How to Find (and Vet) a Supplement Manufacturer: A Practical Guide for Small Brands
Summary (Key takeaways)
There’s no one “best” manufacturer—fit depends on your product, claims, form factor, MOQs, testing needs, budget, and timeline.
Label-first, compliance-first beats “samples-first”: draft your label/content now, vet it for FDA/FTC compliance, then brief co-mans with clarity.
Build a longlist → shortlist: compare dosage-form capabilities, MOQs, lead times, certifications, location, and transparency.
When you engage, ask for documents up front: certifications, terms & conditions, a sample finished-product specification and sample COA (redacted is fine).
Tour the facility (in person or virtual). Even as a small brand, you can—and should—assess basic GMP hygiene and process control.
Remember: FDA expects you (the brand owner) to qualify suppliers. Keep notes; this is part of your compliance record.
Why “the best manufacturer” is the wrong question
For early-stage brands, the relationship is mostly transactional (a few small POs as you test the market). A co-man that’s perfect for a capsule line with simple claims may be a poor fit for someone needing complex powder flavor systems, allergen control, or extensive third-party testing. Start with fit, not reputation alone.
Step 1 — Go label-first (so you can brief co-mans with precision)
Before you email a single manufacturer:
Draft your label content (it can be a simple doc): Supplement Facts, serving size, full ingredient list, allergens, “free-from” claims, structure/function claims, certifications you intend (e.g., NSF, Non-GMO Project), company contact details, net quantity, and any ecommerce PDP copy that mirrors claims.
Vet for compliance (FDA/FTC/Amazon/retailer guardrails). This may force formula, dose, or claimadjustments—far cheaper to do now than after deposits and POs.
Confirm your regulatory category (dietary supplement vs. food/functional beverage, etc.). That decision drives GMP expectations, testing, and which co-mans qualify.
Result: a clear, realistic brief manufacturers can quote against—no guesswork.
Step 2 — Build your longlist
Cast a wide net, then triage:
Dosage forms: capsules/tablets/powders/liquids/gummies; in-house vs networked.
MOQs & lead times: realistic for a new brand?
Testing posture: routine micro, heavy metals, pesticides; skip-lot vs every lot; third-party lab accreditations.
Certifications: 21 CFR 111 (dietary supplement GMP), GFSI schemes (for foods), organic, halal, kosher, NSF/GRMA as relevant.
Capabilities: flavoring, sweetener systems, allergen control, segregation, label-application, kitting, 3PL.
Location: proximity matters for visits, freight, and problem-solving.
Step 3 — Shortlist and request proof, not promises
From each finalist, ask for:
Certifications (current): facility registrations and relevant third-party audits.
Terms & Conditions: payment, change-control, label process, stability policy, indemnities, charge-backs, storage fees. (You’re not lawyering; you’re scanning for red flags.)
Sample documents (redacted is fine):
Finished-Product Specification (identity, purity, strength, composition, plus micro/chemical contaminants and any “free-from” claims).
Sample Certificate of Analysis (COA) showing methods and lab accreditation.
Tip: If they refuse even a redacted spec/COA “on principle,” assume transparency will be an ongoing struggle.
Step 4 — Evaluate what you got
Spec quality: Does it test beyond label claim—micro, heavy metals, pesticides, residual solvents (where relevant), and any claim prerequisites (e.g., gluten-free thresholds)?
COA quality: Is the lab credible? Are methods listed (e.g., HPLC/ICP-MS, appropriate micro methods)? Any vague “visual exam only” calls for actives?
T&Cs sanity check: Watch for “invoice due when unlabeled bulk is finished,” punitive storage fees, one-sided indemnities, or label change inflexibility. Note risks to negotiate or manage.
Step 5 — Tour the line (virtual if needed)
Even small brands can request a walkthrough. Observe:
GMP basics: gowning, handwashing, segregation, pest control, cleanliness under/behind equipment.
Allergen & cross-contact controls: staging, color-coding, cleaning validation.
Material flow: receiving → quarantine → approval → production → finished-goods hold/release.
Documentation culture: real-time entries vs backfilling, clear batch records, retention sample storage.
Capture notes; this supports your supplier qualification file.
Step 6 — Start small, protect yourself
Pilot lot with explicit testing bundle in the PO (what, who pays, turnaround).
Define acceptance criteria tied to the spec and COA.
Align on label proofing/sign-off and what triggers rework fees.
Keep retention samples and complaint/recall procedures on your side—FDA expects it.
Common pitfalls to avoid
Sampling without a compliance-vetted label → late-stage claim/ingredient rework.
Letting the co-man choose skip-lot testing that doesn’t fit your claims/retailer goals.
Assuming “GMP certified” means retailer-ready. Many retailers (and Amazon) demand additional proof.
Chasing “perfect” on day one. Pick a good-enough fit, learn fast, and upgrade as you scale.
Next steps (how I can help)
Signature 1-on-1 Consultations — A focused strategy session to align your product concept, claims, and label with regulatory reality, map your manufacturer search, and review what to request and how to evaluate it.
SSET: Supplement Startup Essentials Training — Founder-friendly training on which regulatory requirements apply, how to complete a market brief, and how to find and vet co-manufacturers and labs—so you can move from idea to execution with confidence.
Consulting clients can also get access to our curated manufacturer list.