Elderberry Gummy Manufacturer for Global Brands

Our gummy lines run pectin and gelatin bases at 2.5g and 3.5g fill weights. Elderberry extract is dosed by weight, not volume, to keep anthocyanin content consistent. We use a low-temperature depositing process to protect heat-sensitive actives. Typical output is 1.2 million gummies per day across the gummy department. For elderberry specifically, we recommend a 3.5g gummy with 100-200mg of 10:1 extract, which delivers a meaningful dose without a bitter aftertaste. Pilot runs start at 1,000 units so you can test the market before committing to full production.

Changeover between elderberry and other fruit gummies follows a full clean-down. Shared lines are flushed with food-grade sanitiser and verified by swab testing. If you need dedicated equipment for allergen control or halal certification, we can schedule elderberry runs on a segregated line. Lead times remain 20-35 working days for standard orders. For repeat orders, we hold your approved formula and packaging artwork on file to shorten reorder cycles.

Elderberry extract is available as 5:1, 10:1, or 20:1 concentrates. The 10:1 is the most common for gummies because it balances cost and potency. We blend it with pectin for vegan and vegetarian options, or gelatin for a traditional chew. Pectin gummies need a higher solids content and a longer setting time. Gelatin gummies set faster and have a springier texture. Both can carry 100-200mg of extract per gummy. We also add vitamin C, zinc, or honey to support the elderberry positioning. Flavour masking is critical because elderberry can taste tart; we use natural berry flavours and a small amount of citric acid to round it out.

Colour comes from the elderberry itself, but it fades over shelf life. To keep a consistent deep purple, we add a small amount of fruit and vegetable juice concentrate. No synthetic dyes. Sweeteners include cane sugar, tapioca syrup, or allulose for low-sugar versions. Allulose gummies require a different pectin ratio and a longer drying time. We test every formulation for water activity, texture, and stability at 25°C and 40°C. If you have a target dose or a clean-label requirement, send the spec and we will match it.

Every elderberry batch is tested for anthocyanin content, microbial safety, heavy metals, and residual solvents. We release certificates of analysis with each shipment. The facility is GMP-certified, ISO 22000, and HACCP. halal and vegan certifications are available on request. For US buyers, we operate as an FDA-registered facility. For EU buyers, we comply with EU food supplement regulations. Documentation includes certificates of origin, health certificates, and free sale certificates where needed. We do not claim FDA approval; we are registered, not approved.

Shipping is by air or sea from Shenzhen or Hong Kong. Air freight takes 5-8 days to the US or EU; sea freight takes 25-35 days. We handle export customs clearance and provide all commercial documents. Packaging options include 60-count, 90-count, and 120-count bottles, plus pouches and stick packs. Labels can be printed in English, German, French, Arabic, or other languages. For Middle East orders, we include halal certificates and Arabic labelling. Orders ship within 5 working days of final payment and quality release.

Every elderberry gummy batch is sampled at three points: incoming raw material, in-process gel mass, and finished product. The extract is tested for identity by HPLC fingerprint and for anthocyanin content, typically 5% to 10% by weight. Gel mass is checked for pH, Brix and setting temperature before depositing. Finished gummies are tested for microbials (total plate count, yeast and mould, E. coli, Salmonella), heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury), and disintegration time. Tests follow AOAC or equivalent methods and are run in-house or at an accredited third-party laboratory.

A Certificate of Analysis (COA) is issued per batch and includes the product name, batch number, production date, expiry date, and test results against specification. It lists the elderberry extract ratio, fill weight, and microbial and heavy-metal results. If you need a specific marker compound or a tighter anthocyanin range, this can be added to the specification and reported on the COA. Retention samples of every batch are kept for at least two years, or one year beyond the declared shelf life, whichever is longer, so any future query can be traced to a physical sample.

Stability follows an accelerated protocol at 40°C and 75% relative humidity for six months, with checks at zero, one, two, three and six months for appearance, texture, moisture, anthocyanin retention and microbial status. Real-time studies at 25°C are run in parallel and support the shelf-life claim on the label. For elderberry, the main risk is colour fade and loss of anthocyanin, so the accelerated data is used to set the overage level and the packaging barrier requirement. Results are summarised in a stability report you can keep in your product documentation file.

Standard packaging for elderberry gummies is a white HDPE bottle with a child-resistant cap, induction seal and a desiccant canister where needed. Bottle sizes are typically 60, 90, 120 and 180 count, with label dimensions to suit. Blister packs, stick packs and single-serve sachets are also available on the same lines. For stick packs, the fill weight is usually 2.5g per stick and the film is a foil laminate with a moisture barrier. Cartons are specified with a minimum edge crush test of 32 ECT and palletised at 48 to 60 cases per layer depending on case size.

Labels are prepared to meet FDA dietary-supplement requirements: statement of identity, net quantity, supplement facts panel with serving size and % daily value where applicable, ingredient list, allergen statement, and the manufacturer or distributor address. Lot number and expiry date are inkjet-coded on the bottle and the carton, with the format agreed at artwork approval. For Amazon sellers, we can apply FNSKU labels and poly-bag the bottles before cartoning. Retail compliance for the EU requires the address of the food business operator in the EU, and for the UK a UK address, both of which can be added to the label.

Artwork is checked against a pre-press checklist that covers barcode scannability (UPC or EAN), font size for net quantity, and country of origin marking. We do not design labels but we do review them for print feasibility and regulatory elements. Carton markings include product name, lot number, quantity, gross weight and dimensions. If you are supplying to a retailer that requires a specific pallet configuration, such as a 1200x1000mm pallet or a specific height limit, this is confirmed before production so the pallet is built to the buyer's specification.

The sample timeline starts with a brief: flavour, base (pectin or gelatin), fill weight, extract ratio and packaging format. We provide a quotation within two working days and a sample in 7 to 10 working days after the brief is agreed. Sample cost is credited against the first production order. If a new shape or a custom colour is required, add five working days for tooling. The sample is sent by courier with a COA and a specification sheet so your team can evaluate both the product and the documentation.

Production lead time is 20 to 35 working days after sample approval and receipt of the deposit. This covers raw material procurement, production, testing and packing. Peak season, typically August to November, can add five to ten working days, so plan orders around that window. The MOQ is 1,000 units per SKU, and lower quantities are possible for pilot runs with a higher unit cost. Once production is complete, we send photos of the finished goods and the packing list before shipment.

Shipping is by air or sea. Air freight is typically 5 to 8 days door to door and suits smaller orders or urgent launches. Sea freight is 25 to 40 days depending on the destination port and is more economical for full containers. We work on EXW, FOB and DDP terms. Documents provided include the commercial invoice, packing list, COA, MSDS, free-sale certificate, and a phytosanitary certificate where the destination requires it. For DDP shipments, we handle customs clearance and delivery to your warehouse, with duties and taxes included in the quoted price.