Choosing an Ingredient Supplier for Supplements: The Ultimate Guide

Picture this. It’s a Thursday afternoon; you receive a call from your largest client. They want you to test out a new product; a ready-to-consume sports bar to boost stamina and endurance for their latest target audience – athletes.

They also tell you that they have a budget to meet, but they want this product to be extremely effective.

After ideation, research and planning, your product development team begins gathering the necessary ingredients needed from their stock of currently approved suppliers. They have all the ingredients they need for the prototype, except for the main one; a dietary supplement to boost stamina.

Post extensive research on these supplements, the purchasing team has the task of obtaining them quickly.

But a problem arises. The product should meet quality norms, be reasonably priced, and has to be approved by all teams in the company.

So, how does the purchasing team find a reputable ingredient supplier for this specific ingredient?

Read ahead to find out.

Questions to Ask While Choosing a Reputable Ingredient Supplier

Do They Meet the Basic Quality Standards?

The ingredient supplier of your choice must meet several criteria as established by the product development, quality assurance, manufacturing and sales and marketing departments.

Manufacturing will require the dietary supplement to be packaged in containers or sachets for ease of use and production.
Sales and marketing will dictate the range of costs for a product that is acceptable to the client.
Quality assurance will have a list of criteria that have to be met for quality control and food safety.

An ingredient supplier should have a history of supplying acceptable products and services, as indicated by the number of years in business, customers’ reviews, financial stability and audit results. A reputable supplier business should also meet regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Do They Meet the Minimum Certification Requirements?

Registration with the U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) and a number or signed letter stating that they are registered and comply with the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002.
A signed letter of guarantee ensuring that they supply products that are unadulterated and safe within the meaning of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act as amended.
A certificate of insurance, naming the company as additionally insured.
A copy of the latest food and beverage safety and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) audit report they have received within the previous year.
A copy of their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) program.
A materials safety data sheet specifying all chemical ingredients used.
An emergency information sheet listing the person(s) responsible for emergency responses.
A specification sheet for the ingredients to be supplied, containing the following:-

An ingredient statement with all information on the allergens present
The nutrition facts label
The shelf life of the product and storage conditions
Packaging information
A traceability code and an explanation on how to understand it
A description of the product

Are They Certified by Local Bodies?

A Certificate of Free Sale from the state in which the company operates should be asked for to ensure that the supplier is in good standing with the state’s regulatory agencies. Any potential food ingredient supplier unable to obtain a Certificate of Free Sale should not be taken into consideration.

After obtaining the necessary documents, reviewing them for completeness and accuracy is necessary. The product development team should analyze specification tolerances, while quality assurance ensures quality control. This step in the supplier evaluation process should not be overlooked.

Are Their Samples Clinically Approved?

It is essential to ask potential suppliers for product samples. If after review, these samples are found to be unacceptable, it is safe to assume that the final products delivered will be the same.

Once samples are satisfactory, it is up to the purchasing team to select and approve first and second choice ingredient suppliers.

Can They Add Value to Your Business?

A key criterion for selecting the right supplier is value. Cost should not be the lone factor. Instead, the supplier’s capabilities and total cost of ownership should be looked at. This includes:

Customer Service
Delivery Commitments
Readability & Responsiveness
Corrective Action
Resource Savings

Do They Understand the Key Metrics of Their Business?

It is essential to ensure that suppliers have an in-depth understanding of their operations. Therefore, self-assessment questionnaires can be utilized to identify any performance gaps.

It is also crucial for the research team to monitor informative metrics that direct value to the business and business practices. Examples of these metrics include rejected lots, perfect shipments and documentation errors, which should measure the total cost of ownership and improve performance to ensure quality finished products.

Are They Looking to Create Long-Term Relationships?

In the end, manufacturer and ingredient supplier relationships are at their best when a strategic alliance is formed, allowing complete knowledge of the source of materials and ensuring high quality.

When choosing a supplier, it is essential to select one with which you can create strong business partnerships. When these relationships are established, a supplier is more likely to:

Anticipate what is needed from manufacturers and undertake the leadership role in communication.
Notify the manufacturer if problems occur that limit production availability, or if a quality issue is identified.
Communicate production delays when downtime or maintenance is necessary .
Improve overall supplier performance.

Establishing a mutual partnership, even before selecting the supplier allows for increased understanding and mutually beneficial supplier management.

Other Necessary Questions to Ask:

What is the variety of ingredients they can provide?
Where do they source ingredients from?
What is the delivery time?
What is the price range of products?
Who are the other clients? What do they say about the vendors?
Is the ingredient tested and are there clinical studies to support claims?

