8 Questions To Ask When Finding The Best Supplement Manufacturer

8 Questions To Ask When Finding The Best Supplement Manufacturer

In 2016, the global dietary supplement sector was valued at 133.1 billion in 2016.

Impressive, right?

It won't stop there though. According to research estimates, its value will go up to a whopping CAGR of 9.6% from 2016 until 2024! 

Who wouldn't want to tap into that kind of money well?

But the tightening regulations, scrutiny, and legal pressure placed on supplement brands make it difficult to survive, much less thrive in this field.

Unless, you have the help of the best supplement manufacturer.

What exactly makes a supplement manufacturer the best though? How do you make sure you choose such a company?

One way is through asking the most pertinent questions as you conduct your search.

There are a lot of important questions though, so we've decided to round the eight most crucial ones in this list. Here they are:

1. What Certifications Do You Hold?

The supplements contract manufacturer you hire should carry cGMP (Current Good Manufacturing Process) certification. Imposed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), these regulations ensure supplement manufacturers have proper control over manufacturing processes.

Simply put, cGMP-certified supplement manufacturers meet industry standards; safety for human consumption in particular.

There are several organizations authorized to award these certifications and registrations. Here are some of them:

  • Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
  • NSF International (NSF)
  • Natural Products Association (NPA)
  • United States Pharmacopeia (USP)

When you create your own supplement you want to make sure people will really benefit from its marketed benefits. As important though is to avoid unwanted contaminants and side-effects. In many cases, these may result from low-quality raw materials or poor testing of ingredients.

Which is why you need to choose a cGMP-certified manufacturer. In fact, this type of certification is one of the first things you should ask for when hiring a supplement manufacturer.

2. What Kind and Quality of Raw Materials Do You Use?

Raw materials build the framework and foundation of dietary supplements. These include all ingredients and processing aids.

You need to ensure they satisfy regulatory requirements. Why?

For starters, because this determines that they're safe and legal for what you intend to use them for. Passing regulatory requirements also assures you the materials add to the product's intended use and general quality.

Transparency and validation of the quality of the raw materials is key, including the following procedures::

  • Quarantine
  • Testing
  • Release

So don't be afraid to ask potential supplement contract manufacturers about the source and validation of their raw materials. A trustworthy manufacturer won't have problems telling you right away the origins of their ingredients and be able to provide product quality documentation.

3. How Pure are the Ingredients You Use?

The last thing you want is for your supplement products to cause adverse reactions in users. But these events can – and have – happened. Ingredient impurity is one factor that can contribute to their occurrence.

It's for this reason you should verify the purity of the ingredients used by a supplement manufacturer. Quality controls by the manufacturer and their validated suppliers should test for impurities and include processes that eliminate any contamination. Ask your manufacturer what their procedure is should the testing discover contaminants, heavy metals, or other impurities in the ingredient.

If this is a concern, be sure that your choice in a manufacturer takes your worries in all seriousness.

4. What about Testing Procedures?

Be certain of the supplements' quality right from their very inception. This is one of the best strategies to ensure their overall quality.

This is why good manufacturers verify the identity of their raw materials from the very beginning. They have strict testing standards when it comes to ingredient characterization and authentication. Their testing procedures also include in-depth safety evaluation of each raw component.

Stringent quality control measures equate to high-quality and safe products. Only the best supplement manufacturers understand this.

As such, they take their time in testing all materials throughout manufacturing phases. Good manufacturers have a reputation to maintain after all. For them, this includes protecting their clients' reputation too.

5. What is Your Take on Excipients?

The purer and more natural all phases of the supplement production, the better response from consumers you can get.

Excipients, like fillers, are some of the first things consumers look for. They keep an eye out for the following ingredients:

  • Cellulose
  • Dyes
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Parabens
  • Silicon dioxide

For most of those who see these listed in product labels, the next reaction is a disappointment. In other words, they're put off. For your brand, this could mean losing a lot of potential customers.

Some of these materials may have a role in your supplement formula, especially needed excipients that help stabilize your active ingredient; however, verify your manufacturer is using inactive ingredients properly and not simply as fillers.

6. What Procedures Do You Have for Liquid Supplements?

Manufacturing of liquid supplements requires more diligent research and production. They have a more demanding manufacturing procedure compared to supplements in capsule, pill, and tablet forms.

So if your formula warrants the product to be in liquid form, make sure you check that the manufacturer has the equipment and processes to handle it safely and test it thoroughly.

Keep in mind that liquids have more vulnerabilities and susceptibility to contamination. As such, the manufacturer should enforce proper measures to keep them safe and contaminant-free.

7. How Long Have You Been in Business?

How long the manufacturing company has operated can help shed light on their expertise level. In other words, you'll know what (and how much) they can bring to your business' table.

Experience and skills count. But a good supplement manufacturer also understands the value of keeping abreast with the industry's latest advancements.

As such, look for all three: Expertise, skill, and how the manufacturer deals with technological changes.

8. What Role Do You Handle in Packaging and Labeling?

Packaging and labeling of supplements goes beyond dealing with amazing graphics and great-looking logos. Supplementsy need to have a label that meets FDA regulations.

For instance, the Supplement Facts box has specific regulations on font size, order of ingredients, and many more stipulations.

The best supplement contract manufacturer knows what belongs on your products' packaging and label. In other words, they can help you ensure your supplements remain in compliance with regulations.

The Best Supplement Manufacturer Exceeds Your Expectations

There are several other important questions you need to ask when hiring a supplement manufacturer. There's the minimum order quantity, for instance. Or their standard turnaround time.

The most important thing though, is that only the best supplement manufacturer has honest answers to all these questions. They'll even say no to client demands that don’t adhere to their own quality standards.

If you need help in making your custom formula an actual, real product, feel free to contact Biovation Labs. We'll answer all these questions (and more), so you can start your supplement production!

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