Cod Liver Oil Softgel Manufacturer for Private Label Brands

Cod liver oil is filled on rotary die encapsulation lines, not on two-piece capsule equipment. The oil is held in temperature-controlled tanks between 18°C and 22°C, then metered into the gelatin ribbon as it forms. Fill weight is checked every 30 minutes across a 24-hour run. Our lines hold ±3% on a 1,000 mg target, which matters when your label states a vitamin A and D contribution per softgel.

Typical batch sizes run from 50,000 to 500,000 softgels. Drying takes 48 to 72 hours in a controlled tunnel, after which softgels are polished, sorted and inspected. Rejects are removed by weight and by visual check. If you are also sourcing other softgel formats, our /softgel-manufacturer page covers the wider range of fill types and capsule shapes available on the same lines.

Cod liver oil arrives with a certificate of analysis stating vitamin A, vitamin D, EPA, DHA, peroxide value and acid value. We retest every lot in-house before release to production. If the natural vitamin A or D level is below your label claim, we adjust with a declared vitamin premix and record the addition on the batch record. No undeclared overage.

Common formulations include plain cod liver oil, lemon or mint flavoured fills, and blends with vitamin E as an antioxidant. Enteric softgels are available for buyers targeting reduced fishy aftertaste. Gelatin is bovine or fish-derived; vegetarian options use modified starch and carrageenan. We can match a competitor's fill weight and vitamin profile from a sample, or work from your finished-product specification.

The plant is GMP-certified and holds ISO 22000 and HACCP. Halal certification covers the gelatin and the finished softgel where the source material qualifies. For EU and UK buyers, we supply a full technical dossier: specification, COA, allergen statement, heavy metals and oxidation test results, and a stability summary at 25°C/60% RH and 40°C/75% RH. Shelf life is set at 24 months in a sealed HDPE bottle.

Retail bottling runs from 30 to 120 count. We offer stock bottles with induction seals or printed labels to your artwork. Bulk softgels are also available in food-grade drums for buyers who bottle in their own facility. Documentation for customs and regulatory filing is prepared before shipment, not after. Air freight samples leave within 3 days of release; sea freight is consolidated weekly from Yantian and Shekou.

Every cod liver oil softgel batch is tested against a written specification before release. Identity is confirmed by fatty acid profile (EPA, DHA, and characteristic cod liver oil markers) using GC-FID. Vitamin A and D potency is assayed by HPLC, with results compared to the labelled claim and the natural variation range agreed at formulation. Microbial testing covers total aerobic count, yeast and mould, E. coli, and Salmonella. Heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury) are tested by ICP-MS. Disintegration is run on six softgels per batch in purified water at 37°C, with a 30-minute limit for standard shells and 60 minutes for enteric-coated lots.

In-process checks run throughout the softgel line. Fill weight is verified every 30 minutes against a ±5% tolerance, and shell thickness is measured hourly. At the start of each shift, operators confirm the gelatin mass temperature and the oil feed line is purged to prevent cross-contamination between products. After drying, softgels pass a visual inspection for leaks, deformation, and colour uniformity. Any batch outside specification is placed on hold, investigated, and either reworked under a documented deviation or rejected. Retained samples from every batch are stored at 25°C/60% RH for the full shelf life plus 12 months.

The certificate of analysis (COA) issued with each shipment lists batch number, manufacture and expiry dates, fill weight, vitamin A and D content, fatty acid profile, microbial results, heavy metals, disintegration time, and appearance. It also references the specification version and the analytical methods used. Where a customer requires it, we provide third-party COAs from an accredited external laboratory. Retention samples are kept for 24 months after expiry, and stability studies follow a 0, 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24-month protocol at 25°C/60% RH and 30°C/65% RH, with accelerated conditions at 40°C/75% RH for six months to support tentative shelf-life claims.

Cod liver oil softgels can be packed in HDPE bottles (60, 90, 120, 180, or 250 count), blister packs (10, 12, or 14 softgels per blister), stick packs (single softgel), or sachets (3 or 5 softgels). Bottles are induction-sealed and fitted with child-resistant or standard caps. Desiccant is added where humidity exposure during shipping is a risk. We can print batch number and expiry date in inkjet or laser coding on the bottle, label, and carton. Cartons are specified to your retail requirement, with standard configurations of 12, 24, or 48 bottles per shipper.

For US-market dietary supplements, the label must include the statement of identity, net quantity of contents, supplement facts panel with vitamin A and D percentages, other ingredients, suggested use, and the manufacturer/distributor name and address. We can review your artwork for these elements and for allergen and cautionary statements. For EU and UK markets, we check compliance with the relevant nutrition and health claims regulations. We do not provide legal advice, but our regulatory team flags missing mandatory fields before printing.

Retail-ready packing includes Amazon FNSKU labels applied over the bottle barcode, poly-bagging where required, and carton markings that meet marketplace requirements. We can also apply GS1 barcodes and lot/expiry coding in the format your retailer specifies. Pallet specifications are built to your destination: standard 1,200 x 1,000 mm or 1,200 x 800 mm pallets, with stretch-wrap and edge protection. For direct-to-consumer orders, we can pack to individual order requirements, but minimum quantities apply. All packaging components are food-grade and stored in a controlled area before use.

Sample requests are handled within 7 to 10 working days for standard formulations. Custom colour, flavour, or vitamin target adjustments add 3 to 5 working days. Samples are sent by courier with a COA and a draft label for reference. If you need a sample matched to an existing product, send the specification and any available COA, and we will confirm feasibility before quoting. Sample costs are credited against the first production order.

Mass production runs 20 to 35 working days after artwork and sample approval, depending on fill weight, packaging format, and whether the softgel shell requires enteric coating. MOQ is 1,000 units per SKU for standard bottles, with lower thresholds for pilot runs. For blister or stick pack formats, MOQ is higher because of line setup. We confirm the production window in writing once the purchase order and deposit are received.

Shipping is arranged by air or sea. Air freight typically takes 5 to 8 days door-to-door for 100 to 300 kg, while sea freight takes 25 to 40 days depending on destination port. We quote EXW, FOB Shenzhen or Hong Kong, and DDP for selected markets. Documents provided with each shipment include the commercial invoice, packing list, COA, MSDS, free-sale certificate, and, where required, a phytosanitary certificate or certificate of origin. We do not arrange import licences, but we supply the documents your customs broker needs.