and ability to help you both identify your brand’s needs and to see your brand succeed in the supplement market?
Ask questions like:
· What packaging options do you have?
· Do you have any suggestions for marketing my brand?
· What information do I need to put on the label concerning nutritional supplement facts, possible side effects, or medical advice?
7. What Experience do Individual Members of the Manufacturer’s Team have in the Dietary Supplement Industry?
Often companies will boast of their combined years of experience. However, you can’t fully comprehend their expertise when given their experience in combined years. If a company claims forty years of experience, and they have forty employees, have they only been in business for a year?
Instead of looking at the combined years of a manufacturing company’s experience, determine their expertise by asking about the education and experience of the senior members of the company including the Research and Development team members.
Get your Brand Rolling by Talking to Supplement Manufacturers
Dietary Supplement markets are exploding as individuals look for natural health benefits for quality life extension without the side effects of most prescription medications.
Omega-3 fatty acids and turmeric have given me the pain relief for my joints that I desperately needed without the side effects of common non-steroid
anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs. (Long term NSAID use rips up the lining of the stomach causing digestive issues and even worse can permanently damage the liver or kidneys.)
You can be part of the growing dietary supplement market and help people discover better health in natural ways. To get YOUR BRAND rolling, start talking to supplement manufacturers today.
Sources:
“Facts About the Current Good Manufacturing Practices.” FDA. 2018. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/facts-about-current-good-manufacturing-practices-cgmps
McEvoy, Miles. “Organic 101: Five Steps to Organic Certification.” USDA. 2017. https://www.usda.gov/media/blog/2012/10/10/organic-101-five-steps-organic-certification
“Organic Versus Kosher Certification.” Earth Kosher. 2020. https://earthkosher.com/organic-versus-kosher-certification/
“Superior Halal Certified Supplement Manufacturer.” Superior Supplement Manufacturer. 2020. https://www.superiorsupplementmfg.com/halal-certified-manufacturer/
Akabas, Sharon, et al. “Quality Certification Programs for Dietary Supplements.” Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 2016. https://jandonline.org/article/S2212-2672(15)01642-1/fulltext