Ginger Softgel Manufacturer for Retail and Private Label

EUPHM runs 8 softgel lines with a combined output of 1.2 million capsules per shift. Ginger fill is handled on the rotary die encapsulators, which hold fill weight tolerance at ±3% across a 500 mg run. That matters because ginger extract is expensive per kilogram. A drifting fill weight is a direct margin loss, and it also breaks label claims at the low end. We run a 30-minute weight check on every line, every shift.

Shell formulation is set per project. Standard gelatin shells suit most retail ginger SKUs. For vegan claims we use modified corn starch and carrageenan, which behaves differently on the drying tunnel. Vegan shells need 24-48 hours of additional curing at 21-24°C and 30-40% relative humidity, so plan 3-5 extra working days if the SKU carries a vegan front-of-pack claim.

Ginger root extract arrives as a spray-dried powder or a CO2 extract. Powder is dispersed in a carrier oil such as MCT, sunflower or sesame before encapsulation. CO2 extract is already oleoresin and blends directly. We hold three standardised grades: 5% gingerols, 10:1, and 20:1. Each batch is assayed by HPLC on receipt, and a retained sample is kept for 24 months. If your label claims 100 mg of gingerol per serving, that number is verified before the fill tank is charged.

Common additions include black pepper extract at 5-10 mg for piperine, turmeric extract, and vitamin B6. Each addition changes the fill viscosity and the shell thickness needed to hold it. We test viscosity at 25°C and adjust the gelatin or starch blend accordingly. Suspension stability is checked at 40°C and 75% RH for 4 weeks before a commercial batch is released, so settling does not appear on a pharmacy shelf in Dubai in August.

The facility is GMP-certified, ISO 22000 and HACCP compliant, and FDA-registered. Halal certificates are available on request, with the relevant shell and lubricant sources documented per batch. Organic ginger softgels can be produced when the extract carries or EU organic certification; the shell must also qualify, which usually means a non-gelatin system. We do not claim FDA approval for any product.

Every shipment leaves with a certificate of analysis covering appearance, fill weight, gingerol content, microbial limits, heavy metals and disintegration. Lead times for third-party testing at SGS or Eurofins add 5-7 working days if your market requires an import-specific report. We prepare commercial invoices, packing lists, certificates of origin and health certificates for EU, UK, US and GCC customs. Cartons are labelled to your artwork, with batch and expiry printed at the line.

Every ginger softgel batch is sampled at three points: incoming raw material, in-process fill mass, and finished softgels after drying. Identity testing uses HPLC to confirm gingerol content against the standardised specification, typically 5% gingerols. Potency is verified on the finished fill, not just the raw extract, because heat and oxidation during encapsulation can reduce active levels. Microbial testing covers total aerobic count, yeast and mould, E. coli and Salmonella. Heavy metals are screened by ICP-MS for lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury. Disintegration testing follows the relevant pharmacopoeial method, with typical results under 30 minutes for gelatin shells.

A certificate of analysis is issued per batch and includes the batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, fill weight, gingerol content by HPLC, microbial results, heavy metals, disintegration time and organoleptic check. Where a customer supplies a target specification, the COA is written against that specification and the actual result is reported alongside the limit. Retention samples of both the finished softgel and the oil fill are kept for the shelf life plus six months, stored at the label condition. This allows re-testing if a market complaint arises months after shipment.

Stability follows a bracketed protocol: accelerated at 40°C and 75% relative humidity for six months, and real-time at 25°C and 60% relative humidity for the declared shelf life. Ginger fills are monitored for gingerol loss, peroxide value of the oil base and shell hardness. Real-time data at three, six, twelve and twenty-four months is available for standard formulations. If a brand needs a shorter shelf life claim, for example 18 months, the real-time data package is adjusted accordingly and the label declaration is set to the supported period.

Ginger softgels can be packed in HDPE bottles, blister packs, stick packs or sachets. Bottles are the most common for private label: 60, 90, 120 or 180 count, with induction seal and child-resistant or standard cap. Blisters suit pharmacy and travel formats, typically 10 or 12 softgels per card. Stick packs and sachets are used for single-serve daily doses, usually 1 to 2 softgels per sachet. Cartons are specified with board grade, print process and barcode placement. Pallet configurations are agreed per order: for 60-count bottles, a standard pallet holds 48 to 60 cartons depending on bottle size, with stretch wrap and edge protectors.

For the US market, the label must carry a supplement facts panel with serving size, softgel count per serving, and the amount of ginger extract per serving. Other required elements include the statement of identity, net quantity, ingredient list, allergen declaration where applicable, and the manufacturer or distributor name and address. Lot number and expiry date are inkjet-coded on the bottle and outer carton. For Amazon FNSKU labelling, the factory can apply the FNSKU barcode over the original barcode or leave the retail barcode visible, depending on the seller's account settings. Retail compliance checks cover font size, unit conversion and claims wording.

Artwork is reviewed in-house against the destination market rules before printing. The factory does not write marketing claims, but it will flag statements that conflict with the product specification, such as a gingerol level that does not match the tested fill. Packaging components are specified with food-grade certificates and migration testing where required. For EU orders, the label includes the food business operator address and a lot code that links to the batch record. For private label, the brand owner is listed as the distributor and the factory as the manufacturer, unless the brand requests otherwise.

The minimum order quantity for ginger softgels is 1,000 units per SKU. Samples take 7 to 10 working days and include a shell and fill trial, so the brand can check appearance, smell and disintegration before committing to a production run. Sample costs are credited against the first bulk order. Mass production runs 20 to 35 working days after artwork approval and deposit, depending on softgel size, fill weight and packaging format. Bottle orders with complex labels add 3 to 5 working days for print and proofing.

Shipping is arranged by air or sea. Air freight from Guangdong to Europe or North America typically takes 5 to 8 days door to door for small parcels and 8 to 12 days for palletised air cargo. Sea freight to Rotterdam or Los Angeles takes 28 to 38 days port to port, plus customs clearance. Incoterms offered are EXW, FOB Shenzhen or Hong Kong, and DDP for selected destinations. DDP includes duty and customs clearance but requires the buyer to confirm the import licence and product registration status in the destination country before booking.

Documents provided with each shipment include the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of analysis, material safety data sheet, free-sale certificate and, where relevant, phytosanitary certificate for plant-derived ingredients. A certificate of origin can be issued on request. For EU orders, the factory provides the food safety declaration and, where the buyer needs it, a statement on GMO status and allergen absence. The export team confirms the document set against the destination country requirements before the container is sealed, so the buyer is not left chasing missing paperwork after arrival.