Nutraceutical manufacturing is a rapidly growing industry, with millions of Americans relying on dietary supplements to maintain their health. According to a Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) survey, 3 out of 4 Americans take supplements regularly, underscoring the immense demand and opportunity for businesses in the supplements market. This booming sector has created a wealth of options for companies looking to enter the industry, but with so many choices, selecting the right partner can be challenging.
If you’re considering launching your own supplement line, you might be wondering which nutraceutical manufacturer is the best fit for your brand. Should you work with private label nutraceutical manufacturers who can provide ready-made products, or is contract manufacturing nutraceuticals a better option for custom formulations?
Additionally, you’ll want to ensure that your product’s packaging stands out, so finding a manufacturer that offers custom nutraceutical labels is crucial.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing the right nutraceutical manufacturing partner, ensuring you make an informed decision that aligns with your business goals and delivers high-quality products to your customers. Keep reading to learn how to select the perfect manufacturing solution for your supplements.
What Is Nutraceutical Contract Manufacturing?
A nutraceutical is a term derived from the words nutrition and pharmaceutical. As the name suggests, nutraceuticals are products from food sources that offer health and nutritional benefits.
Nutraceutical contract manufacturing involves the production of dietary supplements and other health products on behalf of other businesses that then sell them to consumers under their own brand.
Why Work With Nutraceutical Manufacturing Companies?
Partnering with a nutraceutical manufacturing company offers various benefits over DIY manufacturing, particularly if you’re new to the supplements market. Here’s why you should work with a nutraceutical contract manufacturer:
- Expertise and experience: Reputable manufacturers have vast experience developing safe and effective supplements. They also understand stringent industry regulations, helping businesses avoid costly mistakes.
- Cost-savings: Nutraceutical manufacturers save businesses the high initial costs of setting up manufacturing facilities, buying equipment, and recruiting talent. They can also capitalize on bulk purchasing, enabling businesses to lower production costs.
- Time-savings: Setting up a manufacturing facility from scratch can take several months. With the help of a nutraceutical manufacturer, you can start selling supplements in just a few weeks. Furthermore, manufacturers can streamline production, allowing you to get your products to market faster.
- Focus on core competencies: Outsourcing manufacturing allows you to focus on other core aspects of your business, such as marketing, sales, and branding.
- Access to sophisticated technology: Nutraceutical companies often use advanced technology for efficient production, which is costly to acquire for a DIY set-up.
- Scalability: Reliable manufacturers can adjust production depending on changing demand, eliminating the need to hire additional staff, purchase equipment, or expand a facility.
- Minimized risk: Issues such as product recalls due to quality issues can be costly. Nutraceutical companies bear the costs of product recalls. Many reputable manufacturers also offer liability insurance to protect against claims arising from product issues.
- Diverse product options: Seasoned manufacturers produce various types of dietary supplements, including liquids, pills, powders, and gummies, allowing businesses to provide consumers with more product variety.
9 Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Nutraceutical Manufacturer
Choosing the right nutraceutical manufacturer requires careful consideration due to the numerous options available. Bearing that in mind, here’s what to look for when selecting a nutraceutical contract manufacturer:
Proven Track Record of Success
Partner with a manufacturer with a proven track record of producing effective, pure, and safe nutraceuticals. When assessing manufacturers’ reliability, look for manufacturers with favorable online ratings, reviews, and testimonials.
Quality Control Standards
The best nutraceutical companies adhere to strict quality control standards. When evaluating nutraceutical contract manufacturers, look for manufacturers with industry-recognized certifications, such as the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), USDA Organic, or the Oregon Tilth Certified Organic (OTCO) certifications. These certifications demonstrate the manufacturer’s commitment to quality and safety.
Besides certifications, look for manufacturers that partner with external organizations, such as the NSF, USP, or ConsumerLab.com, to conduct third-party testing. Manufacturers that perform third-party testing can guarantee the efficacy and safety of their nutraceuticals.
Specialized Knowledge and Expertise
Not every nutraceutical manufacturer possesses the same expertise. While some excel at producing protein powders, others are better at manufacturing gummies.
Choose a manufacturer with expertise in producing the specific type of nutraceutical product you want to sell to consumers. For example, if you want to create a liquid multivitamin for bariatric patients, look for a manufacturer with the technical know-how to produce bariatric liquid vitamins.
That said, it’s best to partner with a manufacturer adept at producing various dietary supplements, such as liquids, pills, gummies, and powders.
