Creating a custom sports supplement can be a transformative process for both a brand and its target customers. From selecting key ingredients to finalizing packaging, a supplement manufacturer plays an essential role in helping clients develop high-quality, effective products. At JW Nutritional we understand how important this process is to your products success. Here’s what to expect throughout the process, including important steps and guidelines to ensure a successful custom formulation.
Step 1: Consultation and Goal Setting
The first step in developing a custom sports supplement is a detailed consultation. This a step that you may want to explore before coming to us or any manufacturer. During this stage, manufacturers work with clients to understand their goals, target market, and specific needs. Questions about the desired outcomes—whether it’s boosting endurance, enhancing muscle growth, or improving recovery—will help determine the direction of the formula.
Key considerations include:
What are the primary benefits you want to offer?
Are there specific ingredients or trends you want to incorporate, such as amino acids, electrolytes, or adaptogens?
Is there a target audience, like endurance athletes, bodybuilders, or general fitness enthusiasts?
This stage lays the groundwork for creating a formula that aligns with both market demand and brand identity.
Step 2: Ingredient Selection and Formulation
Once the goals are established, the next phase involves ingredient selection. As a manufacturer, we ensure that every ingredient chosen is tested for potency and purity, serves a specific purpose, and contributes to the overall effectiveness of the supplement.
During this stage, we work closely with clients to ensure the right dosage and combination of ingredients for their intended outcomes.
Step 3: Regulatory Compliance and Testing
Formulating a supplement involves navigating regulatory guidelines to ensure the product is compliant with industry standards. We help clients adhere to the relevant laws, including FDA guidelines in the U.S. or other international regulations. We also ensure the formula is free from banned substances, especially important for professional athletes.
Testing for purity, potency, and safety is conducted to guarantee that the product meets quality standards and is exactly what it says it is! This process includes testing the final product blend. We will again revisit this step during the product packaging step.
Step 4: Flavoring and Sensory Evaluation
Sports supplements, particularly powders and drinks, need to taste good to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business. This is a very important step that JW Nutrition takes pride in. We will work with our in-house flavoring experts, as well as the client, to develop palatable product options. Test samples are often sent to clients to evaluate different flavors before finalizing their choice(s).
Step 5: Packaging and Label Design
The packaging is the customer’s first impression of the product, so it’s crucial to create a design that’s both visually appealing and informative. JW Nutritional can assist with reviewing labels so that they clearly list ingredients, dosages, usage instructions, and any certifications (such as gluten-free, non-GMO, or NSF-certified for sport). Product labeling will need to be reviewed for compliance with the FDA.
Step 6: Production and Scaling
Once the formulation, flavoring, and packaging are finalized, the product moves into production. Clients can choose batch sizes that meet their budget and initial demand. After production, the client receives a final review of the product. Once approved, the product is ready for distribution and sale. We can provide guidance on distribution channels or fulfillment direct-to-consumer models to help launch the product effectively.
Creating a custom sports supplement involves a multi-step process that requires collaboration between the manufacturer and the client. From initial consultation and formulation to testing and packaging, each phase is crucial to developing a product that meets customer expectations and maintains regulatory compliance. With our guidance, brands can create sports supplements that are both effective and market-ready.
Ready to get started on your custom formulation or custom product? Click the link below to find out what is possible!
Why JW Nutritional for Supplement Manufacturing?
JW Nutritional can manufacture a wide variety of supplements to suit the needs of your customers. With the inclusion of our complete packaging solutions including bottles with lid closures, sachets, stick packs and zip-seal bags, clients can receive a complete product that is ready for order fulfillment. If you are interested in the vitamin manufacturing services we offer, please contact us today!
Sources:
FDA – Dietary Supplement Regulations
https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements
