Question 1

Do I need to have an existing formula before contacting you?

Accepted Answer

No. You can contact us with a finished formula, an early product concept, or simply an idea of what you want to create. We can develop a custom formula or start with one of our existing base formulas and adapt it to your product.

Question 2

Do I need previous experience in the supplement industry?

Accepted Answer

No. We work with first-time brand owners as well as established supplement companies. Our team can guide you through formulation, flavor development, sampling, packaging, production, and the documentation needed to bring your product to market.

Question 3

Can you sign an NDA before reviewing my product idea?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can sign a confidentiality agreement before reviewing your formula, concept, or other commercially sensitive information.

Question 4

Can you develop a completely custom formula?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can develop a product from the ground up based on your target customer, nutritional goals, serving size, flavor, and price range. As a general policy, we do not develop products using ingredients classified as novel foods.

Question 5

Can I start with one of your existing formulas?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We have base formulas that can be used as a starting point. The ingredients, dosages, flavor, sweetness, acidity, color, serving size, and packaging can then be adapted to fit your product.

Question 6

Can you match or improve an existing product?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can use an existing product as a reference and guarantee an improved flavor profile. We first identify what should be improved, such as flavor intensity, sweetness, acidity, aftertaste, texture, or mouthfeel. The final flavor is approved during the sample process before production begins.

Question 7

How does the sample process work?

Accepted Answer

The development process includes one initial sample followed by up to three revisions when the first commercial order is at least twice the applicable minimum order quantity. For smaller initial orders, product development and sample revisions are billed based on the time required. Additional revisions can be completed until the product is approved.

Question 8

Who owns the finished formula?

Accepted Answer

Labs Nutrition owns formulas developed by us unless another arrangement is agreed to in writing. The customer can purchase exclusive ownership of the final customer-specific formula. This includes the complete final formula, flavor systems, and supplier-specific components used in that product. The transfer applies only to the final customer-specific formula. Labs Nutrition retains ownership of its base formulas, production knowledge, and general formulation expertise.

Question 9

What does Labs Nutrition manufacture in-house?

Accepted Answer

We manufacture powder supplements and ready-to-drink premixes at our facility in Åkersberga, Sweden. For ready-to-drink products, we manufacture the complete powder premix and send it to one of our partner breweries for mixing, filling, and canning. Capsule products are developed and managed by Labs Nutrition. Capsule filling, bottling, and labeling are carried out by our Swedish production partner, which holds EKO and IP certification. We do not currently offer tablet manufacturing.

Question 10

What is your minimum order quantity?

Accepted Answer

Our minimum order quantities are based mainly on the capacity of our production equipment. The standard minimum is approximately: 240 kg for protein powders 120 kg for most other powder products 120 kg of premix for ready-to-drink products 120 kg of total capsule filling material for capsule products The final number of units depends on the formula, dosage, capsule size, fill weight, and packaging format. For ready-to-drink products, around 120 kg of premix will normally produce approximately 12,000 drinks, depending on the formula and serving size.

Question 11

Can you produce a smaller commercial trial batch?

Accepted Answer

Commercial production starts at the applicable minimum order quantity. Smaller samples can be produced during development, but these are intended for product evaluation and are not commercial production batches.

Question 12

Can you work with branded or customer-supplied ingredients?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can work with branded ingredients and raw materials supplied by the customer. All ingredients must meet our requirements for quality, traceability, documentation, and food safety before they can be approved for production.

Question 13

Can you develop vegan or free-from products?

Accepted Answer

We can develop vegan formulas and products without dairy ingredients, gluten-containing ingredients, artificial sweeteners, or artificial colors. Several allergens are handled in the facility, so the suitability of a formal free-from claim is assessed for each product. Laboratory testing may be needed depending on the claim and the market where the product will be sold.

Question 14

Who orders the packaging?

Accepted Answer

Labs Nutrition normally purchases the jars used in production. Pouches and labels are normally ordered by the customer through Q-pack or another approved supplier, in coordination with Labs Nutrition.

Question 15

Can we supply our own packaging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customer-supplied packaging can be used if it is compatible with our equipment and meets the required quality and food-contact standards. Packaging specifications and samples must be approved before production begins.

Question 16

Can you help us choose the correct pouch or jar size?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can recommend a suitable packaging size based on the product density, fill weight, serving size, and number of servings.

Question 17

Can you print batch numbers and best-before dates on the packaging?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Finished consumer packaging is marked with the relevant batch number and best-before information during production.

Question 18

How long does product development take?