Choosing the right ingredient supplier may seem complicated, but it is crucial to ensure the success of the final product in terms of both quality and safety. To minimize the risk to your company, choose the ingredient source wisely. Then, confirm this source when it arrives and test the product to verify that it meets expectations and is safe to use. Finally, document all these steps to validate your commitment to product quality and safety.

At Enovate Biolife, we supply scientifically proven ingredients that are unparalleled to the market. Our customers are constantly provided with an array of products that boost stamina and improve overall health.

To learn more about the products we offer, email us at info@enovatebiolife.com

What are you waiting for? Add the missing ingredient to your product now.

January 18, 2021/by jayesg

Blog, Uncategorized

The Ultimate Guide to Creating an FDA Compliant Nutrition Facts Label

For first time manufacturers, creating a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) compliant nutrition label may seem like a daunting task.

Very often, they are so intimidated at the thought of developing a compliant food label; thereby postponing this crucial aspect of the manufacturing process.

Recipes are perfected, the packaging is ordered, and the package label is designed. But an essential element; the Nutrition Facts Label; is usually forgotten or sidelined.

Most experienced manufacturers would agree that this mistake is fairly common, and we’re here to make sure you don’t make that same error.

Having an FDA compliant food label is a critical part of any product pitch, and being well informed about the options available to create this label is crucial. To make this process easier, we’ve put together a list of simple ways by which you can attain a nutrition facts label for your product.

Weighing Your Options

Manufacturers can use several ways to attain an FDA compliant nutrition facts label. These include:

Laboratory Analysis
Independent Company/Consultant
CD-ROM Programs
Web-Based Nutrition Analysis Software

Let’s take a look at these four options, as well as their pros and cons.

Laboratory Analysis

Laboratory analysis involves preparing food samples and sending them away for testing to attain a comprehensive ingredient list.

These food testing laboratories help manufacturers comply with regulations, by analysing food products for a wealth of nutritional, mandatory and voluntary components required by the FDA and USDA for food labelling purposes. For a higher fee, these research centres develop FDA compliant nutrition facts labels for manufacturers.

While food laboratories provide accurate results, the cost, the hassle and the wait time are all high. Analysis of a single food product can cost as much as $800, so for a manufacturer with multiple products, this option would not be viable.

It is also essential to keep in mind that each time the product is tweaked, the sample will have to be sent to the food laboratory for further analysis.

The process of preparing, packaging and shipping food samples is also time-consuming. It can also take up to a month to receive results and ready food labels from the lab. As a general rule, food laboratories only have to be used if products are deep-fried or heavily processed.

Independent Company/Consultant

For manufacturers that do not want to conduct the nutrition analysis themselves, having an independent consultant or nutritionist to create a nutrition facts label is a fairly common yet expensive choice. Generally, this costs several hundred dollars per recipe.

While many companies keep the information they receive confidential, for first-time manufacturers to hand their recipes over to stranger companies can be nerve-wracking.

Again, in case of recipe alterations, a fee of around $100 has to be paid. Additional charges are usually applied when specific claims are made (e.g. when nutrient content claims it qualifies for low fat).

CD-ROM Programs

A CD-ROM containing nutrition facts label templates is an affordable choice to create this label internally. Most food manufacturers may be familiar with this technique. But sometimes, they can be complex to navigate and limited in several ways.

Firstly, the program must be installed on a computer, and the software must be compatible with it.
There is a considerable risk of losing confidential product information in case the computer crashes, is lost or stolen.
Additionally, if the FDA nutritional guidelines are updated, newer versions of the program will have to be purchased, making it a short term investment.

Web-Based Nutrition Analysis Software

Of all options, the quickest and most efficient way to create a nutrition facts label is by using an FDA compliant online software. FDA compliant online software is cheap, costing less than industry standards per recipe. Allergen statements, nutrient content claims and several layouts of the label are usually included in this.

These web-based databases have access to thousands of pre-analysed ingredients. If an ingredient isn’t in the database, it can be added easily. Certain types of online software, like ReciPal.com and LabelCalc.com, also come with expert consulting, ensuring experts create your nutrition facts panel for you.

Given a limited budget and time constraints; a web-based nutrition analysis software is the most affordable way to attain a nutrition facts label.

The steps are given below, from start to finish:

Go to one of the websites mentioned above.
Create an account with a username and secure password.
Sign in to the account, enter your product recipe and serving size.
The software will generate your FDA-compliant nutrition facts label, allergen statements and any qualifying nutrient content claims.
Modify your ingredient list, amounts, serving size, label layout. If there are multiple variations of the same product, the duplicate function can be used to create new recipes to alter.

Once you have created and saved your recipe, click Label Display. Your initial label will look something like this:

After you are satisfied with your label, download and print it out.

Depending on the complexity of the product, this process should take an hour or two. Once users are familiar with it, creating a nutrition facts label can take as little as 5 minutes.

