Supplement manufacturers
Supplement contract manufacturers for growing brands
Capsules, tablets, softgels, gummies, powders and liquids. What to require from a supplement co-manufacturer, the questions to ask, and US manufacturers whose own websites back every claim we list.
What to require from supplement contract manufacturers
cGMP under 21 CFR 111
Dietary supplement manufacturers must follow FDA current good manufacturing practice. Ask for their most recent FDA inspection outcome and any third-party GMP audit, such as NSF GMP registration.
Identity testing on every ingredient
The rule requires at least one identity test on each incoming dietary ingredient. Ask what they test in house, what they send out, and whether you get the results with each batch.
A certificate of analysis per lot
Each finished lot should ship with a COA that covers potency, microbials and heavy metals against your label claims. Agree on the specs in writing before the first run.
Batch records you can see
Ask to see a sample master manufacturing record and executed batch record. You will need them for retailer audits, Amazon compliance requests and any complaint investigation.
Stability and expiry dating
Find out how they support the expiry date on your label: real-time or accelerated stability, and who pays for it. The date drives how long your stock can sit.
Clear minimums and lead times
Minimums are often per SKU and per format, and gummies and softgels usually run higher than capsules. Get raw material lead times in writing, since they set your reorder point.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Which formats do you run in house, and which do you send to another facility?
- Is the facility NSF GMP registered, and when was your last FDA inspection?
- What testing do you do on incoming ingredients and finished lots, and do I get the COAs?
- What is your minimum order per SKU for this format, and how is it counted?
- Do I supply any raw materials, and how do you track my materials separately?
- How do you assign lot numbers and expiry dates, and what goes on the label?
- What is the lead time from purchase order to finished goods, including ingredients?
- Who owns the formula if we develop it together?
Supplement contract manufacturers
US manufacturers whose own websites say they make these products for other brands.
We are checking supplement contract manufacturers now
Every listing is checked against the manufacturer’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The guide above is ready today.
Make products for other brands? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between private label and custom formulation?
Private label means you sell a manufacturer’s existing formula under your brand, which is faster and often has lower minimums. Custom formulation means the manufacturer develops a formula to your spec, which takes longer and costs more but gives you a product no one else sells.
Does a supplement manufacturer need to be FDA approved?
The FDA does not approve supplement manufacturers. Facilities register with the FDA and must follow the dietary supplement cGMP rule (21 CFR Part 111). Third-party audits such as NSF GMP registration show that an auditor has checked the facility against those rules.
What minimum order should I expect?
It varies by format and manufacturer. Some private label programs start in the hundreds or low thousands of bottles, while custom gummies and softgels often need much larger runs. We only list a minimum when the manufacturer states it on its own website.
Do I need my own inventory system if my co-man tracks lots?
Your co-man tracks its own floor. You still need to know which lots you received, where they are stored, their expiry dates, and which customers got them, so you can act fast on a complaint or recall.
Make products for other brands?
If you are a US contract manufacturer or co-packer, request a free listing. No paid placement.