Does this ingredient perform as advertised?
Consumers want a product that works with visible effects in an efficient manner. Efficacy backed by science and clinical studies that proves the ingredient’s effectiveness is an important element to consider when choosing the right ingredient for your project’s needs. An effective product not only builds trust between you and your customers but also prompts them to recommend your product within their social circle resulting in increased sales of your product.
What claims can be legally use on my packaging when marketing my nutraceutical supplement?
Nutraceutical ingredients that come with pending or validated health claims allow customers to quickly identify the beneficial effects of your product and the issues that it addresses. Be aware, the use of these health claims is regulated depending on what countries and markets you plan on being present!
Aside from the claims that address the health benefits of your chosen ingredient you should consider ingredients with additional efficacity, geographic or other marketable claims. Efficacity claims rely on control group testing or surveys e.g.; ‘2 / 3 users satisfied with results’, geographical claims concern where your ingredient was made or sourced e.g; ‘Made in Fance’. Keep in mind that all claims must be backed up by data evidencing their veracity.
Will this nutraceutical ingredient bring a new or exciting element to my food supplement?
The science behind nutraceutical ingredients is a constantly evolving field with new and innovative ideas continuously in development. In considering innovative ingredients for your project, you open up the possibilities of meeting your needs in new and exciting ways. Innovative ingredients also serve as a way to set your product apart from those of your competitors, giving it an air of exclusivity in regard to its effects and components.
On the other hand, you may rather choose an ingredient that is well known for the effects that you desire, in certain cultures or traditions, lending your product an extra layer of credibility in the court of public opinion.
Is this nutraceutical ingredient compatible with my chosen galenic form?
Whether you have chosen gummies, capsules, soft tabs, sachets or syrups as your galenic form for your nutritional supplement project, this will have an impact on the ingredient you choose, as you will have to know whether or not it can be adapted to suit your needs. Considerations such as dose size needed for the ingredient to be effective, taste, solubility and grain size, as examples, need to be taken into account when choosing your nutraceutical ingredient so that you are not faced with technical difficulties further down the line.
Is the ingredient authorised under the regulations of my target market?
Regulations can differ from country to country, an important factor to take into account is whether the ingredient in question can be integrated into your product formulation and sold in all the markets in which you plan on being present, without breaking local regulations such as EFSA or FDA regulations.
Does this ingredient come with certifications that I can use in my marketing strategy and packaging?
As consumers are increasingly health conscious, they are selective in the products that they consume. Choosing a nutraceutical ingredient with internationally recognized certifications proves to your customers that you are willing to go that extra mile to ensure that your product is up to international food safety standards. Consumers look out for Non- GMO, Organic, Vegan, Halal and Kosher certifications along with international recognition certificates in regards to food safety standards.
Is this ingredient within my budget when broken down to price per unit or per dose?
When deliberating on an ingredient option and you see the price per kilo, you could be shocked into deciding on a different option, but what you need to consider is the price per dose. When you take into account that oftentimes the dose size is very small, the overall price may be much less shocking.
Will my ingredient still be active for x amount of time after each step of production and having been shipped and displayed in the retailer?
You know that between the time of formulation, manufacturing, packaging, delivery and shelving, your product is going to need a certain duration of shelf stability (guaranteed period of time that your ingredient is active). Take this into account when choosing your nutraceutical ingredient, considering whether or not it will suitable with this subject in mind.