In health food and supplement development, raw material selection greatly affects quality and cost. Here are the basics to check when sourcing.
1. Specification / Grade
Confirm the material meets the grade for its intended use (food/pharmaceutical/feed). For food additives, the Japanese Standards for Food Additives is the benchmark.
2. CAS Number
The CAS number uniquely identifies a substance. Since salts and hydrates have different CAS numbers, make sure it matches the intended form.
3. COA / 4. Traceability / 5. Lot & MOQ
A lot-by-lot Certificate of Analysis is key to quality confirmation. Origin, manufacturing history, and minimum order quantity (MOQ) also affect your plans.