Training on Supplement Requirements for Brands & Teams

Compliance in the supplement and functional food industry isn’t just the responsibility of the founder or “QA”. Your entire team — from marketing and product development to operations and quality — needs to understand the rules that shape what you can (and can’t) do. When employees know the basics of FDA, FTC, CFIA, and Health Canada requirements, they make fewer mistakes, avoid costly missteps, and keep the brand moving forward smoothly.

At Blue Ocean Regulatory, we offer customized training on supplement requirements delivered either on-site or virtually. Each session is tailored to your brand’s needs, includes real-world examples, and ends with a live Q&A so your team leaves with clarity — not confusion.

Why Supplement Training Matters

Most supplement brands don’t fail because of bad products. They fail because of compliance missteps:

  • Marketing makes claims that cross into disease territory.

  • R&D doesn’t formulate for defined terms like “Healthy” or “Meal Replacement” or “Probiotic”

  • Operations uses a manufacturer without proper cGMP controls and certifications.

  • Product development chooses an ingredient banned by Amazon or Whole Foods.

  • Teams assume Canadian NHP rules are the same as U.S. supplement rules — and get rejected.

These errors aren’t caused by bad intentions. They happen because team members simply don’t know the regulations or how they apply day-to-day. A few hours of targeted training can prevent mistakes that cost thousands of dollars and months of delays.

Who Needs This Training?

Our training is designed for:

  • Founders & Executives – to understand their regulatory responsibilities and risk exposure.

  • Marketing Teams – to learn how to write compliant copy for labels, websites, ads, and social media.

  • Product Development & R&D – to understand ingredient restrictions, claim substantiation, and formulation compliance.

  • Operations & Supply Chain – to grasp FDA cGMP basics, FSVP obligations, and retailer documentation requirements.

  • Quality Teams – to align with 21 CFR 111 (supplements), 21 CFR 117 (foods), and Canadian NHP GMPs and requirements.

Whether your team is just starting out or already has products on the market, the training ensures everyone has the same baseline knowledge and language around compliance.

What Our Training Covers

Each training is customized, but common modules include:

1. Regulatory Basics (U.S. & Canada)

  • How dietary supplements are regulated under DSHEA.

  • Key FDA requirements: labeling, structure/function notifications, cGMP.

  • FTC standards for advertising and substantiation.

  • Health Canada’s Natural Health Products (NHP) framework: NPNs, labeling, bilingual requirements.

  • NHP and Food labeling rules, including Nutrition Facts, Supplement Facts, and permitted claims.

2. Labeling & Marketing Compliance

  • How to correctly use Supplement Facts vs. Nutrition Facts.

  • Structure/function vs. disease claims (and examples of risky phrasing).

  • Required disclaimers (FDA, Health Canada, and retailer-specific).

  • Social media & influencer marketing rules.

  • Amazon & retailer-specific claim restrictions.

3. Manufacturing & Quality Requirements

  • 21 CFR 111 dietary supplement GMPs explained in plain language.

  • 21 CFR 117 for conventional foods.

  • Health Canada GMP requirements for NHPs.

  • Manufacturer vetting and qualification basics.

  • Import compliance (FSVP).

4. Claims Substantiation

  • What “competent and reliable scientific evidence” really means.

  • How to use clinical studies, NNHPD monographs, and authoritative references.

  • Practical examples of substantiated vs. unsubstantiated claims.

5. Live Q&A

  • Open session for your team to ask brand-specific questions.

  • Clarification of gray areas (e.g., when a food crosses into supplement territory).

  • Guidance on next steps for your business.

Delivery Options

We know every brand works differently, which is why we offer flexible formats:

  • On-Site Training – Ideal for larger teams or when launching a new product line. (eg. We come to your facility for a 1-3 day session.)

  • Virtual Training – Delivered live via Zoom or Teams. Great for distributed teams or international brands.

  • Recorded Sessions – Option to record for internal onboarding or future staff training.

  • Supplementary Materials – Handouts, compliance checklists, and sample SOP templates provided.

Common Outcomes After Training

  • Marketing teams catch risky claims before they go live.

  • Operations teams choose manufacturers more carefully.

  • Executives feel confident discussing compliance with investors and retailers.

  • Teams adopt consistent terminology around regulations.

  • Brands reduce costly relabeling and reformulation mistakes.

  • Build a culture of quality within the organization.

Why Brands Trust Blue Ocean Regulatory

We don’t teach compliance from a textbook. We train from experience. Our team has worked with startups, Amazon sellers, and established supplement brands facing real-world compliance challenges.

We’ve been featured in NutraIngredients USA, invited to guest speak at Council for Responsible Nutrition events, and interviewed on The Nutracast Podcast — bringing industry insights directly to your team.

Most importantly, we translate dense regulations into plain language your team can actually use. No jargon, no endless slides, just clear training with real-world application.

Next Steps

If your team hasn’t been trained on supplement compliance — or if new hires have joined since your last session — now is the time. Regulations evolve, platforms tighten their requirements, and staying ahead of these changes protects your brand.

Schedule a Training on Supplement Requirements session with Blue Ocean Regulatory. Whether on-site or virtual, we’ll equip your team with the knowledge, confidence, and tools to launch and grow your brand the right way.