Soft Chew Manufacturer for Dietary Supplements

EUPHM operates two dedicated soft chew lines with continuous tempering and depositing. Each line runs at 1,200–1,800 pieces per minute depending on piece weight and formulation. We produce pectin, gelatin and starch-based matrices. In-line metal detection and checkweighing run at 100% of output. Changeover between SKUs takes 4–6 hours, including full washdown and allergen clearance. Batch sizes start at 50 kg of finished chew mass, which supports pilot runs as low as 1,000 units before scaling to retail volumes.

Tooling covers standard round, square and bear shapes from 1.5 g to 5.0 g. Custom moulds are available with a 15–20 working day lead time and a one-time tooling cost. We can co-extrude two colours or a centre fill for dual-layer chews. Packaging runs on the same site: bottles from 30 cc to 500 cc, induction sealing, child-resistant caps and labelled cartons. That keeps freight and handling between production and packing to a single facility.

Soft chews are sensitive to moisture, heat and pH. Our formulation team adjusts the base matrix to each active. For heat-labile ingredients such as probiotics or certain vitamins, we use a low-temperature depositing process and add the active after the base has cooled below 40°C. Overages are calculated per ingredient to meet label claim at end of shelf life, typically 5–20% depending on stability data. We can also mask bitter actives with a flavour system that holds up over 18–24 months.

We work with pectin for vegan and halal claims, gelatin for classic chew texture, and modified starch for sugar-free or low-sugar options. Sweetener systems include cane sugar, tapioca syrup, allulose, erythritol and stevia. Natural colours and flavours are available. Every formulation is tested for water activity, texture and microbial load before release. Stability testing runs at 25°C/60% RH and 40°C/75% RH for 3–6 months to support a 24-month shelf life.

The plant is GMP-certified and holds ISO 22000 and HACCP. We are FDA-registered for US imports. halal and vegan certifications are maintained where the ingredient list supports the claim. Each batch ships with a certificate of analysis covering identity, potency, microbials, heavy metals and water activity. We retain samples for 24 months. Documentation for EU and UK novel food or health claims is prepared on request, though the brand owner remains responsible for final claim compliance.

From Guangdong, we ship FOB Shenzhen or Yantian, or CIF to major ports. Air freight is available for pilot runs. Typical ocean transit is 18–28 days to US West Coast, 28–35 days to EU and UK, and 12–20 days to Middle East ports. We handle export documents, including health certificates and free sale certificates. Cartons are palletised to 1.2 m x 1.0 m or 1.2 m x 0.8 m, with desiccant packs for humid destinations.

Every soft chew batch is tested against a written specification before release. Incoming raw materials are checked for identity by FTIR or HPLC, and potency is verified against the certificate of analysis from the supplier. During production, in-process checks cover weight variation, hardness and moisture at the start, middle and end of each run. Finished chews are tested for potency, microbial limits (total plate count, yeast and mould, E. coli, Salmonella), heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, mercury) and disintegration time. Disintegration is typically specified at not more than 30 minutes in purified water at 37°C, though the exact limit depends on the matrix and the target market.

A certificate of analysis accompanies every batch. It lists the product name, lot number, manufacture and expiry dates, the tests performed, the specification limits, the results and the method used. Where a customer needs a specific method, such as USP <2023> for disintegration or AOAC methods for vitamins, this is stated on the COA. We retain a sample from each batch for the full shelf life plus six months. Retention samples are stored under the same conditions as the commercial stock so they can be re-tested if a market complaint arises.

Stability follows a protocol agreed at the sample stage. Accelerated testing runs for six months at 40°C and 75% relative humidity, with assays at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. Real-time testing runs at 25°C and 60% relative humidity for the proposed shelf life, typically 18 to 24 months. Parameters include potency, moisture, water activity, texture and microbial count. Water activity is critical for soft chews because it governs mould growth and texture drift; we typically target a water activity below 0.65, depending on the formula.

Microbial testing is performed on every batch, not by exception. Heavy metals are tested per batch for products containing botanical extracts, cocoa or marine ingredients, and per SKU on a rolling basis for simpler formulas. If a result falls outside specification, the batch is placed on hold and an investigation is opened before any re-test or rework decision. Records are kept for at least two years after expiry, which meets US and EU expectations for dietary supplement documentation.

Soft chews are packed in HDPE bottles, glass jars, blister packs, stick packs or single-serve sachets. Bottles are the most common for retail: 60 cc, 100 cc, 150 cc and 250 cc sizes cover most count ranges, with induction seals and child-resistant closures where required. Blister packs suit pharmacy and travel formats, while stick packs and sachets suit sample programmes and subscription models. We can add desiccant canisters or oxygen absorbers where the formula is moisture-sensitive. Carton board, shrink wrap and display-ready cases are available on request.

For the US market, the label must carry a supplement facts panel with serving size, amount per serving and % daily value where established, plus the ingredient list in descending order of weight, allergen declarations and the manufacturer or distributor statement. We prepare print-ready artwork from your content and check it against FDA 21 CFR 101 requirements before plating. For the EU and UK, we check the nutrition declaration, permitted health claims and the food supplement labelling rules for the destination country. Lot number and best-before date are inkjet-printed on the base or neck of each bottle, and the same codes appear on the carton.

Cartons are specified to survive normal retail and e-commerce handling. A typical shipper holds 12 to 24 bottles, with a gross weight under 15 kg for manual handling. Pallets are built to 1,200 x 1,000 mm or 1,200 x 800 mm depending on the destination, stretch-wrapped and labelled with SKU, lot, quantity and country of origin. For Amazon, we apply FNSKU labels, poly-bag or bubble protection where needed, and carton labels that meet the marketplace's inbound requirements. We do not print retail price or promotional claims unless you supply approved copy.

Sampling starts with a formulation brief and target dose. We issue a quotation within two working days and, once approved, produce samples in 7 to 10 working days. Samples are shipped by courier with a draft COA so you can review both the product and the documentation. If the sample needs adjustment, one revision round is included at no extra cost; further rounds are quoted separately. Sample costs are credited against the first production order above the MOQ.

Mass production runs 20 to 35 working days after sample approval and receipt of a deposit. The window depends on packaging lead time, whether the formula contains controlled or specialty ingredients, and the queue on the two soft chew lines. We confirm a production slot in writing once the deposit is received. For repeat orders with unchanged specifications, the window is typically 18 to 25 working days. We do not quote a shorter lead time than we can hold, because missed ship dates cost more than an honest estimate.

Shipping is by air or sea. Air freight takes 5 to 10 days door to door and suits pilot orders and urgent replenishment. Sea freight takes 25 to 40 days depending on the port, and is the default for full-container orders. We quote EXW, FOB Shenzhen or Hong Kong, and DDP for selected destinations. DDP includes customs clearance and duty, but the buyer remains responsible for product registration and market-specific labelling compliance.

Each shipment is accompanied by a commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of analysis, material safety data sheet where applicable, and a free-sale certificate. For botanical or agricultural ingredients, a phytosanitary certificate can be arranged if the destination requires it. Certificates of origin are available for preferential tariff schemes. We send scanned documents before dispatch so your customs broker can review them, and we keep the original set with the shipment unless you ask for courier delivery.