Resources / FAQ

Expert Answers for Every Stage of the Manufacturing Process

Whether you’re launching your first supplement, bringing a custom formula to production, or scaling an established product line, our FAQ provides clear answers to the questions brands ask most. Explore custom formula support, manufacturing capabilities, production minimums, timelines, quality systems, testing, packaging, labeling requirements, and regulatory considerations—so you can make informed decisions and move forward with confidence.

Getting Started Formulas & Confidentiality Orders, Lead Times & Shipping Quality & Compliance Labeling Rules

Getting Started

What does QSM specialize in?

Quality Supplement Manufacturing specializes in custom human dietary supplement manufacturing, with core capabilities that include capsules, custom powder blending, bottling, and retail-ready pouch packaging.

Do you manufacture pet or animal supplements?

No. We manufacture exclusively human dietary supplements. Pet and animal products are not part of our standard manufacturing programs, and any project involving animals would require human-grade ingredients, processes, and a separate technical and regulatory review.

Do you manufacture tablets?

Our primary manufacturing capabilities include capsules and powders. Select tablet projects may be evaluated on a case-by-case basis according to formula, volume, tooling, and production requirements. Contact our team to discuss your product.

Do you manufacture powder products?

Yes. We manufacture custom powder blends in jars, pouches, and qualifying bulk formats. Flavor development and refinement are coordinated through trusted flavor-house partners, with ownership and transferability of the final customer-specific flavor profile governed by the applicable project, supplier, and formulation agreements.

Do you offer packaging services?

Yes. QSM provides coordinated manufacturing and packaging for human dietary supplements, including bottles, jars, closures, labels, shrink bands, lot coding, and pouch packaging for capsule and powder products.

Do you offer pouch packaging?

Yes. We offer free-standing 60- and 90-count capsule pouches, as well as larger pouches for powder supplements. Our capsule-fill and powder-fill pouch lines can produce approximately 25,000 units per week per line, depending on product and packaging requirements.

Do you sell ready-made supplements off the shelf?

No. QSM manufactures products to order rather than selling finished supplements directly from inventory. For ready-to-brand custom supplements, our sister company Vox Nutrition offers more than 100 professionally developed formulas. QSM focuses primarily on customer-owned custom formulas and contract manufacturing.

Do you offer custom-branded supplements?

Custom-branded supplements are offered through our sister company Vox Nutrition rather than directly through QSM. Vox Nutrition provides more than 100 professionally developed formulas across popular wellness categories. Many brands launch with a custom-branded product, then transition into custom supplement manufacturing with QSM as their business and product portfolio grow.

What are your minimum order quantities?

Current standard minimums are 300,000 capsules and 500 kg of powder. Production requirements are reviewed periodically and may vary according to formula, serving size, ingredient availability, packaging configuration, and manufacturing needs. Bottle-count minimums are determined as part of the project quote.

Do you provide samples?

QSM does not generally produce finished custom-formula samples before the commercial production run. Finished-product samples become available after production. For flavored powder products, structured flavor-sampling rounds may be available during development through our flavor-house partners.

Can I visit the facility?

Facility visits may be arranged by appointment through your QSM manufacturing specialist.

Custom Formulation & Confidentiality

Do you do custom formulation or in-house R&D?

QSM supports custom formula development through a trusted network of third-party formulation partners rather than operating as a full-service in-house research and development laboratory. Bring your ingredient list and target serving sizes, and our technical team will review the formula for manufacturing feasibility, ingredient flow, equipment compatibility, and capsule or powder stability. QSM does not independently design ingredient profiles from proposed health claims, determine clinical dosages, or perform clinical research. Customers retain ownership of their final approved formula, subject to applicable project, supplier, flavor-house, and formulation agreements.

Can I bring my own formula or a competitor’s Supplement Facts panel?

Yes. You may provide your existing formula, ingredient list, target serving sizes, or an existing Supplement Facts panel as a reference point. Our technical team will evaluate the concept for manufacturing feasibility, and trusted third-party formulation support is available when additional development or refinement is required. Any final product should be developed as a distinct formula aligned with your own brand, specifications, and market strategy.

How is my formula kept confidential?

Proprietary formula information is protected through established confidentiality procedures. A non-disclosure agreement can be completed before you share confidential formulas, specifications, or other protected product information.

Can QSM certify my raw materials as organic?

QSM does not certify the agricultural origin of raw materials. Organic status must be supported by documentation from appropriately certified suppliers so the ingredient and agricultural supply chain can be traced. QSM reviews applicable supplier documentation when sourcing materials for qualifying organic products.

Production Minimums, Lead Times & Shipping

What is the typical lead time?

Lead times vary according to ingredient availability, formula complexity, testing requirements, packaging components, production scheduling, and the manufacturing processes required for the product. Your estimated timeline will be provided and updated as part of the project-planning process.

What documentation comes with my order?

