Browsing the vitamin aisle at your local drugstore or shopping for supplements online can be overwhelming. Many think dietary supplements are subject to strict review and approval before hitting the market.
Choosing a supplement company with third-party products verified by NSF International or USP is essential. This ensures that the products meet identity, strength, and purity standards.
Quality control and assurance are vital for the vitamin industry. Consumers rely on vitamins for nutrition and health.
A quality assurance (QA) team prevents product defects through a process-oriented approach. It also monitors development and test processes to make improvements. QA managers work with feedback from QC teams to implement strategies that stop the defect before it happens.
Raw Materials
The raw materials used in vitamin manufacturing have a direct impact on the quality of the final product. Whether organic, non-organic, or synthetic, the raw material must be free of contamination and have the proper purity to produce a good result.
A well-established raw material control strategy should include:
- Evaluating the reputation of suppliers.
- Assessing the supply chain capabilities.
- Conducting supplier audits.
These strategies can help manufacturers avoid using inferior ingredients and reduce production costs.
Once the raw materials arrive, they are weighed to verify that they meet the required weight. Then, they are mixed and inspected to ensure that each ingredient is evenly dispersed throughout the batch. The resulting mixture is then put into a bottle, capped, labeled, and shrink-wrapped. The whole process occurs within a clean room with strict cleaning and sterilization processes to keep it safe from contaminants. Packaging involves many machines, so a sanitary working environment is essential.
Packaging
A well-executed packaging plan is essential to ensure that the vitamins and supplements you produce meet the quality standards set by your customers and applicable regulations. This includes proper storage delivery and packaging that protects the potency of the products and meets all dietary supplement safety requirements.
A vitamin manufacturer must also prioritize sustainability and environmental compliance in their packaging. This can help you appeal to eco-conscious consumers and differentiate your brand from competitors who may need to prioritize these values.
Vitamins and supplements aren’t going anywhere. Their popularity increases as more people become concerned with their health and wellness. This booming industry requires an effective quality management system to meet customer expectations and regulatory standards. Expert contract packaging companies have the experience to help you develop a custom vitamin packaging solution that keeps your products safe, effective, and compliant. They can also create eye-catching and informative labels to increase your product’s visibility in retail and online marketplaces.
Achieving Quality Assurance
When producing dietary supplements, the quality control procedure is essential. This entails testing for contaminants, keeping track of formula measurements, and ensuring the production process is consistently followed. Even the most minor mistakes can have catastrophic consequences.
The best contract vitamin manufacturers have a strict quality assurance protocol in place. They ensure that all raw materials are tested and approved for use in their products and adhere to FDA regulations for labeling and packaging.
Manufacturers that comply with these guidelines can obtain a USP Verification Mark for their products. This indicates that the supplement meets label claims, has been manufactured under sanitary conditions, and is safe to consume. Moreover, they will store raw materials records, Certificates of Analysis, and vendor identification for each batch of material for future reference.
Third-Party Testing
Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), supplements aren’t required to be tested for safety or efficacy before being sold to consumers. This opens the door to counterfeit, substandard, and potentially harmful products. When shopping for supplements, look for those that have third-party testing certifications such as USP and NSF. Reputable vitamin manufacturers will also share the results of their internal testing if requested by consumers.
Third-party testing of dietary supplements involves an independent organization that evaluates and vouches for the quality of a supplement. It is essential to verify that the potency and accuracy of ingredient claims match what is actually in the finished product. This includes testing for things like heavy metals, mold, and bacteria. It should also include testing for the effectiveness of a supplement and its therapeutic benefits.
Organic Ingredients
If you’re looking for a vitamin or supplement to improve your health, consider finding a company specializing in organic products. This will ensure that you’re not ingesting artificial additives or binders that aren’t necessary. Ideally, it would help to opt for encapsulated supplements over tablets since they contain fewer fillers and binders.
While you can find some vitamins and minerals in food, many more aren’t naturally occurring or are only available in a concentrated form in supplements. Look for companies that only use organic ingredients and obtain “certificates of analysis” from their suppliers to verify that each element is what it says it is and doesn’t contain any contaminants. Also, look for manufacturers that offer organic forms of essential nutrients like methyl B-12 instead of the cheaper cyanocobalamin.