Find The Perfect Supplement Manufacturer
Starting a dietary supplement business isn’t easy — and one of the hardest parts is finding the right contract manufacturer. In my 17+ years of helping fast-growing supplement brands, I’ve seen the same three factors come up over and over again when companies vet suppliers:
Price and minimum order quantities (MOQs)
Inventory management and on-time delivery
High-quality, compliant products
By the end of this post, you’ll know how to identify a reputable and dependable dietary supplement manufacturer. I’ll share three best practices for narrowing down your options, two key questions you can use to test their regulatory expertise, and answer the common question: “Brian, what manufacturer do you recommend?”
Key Takeaway
The best supplement manufacturers aren’t just the ones who can make capsules or powders at the lowest price. They’re the ones who:
Manufacture directly (not through brokers)
Welcome site visits and audits
Lock in pricing and guarantee delivery
Understand FDA and FTC regulations — and warn you about risks
Choosing the wrong manufacturer can leave you stuck with underperforming products, regulatory exposure, or inventory delays. The right one becomes a long-term partner who helps your brand grow safely and sustainably.
1. Work Directly With Manufacturers, Not Brokers
Many “manufacturers” you’ll find online are actually brokers — middlemen who connect you with a real facility but take a cut. The problem? When something goes wrong, brokers often:
Refuse to reveal who the real manufacturer is
Delay communication between you and the facility
Avoid responsibility when there’s a quality issue
If you’re dealing directly with the manufacturer, you can resolve problems faster, hold them accountable, and maintain more control over your brand.
2. Visit the Facility (or Plan To)
Large brands send consultants or in-house experts to audit facilities. You may not be able to do that on day one, but touring the facility — even later — is essential. Look for:
Cleanliness and organization of production lines
Whether production rooms are temperature/humidity controlled
How employees handle raw materials and packaging
Whether supplements are being packed in a GMP-compliant environment or just a warehouse
These observations give you insight into whether the manufacturer can support long-term growth — especially once retailers or distributors start auditing your supply chain.
3. Secure Pricing and Delivery Commitments
In today’s climate of supply chain disruption, ingredient shortages, and rising costs, you need a manufacturer who will:
Lock in pricing for a set period
Guarantee delivery timelines
Communicate quickly about delays or shortages
Without these commitments, your costs can spiral and your launch timeline can collapse.
Testing a Manufacturer’s Regulatory Knowledge
Even if a manufacturer looks solid operationally, you still need to assess their understanding of FDA and FTC requirements. Here are two simple tests:
Question 1: “Can I claim my product is Made in the USA?”
A compliant answer should explain that FTC has strict rules for this claim. Just being manufactured in the U.S. isn’t enough. If they say “yes” without hesitation, that’s a red flag.
Question 2: “Can you make me a supplement with NAC (N-acetylcysteine)?”
The FDA has ruled that NAC is not permitted in dietary supplements and has issued warning letters. A qualified manufacturer should warn you about the risks. If they say “yes” immediately, that’s another red flag.
If a supplier fails these tests, you can:
Keep searching for another manufacturer
Shoulder the risk yourself
Bring in outside compliance experts to protect your brand (the safest option)
Why I Don’t Recommend a “One-Size-Fits-All” Manufacturer
Founders often ask me: “Which contract manufacturer should I use?” The truth is, there isn’t a universal answer. A manufacturer that performs well for one client may cut corners for another. Factors like staffing changes, leadership turnover, or cost-cutting can change the quality of service quickly.
The key is to properly vet suppliers, set expectations upfront, and build a process for ongoing oversight — not to rely on a “magic list” of the best manufacturers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do brokers ever make sense for supplement startups?
Rarely. Brokers add cost and slow down problem-solving. Direct relationships with manufacturers almost always serve you better.
What should I look for on a site visit?
Clean production areas, controlled environments, engaged employees, and clear separation of product lines.
Why is pricing stability so important?
Ingredient and packaging costs can change monthly. Locked-in pricing prevents sudden cost spikes that can eat into your margins.
How do I test a manufacturer’s compliance knowledge?
Ask about FTC’s Made in the USA claim and NAC. If they give overly simple answers or don’t explain the risks, that’s a red flag.
Can I rely on a manufacturer to handle compliance?
No. Ultimately, the FDA holds the brand — not the manufacturer — responsible for compliance. Always have your own compliance checks in place.
Next Steps
Finding a trustworthy manufacturer is one of the most critical steps in building a supplement brand. The right partner will save you money, protect you from compliance risks, and support long-term growth.
I help founders vet and manage manufacturers through consultation sessions and my Supplement Startup Essentials Training (SET). The training includes strategies, compliance guidance, and even a vetted manufacturer directory to save you time.
Book a consultation if you want one-on-one support, or learn more about SETT to get access to structured training and resources.