While creating a nutrition facts label may seem complicated, the right web-based nutritional analysis and label generator can work wonders, making the process relatively simple.

At Enovate Biolife, our ingredients and dietary supplements are 100% US FDA-GCP compliant clinical studies published in international Journals.

We supply scientifically proven ingredients that are unparalleled to the market. Our customers are constantly provided with an array of products that boost stamina and improve overall health.

To learn more about the products we offer, email us at info@enovatebiolife.com

January 18, 2021/by jayesg

Blog, Uncategorized

Dietary Supplements Are More Popular Than Ever

Market Analysis

The Global Dietary Supplements Market was valued at 124.8 billion dollars in 2018 and is expected to reach over 210 billion dollars by 2026. Source

The Widespread Use of Dietary Supplements Across All Age Groups

In recent years, health and fitness has become a massive trend. Millennials, on average, are more aware and conscious about their health and overall physique, leading to a boom in the consumption of dietary supplements.

A consumer survey conducted by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) on Dietary Supplements, reveals the highest overall dietary supplement usage to date, with 77% of people reporting they consume dietary supplements. The survey also revealed that the majority of both males and females, aged 18+, take nutritional supplements. Among all age groups, adults between the ages of 35 and 54 have the highest use of dietary supplements at a whopping 81%. Source

A Comprehensive Breakup of Dietary Supplement Consumption Source

A recent survey conducted by CRN states that the intake of Dietary Supplements is prevalent amongst the following demographic groups:

79% of female adults
74% of male adults
70% of adults 18 – 34
81% of adults 35 – 54
79% of adults 55+
83% of adults with children under 18 in the household
75% of adults without children under 18 in the household
81% of adults employed full-time
77% of adults employed part-time
68% of adults without employment
76% of retired adults
81% of adults who are married

What Types of Supplements Are the Most Popular? Source

With respect to the types of supplements being consumed, CRN’s 2019 survey found that vitamins and minerals continue to be the most popular supplement category, with around 76% of people having taken these products in the past 12 months. Other popular categories in the United States include:

Speciality Supplements (40%)
Herbals & Botanicals (39%)
Sports Nutrition Supplements (28%)
Weight Management Supplements (17%)

Are Dietary Supplements Really Beneficial?

For years there have been myths surrounding health supplements and the intake of multivitamins. We’re here to tell you that consuming supplements alongside a balanced diet leads to an array of incremental benefits.

Supplements assist your body in replenishing the necessary amount of dietary nutrients that it requires every day, in addition to a balanced and nutritional diet.

They should be taken with the right amount of exercise and sleep, which most people overlook. Supplements are also an excellent way to improve your immune system, giving your body the nutritional boost it needs to work at an optimal level.

At Enovate Biolife, we supply scientifically proven unmatched ingredients for supplements. Our customers are provided with an array of product categories that boost stamina and improve overall health: Our Range

So, Have Dietary Supplements Become Mainstream?

Source: Diploma Certificate in Dietary Supplements Advisor

According to Nancy Weindruch, vice president, communications, Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), “While the industry continues to innovate, there is no denying that these regulated products have indeed become mainstream. More than three-quarters of Americans are taking dietary supplements each year; a crystal clear trend that serves as an indicator of the vital role supplementation plays in their overall health and wellness regimens”. Source

Consistent with previous years results, the results from the 2019 CRN survey revealed high overall confidence in the safety and quality of dietary supplements and great trust in the dietary supplement industry. Consumers’ high confidence and trust primarily arise from innovative and responsible companies who are committed to bringing world-class products to the market.

Government agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), who regulate dietary ingredients, also contribute to higher consumer confidence and trust. It’s the FDA’s enforcement of the law that allows for there to be a wide margin of safety for the dietary supplement industry.

According to Weindruch, several factors have emerged during the years that have piqued consumer interest and lead to rising awareness about the dietary supplement industry.

“Consumers are taking a more integrative approach to their health, of which nutrition is a core component. With the growth and maturation of the dietary supplement industry, dietary supplements are now mainstream. Consumer access to dietary ingredients has never been greater, considering the number of large, reputable brands that have moved into the space coupled with omnichannel retail.”

Herbals, botanicals and specific supplements such as melatonin showed signs of growth. Meanwhile, multivitamins, vitamin D and vitamin C kept a steady lead ahead of protein, calcium and magnesium supplements.

In the words of the former FDA commissioner Scott Gottlieb, Dietary supplements have become a routine part of the American lifestyle. They’re more popular than ever, including among young people. It’s time to ensure that people of all ages can trust the safety of their supplements.

At Enovate Biolife, our proprietary ingredients are 100% US FDA-GCP compliant and have clinical studies published in reputed international journals.

To learn more about the ingredients we offer, email us at info@enovatebiolife.com

December 17, 2020/by jayesg