What every supplement brand should know, from formula to shelf.
Our free knowledge base for brand owners and sourcing teams. Guides and quizzes from our formulation, compliance, quality and packaging teams cover ingredient trends, labeling, organic certification, packaging and marketplace approval.
Complimentary guides from our team
Practical references from our formulation, compliance, quality and packaging teams. Take the six-question quiz beside each guide to test your knowledge, then download the full guide.
General information, not legal or regulatory advice.
Common questions, briefly answered
The topics our compliance team discusses most often with brand owners. Each is covered in more detail in the Label Self-Audit.
Disease claims vs. structure/function claims
Words such as cures, treats, prevents and mitigates make a supplement an unapproved drug. Structure/function language such as supports, promotes and maintains describes the same benefit within the rules.
Self-Audit: Six Forbidden Words →Claim language that keeps the benefit
Some words depend on context. "Improves energy" may be acceptable; "reduces blood pressure" is not. Small wording changes can keep a claim persuasive and compliant.
Self-Audit: The word heatmap →Net vs. gross ingredient weight
A raw material's labeled weight is not always its active weight. A 95%-active ingredient needs about 105.27 mg of raw material to deliver a true 100 mg on the label.
Self-Audit: Blind Spot: net vs. gross →Units, "as" statements and botanical names
Vitamin D in mcg rather than IU only, minerals declared with their chemical form, and botanicals listed with their Latin name and plant part.
Self-Audit: Blind Spots →The DSHEA disclaimer
Any structure/function claim requires the exact statutory disclaimer, in bold type, linked to the claim and on the same panel.
Self-Audit: The Disclaimer Rule →"Made in USA" and globally sourced ingredients
An unqualified "Made in USA" claim requires that all or virtually all of the product be domestic. Products with imported ingredients need a qualified statement.
Self-Audit: Bonus: FTC origin claims →Questions we hear most often
What are your minimum order quantities?
Our minimum is 1,000 units per order. For capsules, the minimum is 100,000 capsules.
What are typical lead times?
Typical lead times are 8 to 10 weeks: about 8 weeks for capsules and 10 weeks for powders. Your dedicated contact confirms timing for each order.
Which dosage forms and packaging do you offer?
We manufacture capsules in sizes 000, 00EL, 00, 0, 1 and 2, in gelatin, veggie HPMC, enteric-coated and organic pullulan shells, as well as blended powders. Packaging includes bottling, labeling, induction sealing, retail cartons, stick packs, gusset bags and bulk.
Can you help develop a formula?
Yes. Our in-house R&D team supports formulation, including raw material specifications, density, fill weight and gross vs. net review.
Do you review our label?
Yes. Every label is reviewed by our compliance team before production and verified against the finished product before shipment.
Is every product third-party tested?
Yes. Every product is tested by an independent laboratory. Microbiological, identity and assay testing are required for every product; heavy metals and pesticides are added as your product requires.
Which certifications do you hold?
We are certified to NSF/ANSI 455-2 (Dietary Supplements GMP) and certified by CCOF for organic handling under the USDA organic regulations. Certificates are available on our Quality & Compliance page.
Can our quality team audit your facility?
Yes. Client and auditor visits to our Brea, California facility are welcome. Contact us to arrange a date.
How long does a quotation take?
We confirm receipt of every quotation request within one business day. Because each quotation is prepared from verified ingredient sources and current pricing, the full quotation follows once sourcing and pricing are confirmed, and timing depends on the formula.
Have a question we haven't covered?
Our team is glad to help, whether you are reviewing a label or planning your next product.