Milk Thistle Capsule Manufacturer for Global Brands

Our capsule filling suite runs two automatic lines with a combined output of 120,000 capsules per shift. For milk thistle, we typically fill size 0 or size 1 capsules at 300-800 mg fill weight. Changeover between SKUs takes under 4 hours. This allows us to run multiple milk thistle variants, such as 80% silymarin and 50% silymarin, in the same week. We also handle low-volume pilot runs from 500 units for market testing.

Each line is equipped with inline weight checks every 15 minutes. Capsule fill weight is verified to ±5% of target. We use qualified suppliers for both HPMC and gelatin shells. Shell inventory is held in climate-controlled storage at 18-22°C and 45-55% relative humidity. This prevents brittleness and ensures consistent appearance in retail bottles.

Milk thistle extract is sourced from European or Chinese suppliers with full traceability. We standardise silymarin content to 50%, 65% or 80% by HPLC. The extract is blended with excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, magnesium stearate or silicon dioxide. We can produce clean-label formulas with only the extract and a minimal carrier. Organic milk thistle is available on request with or EU organic certification.

We also offer combination formulas. Common additions include dandelion root, artichoke extract, turmeric or vitamin B complex. Each added ingredient is tested for identity, potency and heavy metals before blending. Our formulation team provides a bill of materials and a finished product specification within 3 working days of receiving your target profile. All formulas are developed to meet US, EU and Middle East regulatory requirements.

Every batch of milk thistle capsules undergoes full release testing. We test for silymarin content, disintegration time, microbial limits, heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic) and pesticide residues. Our in-house lab runs HPLC and ICP-MS. Third-party testing is available through Eurofins or SGS at cost. Certificates of analysis are issued per batch and match the finished product specification.

We hold GMP, ISO 22000 and HACCP certifications. Halal certification is available for gelatin and HPMC capsules. For organic SKUs, we can arrange USDA organic or EU organic certification. Documentation for customs and regulatory filing includes certificate of origin, free sale certificate, and MSDS. We support label review for FDA structure-function claims and EU health claims. All records are retained for 5 years.

Milk thistle capsules can be packed in HDPE bottles from 60 to 180 count, in blister packs, or in single-serve sachets where a daily-dose format suits the market. Bottles are fitted with induction seals and child-resistant or standard closures depending on destination requirements. We hold tooling for common bottle diameters, so a custom mould is only needed for unusual shapes. Carton board weight, print finish and insert options are quoted at brief stage so packaging cost is visible before formulation is locked.

For US-bound dietary supplements, the label must carry a supplement facts panel with the silymarin quantity per serving, the percent daily value where applicable, a complete other ingredients list, net quantity of contents, and the manufacturer or distributor statement with a US address or phone number. We prepare artwork templates and check submitted artwork against those elements before printing. Lot number and expiry date are applied by inkjet or laser coding at packing, with the format agreed in writing so it matches your traceability system.

Cartons are specified with dimensions, board grade and case count agreed per SKU, and pallets are built to a standard footprint with stretch wrap and corner boards. Where stock is destined for Amazon FBA, we can apply FNSKU labels and poly-bag units to the marketplace requirements, and we check carton weight and dimension limits before dispatch. Retail compliance checks such as barcode placement and required warning statements are handled at the artwork approval stage rather than after printing.

Shipping carton markings include lot number, expiry, quantity and country of origin, and we can add handling symbols and importer details where the destination market requires them. If your brand supplies to a retailer with its own labelling standard, send the specification with the purchase order. Packaging changes made after artwork approval usually add to the production window, so the fastest route is to settle pack format, label content and carton spec before the pilot run is signed off.

Sampling starts with a brief covering extract standardisation, fill weight, capsule shell, pack format and target market. We send stock or custom samples within 7 to 10 working days, and where a custom formulation is requested the sample is produced on the same line that will run the commercial batch. Sample approval in writing is the trigger for production scheduling. Pilot runs from 500 units let a brand test the market or validate artwork before committing to a full order.

Mass production runs 20 to 35 working days after sample approval, depending on extract availability, capsule shell lead time and packaging complexity. Orders using a standard 80 percent silymarin extract and stock bottles sit at the shorter end. Custom printed cartons, blister tooling or a new capsule colour extend the window. We confirm a production date in the order acknowledgement and report progress at agreed checkpoints rather than leaving the buyer to chase.

We quote EXW, FOB and DDP. FOB shipments from Guangdong ports suit buyers with their own freight forwarder, while DDP is common for smaller brands that want the landed cost fixed before ordering. Air freight takes roughly 5 to 10 days door to door and suits pilot volumes or urgent replenishment. Sea freight takes around 25 to 40 days depending on the destination port. Capsules are light for their volume, so air is often viable on smaller orders.

Each shipment is accompanied by a certificate of analysis for the batch, a material safety data sheet, and a free sale certificate where the destination authority requests one. Phytosanitary certificates are not normally relevant to encapsulated botanical extracts but can be arranged if your import broker asks. Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or airway bill are issued in the names you specify, and we check document requirements against the destination before the goods leave the factory.