Accepted Answer

Product development normally takes around one to two weeks for the initial sample and up to three revisions. The timing depends on ingredient availability and how quickly feedback is provided.

Question 19

How long does production take after the product has been approved?

Accepted Answer

The normal production lead time is four to eight weeks after the formula, sample, product specification, and packaging have been approved.

Question 20

Are repeat orders faster?

Accepted Answer

Repeat orders do not normally need a new development process, which makes the process simpler. The production lead time still depends on capacity, raw material availability, and packaging availability.

Question 21

What can delay an order?

Accepted Answer

Delays can be caused by longer supplier lead times, unavailable ingredients, delayed packaging, additional sample revisions, laboratory testing, or late customer approval. We communicate any expected changes to the timeline as early as possible.

Question 22

What are your payment terms?

Accepted Answer

Initial orders are prepaid. Other payment terms may be discussed once an established customer relationship has been built.

Question 23

How are raw materials approved before use?

Accepted Answer

Every incoming raw material goes through a documented approval and receiving process. We review the raw material specification, supplier documentation, and Certificate of Analysis before the material is approved for production. Additional laboratory testing can be arranged when needed for the product or requested by the customer.

Question 24

What quality controls are carried out during production?

Accepted Answer

Every production batch goes through documented in-process checks and a sensory evaluation. This includes checks of taste, color, appearance, texture, and overall consistency. The raw material batches used in production are also recorded for traceability.

Question 25

Can a Certificate of Analysis be provided with the finished batch?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A batch-specific Certificate of Analysis can be provided for the batches we produce. The testing parameters depend on the product and the agreed customer requirements. Additional external laboratory testing can also be arranged.

Question 26

How do you manage allergens?

Accepted Answer

Allergen control is a central part of our food safety system. We follow strict HACCP-based procedures for production planning, separation, cleaning, and verification. Products are scheduled according to their allergen profiles, and equipment and production areas are cleaned using documented routines designed for the allergens that have been handled. Cleaning is checked and recorded before the next production run begins. When needed, we also carry out additional verification, including allergen testing, to confirm that the cleaning process has been effective. Because several allergens are handled in the facility, each free-from claim is assessed separately based on the formula, raw material documentation, production conditions, and any required laboratory results.

Question 27

Do you manufacture products containing prohibited or doping-classified substances?

Accepted Answer

No. We do not intentionally formulate products with, or handle, prohibited or doping-classified substances. This does not mean that every finished batch is automatically certified as doping-free. Testing for prohibited substances can be arranged when needed, particularly for products intended for tested athletes.

Question 28

Can customers visit or audit the production facility?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Customers are welcome to visit or audit the facility. Visits must be booked in advance so we can protect hygiene, safety, and confidential customer information.

Question 29

Can you review our label?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can assist with ingredient declarations, allergen information, nutritional information, serving instructions, mandatory warnings, and permitted nutrition and health claims. Label and regulatory reviews are billed based on the time required.

Question 30

Who is responsible for the finished product and its label?

Accepted Answer

The brand owner, meaning the company under whose name the product is marketed, gives final approval to the label and is responsible for the product information, claims, and marketing used in the countries where the product is sold. Labs Nutrition is responsible for the parts of the process under our control as the manufacturer. This includes raw material approval, production according to the agreed specification, hygiene, food safety, allergen management, traceability, batch documentation, and the accuracy of the manufacturing information we provide.

Question 31

Which documents are provided with an order?

Accepted Answer

Standard documentation includes the agreed finished-product specification, packing list, and batch identification. We can also assist with Certificates of Analysis, ingredient declarations, nutritional calculations, raw material documentation, retailer questionnaires, distributor documents, and other product-specific requests. Additional documentation work may be billed separately.

Question 32

Can you help with export documentation?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can assist with product documents, raw material documents, certificates, questionnaires, and other available documentation needed for export. The customer or importer is responsible for confirming the import, customs, registration, and market-specific requirements in the destination country. Labs Nutrition can support the process, with additional regulatory and documentation work billed separately.

Question 33

Can you arrange international freight?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We can help coordinate international freight through our logistics partners. The available options and cost depend on the destination, order size, delivery terms, and any customs requirements.

Question 34

Who is responsible for customs duties and import requirements?

Accepted Answer

The customer or importer is responsible for customs duties, import registrations, and confirming that the product meets the rules of the destination country. Labs Nutrition can provide the available manufacturing and product documentation and help with the practical process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

Product Development

Manufacturing

Packaging

Lead Times and Payment

Quality and Food Safety

Labels and Documentation

International Deliveries