Ingredient Sourcing Practices
Inquire about where and how potential manufacturers source their raw materials. Ideally, your chosen manufacturer should use high-quality, sustainable, and ethically sourced ingredients.
Besides, ingredient sourcing practices choose a manufacturer with a robust supply chain. As a rule of thumb, the manufacturer you choose should have a strong network of suppliers to mitigate supply chain disruptions.
Manufacturing Capabilities
Evaluate the manufacturer’s ability to handle your specific product needs. A good manufacturer should be able to increase or decrease production depending on consumer demand for your product.
A good manufacturer should also be able to produce custom formulations tailored to your particular needs, as offering custom formulations can allow your brand to stand out from other generic brands.
Finally, a good manufacturer should be able to provide flexible packaging options. Whether you prefer plastic or glass bottles, the contract manufacturer should offer packaging options that meet your brand’s needs.
Adaptability to Minimum Order Quantities
A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of units a nutraceutical manufacturer will sell you in a single order. For instance, if you want to place an order with a nutraceutical company with an MOQ of at least 100 bottles, you must purchase at least 100 bottles for the company to accept and fulfill the order.
Choose a manufacturer with an MOQ that aligns with your business’s needs and budget. If you’re running a small enterprise or launching a new product, it’s advisable to partner with a manufacturer that offers flexible MOQs.
Efficient Turnaround Times
In the competitive nutraceuticals space, speed to market can be a massive differentiator. Look for a manufacturer that offers quick turnaround times to ensure you meet consumer demand promptly.
That said, be wary of manufacturers with unrealistic turnaround times. A manufacturer that prioritizes speed at the expense of quality can do more harm than good for your business if industry regulators determine that your products are unsafe and ineffective.
So, if a manufacturer promises lead times of just a few days, you might want to explore other options.
Clear Communication and Responsive Customer Service
Effective communication is vital for a smooth collaboration. Choose a manufacturer with a responsive customer service team that listens to your concerns.
Additionally, choose a manufacturer that prioritizes transparent communication and provides clear information on timelines and potential production challenges.
Working with a nutraceutical company with stellar communication and customer service can ensure you stay on the same page throughout the production process.
Value for Money and Transparent Pricing
While cost is a huge determining factor when selecting a nutraceutical manufacturing partner, you shouldn’t settle for the cheapest option. Instead, request detailed quotes from potential manufacturers and assess raw material, labor, packaging, labeling, and fulfillment costs.
Also, compare the services potential manufacturers offer. If you want to get good value for money, you’ll want to hire a manufacturing partner that balances quality and affordability.
Partner With a Reliable Nutraceutical Manufacturing Company
Selecting the right nutraceutical contract manufacturer is critical to the success of your brand. If you choose an unsuitable partner, you may experience frequent delays, product quality issues, and an inability to scale. These issues can cost your business significant losses or even damage your business’s reputation.
So, don’t settle for the first manufacturer you encounter. Instead, assess various potential manufacturers based on these nine factors to ensure you select a manufacturer that aligns with your business goals.
At Matsun Nutrition, we have over 30 years of experience producing various high-quality supplements, including liquid vitamins, gummy vitamins, and powder supplements. We also offer custom formulation services, allowing businesses to produce supplements tailored to particular consumer needs.
And best of all? We offer low MOQs of just 12 bottles, making it easy for small businesses to launch supplements businesses.
Ready to launch a thriving nutraceutical brand? Contact us today for a free quote or to learn more about our nutraceutical manufacturing services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nutraceutical manufacturers can help you reduce production costs, expedite the process, and ensure your supplements meet regulatory requirements. Additionally, outsourcing manufacturing allows you to focus on other core business activities like branding, sales, and marketing rather than worrying about production.
Assess the manufacturer's quality control practices and request certifications demonstrating a commitment to efficacy and safety, such as the GMP certification. Also, inquire whether the manufacturer conducts third-party testing to guarantee the effectiveness and safety of supplements.
Besides helping with production, many nutraceutical companies offer custom formulation services. If you want to produce a custom formulation, inquire whether the manufacturer you want to partner with offers custom formulation services.
The lead time for supplement manufacturing varies based on formula complexity, batch size, and special production requirements. Ask about production lead times to ensure they align with your timelines.
Nutraceutical contract manufacturers offer various packaging options, including bottles, pouches, and blister cards. Confirm whether the manufacturer provides packaging solutions that are aligned with your branding before starting a partnership.