Available documentation may include an order confirmation, estimated production or delivery timing, approved product specifications, Supplement Facts information for labeling, batch records, testing results, and a finished-product Certificate of Analysis. The exact documentation package depends on the product, specifications, testing plan, and project requirements.

Can you accommodate Amazon orders?

Yes. QSM can provide available manufacturing and product documentation intended to support Amazon marketplace requirements. Packaging and order fulfillment can also be coordinated through our shipping partner and sister company Ship Central. Marketplace requirements can change, so customers remain responsible for confirming current Amazon documentation and listing requirements.

Do you handle fulfillment and shipping?

Fulfillment can be coordinated through our shipping partner and sister company Ship Central for ecommerce, wholesale, retail, Amazon, and direct-to-consumer distribution. Shipping and fulfillment scope, pricing, and billing arrangements are confirmed as part of the individual project.

Do you design product labels?

QSM does not currently provide in-house label design. We can refer you to an experienced contractor familiar with dietary supplement labels and packaging.

Can you print my product labels?

Yes. QSM can coordinate or provide label printing and application for qualifying projects, with specifications and pricing included in your quote.

Do you arrange international shipping?

QSM does not directly arrange international shipping. We can work with your selected freight forwarder or customs broker to prepare the finished order for pickup and provide available shipment documentation. Customers are responsible for confirming destination-country import, registration, documentation, and labeling requirements before placing an order.

Quality Assurance & Regulatory Compliance

How does QSM ensure product quality?

QSM operates under documented quality systems designed to support consistent production, traceability, product safety, and compliance with applicable dietary supplement manufacturing requirements. Quality procedures may include supplier qualification, raw-material identity verification, in-process controls, batch review, finished-product testing, and Certificates of Analysis based on the approved specifications and project requirements.

What certifications does QSM hold?

QSM operates an FDA-registered facility and follows Current Good Manufacturing Practices applicable to dietary supplements under 21 CFR Part 111. QSM also maintains NSF GMP and ECOCERT organic certifications within the scope of its current audited operations. Certification names, status, and scope should be confirmed against current facility records.

What regulations does QSM follow?

QSM follows applicable Current Good Manufacturing Practices for dietary supplements under FDA Title 21 CFR Part 111. Qualifying organic manufacturing is also conducted in accordance with applicable organic certification requirements and USDA organic regulations under 7 CFR Part 205.

How are ingredients verified?

QSM’s Purchasing and Quality teams review supplier documentation, including Certificates of Analysis and other applicable records, and confirm that suppliers and materials meet established qualification, specification, and dietary supplement manufacturing requirements.

Can I supply my own raw materials?

Customer- or supplier-provided materials must come from a source approved through QSM’s established supplier-qualification procedures. Materials are subject to documentation review, identity verification, specifications, and acceptance by the QSM Quality team before they can be used in production.

Is finished product tested by a third party?

Raw-material and finished-product testing may be performed through qualified third-party laboratories according to the approved specification and testing plan. Turnaround times vary according to the laboratory, test method, sample type, and current workload. Applicable testing costs are generally included in or identified through the customer quote.

How are microbial testing limits determined?

Microbial specifications are established according to the product type, ingredient profile, applicable regulations, recognized industry standards, customer requirements, and guidance from organizations such as NSF and the American Herbal Products Association.

Do products receive an expiration date?

Dietary supplements generally receive a best-by date unless sufficient product-specific stability data supports an expiration date. The assigned dating approach depends on the available stability information, product characteristics, packaging, and applicable quality procedures.

Supplement Labeling Requirements

What is a dietary supplement?

Under federal law, a dietary supplement is generally a product intended to supplement the diet that contains one or more dietary ingredients, such as vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, dietary substances, concentrates, metabolites, constituents, extracts, or combinations of these ingredients. Dietary supplements are intended for human consumption and must be labeled as dietary supplements. (21 U.S.C. 321)

How does QSM handle labeling compliance?

QSM provides labeling information and coordination intended to support applicable FDA dietary supplement labeling requirements. Customers and brand owners remain responsible for reviewing and approving final labels, product claims, marketing language, and marketplace-specific requirements before publication or sale.

What must appear on a supplement label?

Required label elements generally include a statement of identity, net quantity of contents, Supplement Facts panel, ingredient list, and the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Additional statements, warnings, allergen information, directions, or disclosures may be required depending on the product. (21 CFR 101.3(a), 101.105(a), 101.36, 101.4(a)(1), and 101.5)

What must the Supplement Facts panel include?

The Supplement Facts panel generally identifies the serving size, servings per container, dietary ingredients, amounts per serving, and applicable Percent Daily Value information. Additional formatting and declaration requirements depend on the formula and ingredient types. (21 CFR 101.36(b))

What format rules apply to the Supplement Facts panel?

Supplement Facts panels must follow applicable FDA formatting rules for type, contrast, layout, headings, lines, spacing, and minimum type size. Certain small or intermediate package formats may qualify for alternative presentations. Final label formatting should be reviewed against the current requirements of 21 CFR 101.36(e).