Do you need to hire a supplement formulator?
Have a great core idea for a supplement but don’t know how to finish it off? Do you know of a market who could benefit from taking supplements, but you haven’t yet developed a suitable formula? Supplement formulators can be really helpful in these situations. In this blog, we have explained what a supplement formulator is and what to consider when working with one.
Can you make your own formula?
You may have qualifications that allow you to confidently design an effective and safe formula for your supplement, in which case this will be your cheapest option. Remember to keep your goals for the supplement in mind throughout the process. Keep reassessing what you have put together against your goals to ensure that you stay on track.
Alternatively, there may be someone in your company or friend group who is able to formulate a supplement for you. As with formulating yourself, it is vital to keep the goals of the supplement in focus. Explain them clearly and carefully to whoever will be formulating.
If neither of the above options are available to you, then it is recommended that you seek out a professional supplement formulator to help you out.
Want to sell your own supplements?
What is a formulator, and what do they do?
A supplement formulator is a qualified nutritionist who puts together ingredient lists for supplements to achieve a desired effect. Sometimes part of a larger business, sometimes self-employed, prices can vary greatly based on services offered.
A professional formulator will know which ingredients you can use to achieve the effects that you want from the supplement. They will be able to advise on dosage amounts, as well as making sure the formula can be suitably provided in your chosen delivery format.
A good formulator will have knowledge of the current market and which ingredients are difficult to source or expensive. Ask lots of questions about the ingredients that are chosen and be clear about any parameters you want to meet. For example, if you want to create a product for vegans, you shouldn’t use ingredients that come from animal sources.
For a formulator endorsed by G&G Vitamins, please visit Wellbeing UK | Shona Wilkinson Nutrition Limited.
How does hiring a formulator usually work?
Usually, you will reach out to the formulator and arrange a consultation in which they will try to find out about you and your product so that they can assess the best way to help you. If you have particular ingredients, intended effects or target customers in mind, make them clear at this stage to expedite the process.
Once they have provided you with the formula, you may still need to keep in contact with them as problems could arise at the manufacturing stage. While formulators put together effective supplements, they don’t all possess knowledge of the materials from the perspective of the factory. They may not consider how well ingredients run through the machines, or if certain combinations of ingredients can cause the powder to clump or go sticky.
Your manufacturer should take responsibility for this, as they are the experts in handling the ingredients in the factory. If they advise you that something in your formula is problematic, then you should see if they have any recommendations for solving the issue and take those recommendations back to your formulator to ensure that the efficacy of the supplement would not be affected too much.
Considerations
The first thing to consider is whether you or someone at your company has the knowledge to formulate a supplement reliably and up to the required standards. If the answer to this is no, then you should seriously consider hiring a professional to make sure that your product is both safe and effective. You also need to consider the cost, both in time and money, of using a formulator as these will vary for each individual.
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