Dietary Supplement Production – In-Depth Analysis 2025

In-Depth Analysis of Dietary Supplement Production

Introduction: Production of dietary supplements is a complex process involving modern technologies, rigorous quality control and meeting many legal requirements. The industry is developing dynamically – the global supplement market has grown from ~ USD 82 billion in 2012 to approx. USD 149,5 billion in 2021, and forecasts predict reaching approx. USD 308 billion by 2028 (CAGR ~ 8,9%)
[49†L1200-L1208]
[49†L1201-L1205].
Poniższy raport omawia kluczowe aspekty produkcji suplementów diety: od metod wytwarzania i surowców, przez regulacje prawne i systemy jakości, po trendy rynkowe, innowacje oraz czynniki ekonomiczne.

Technological processes and production methods

Stages of production of dietary supplements

The production of a dietary supplement takes place in stages – from obtaining and preparing raw materials to packaging the finished product.
[61†L446-L454].
W przypadku suplementów ziołowych kluczowym krokiem jest
extraction active substances from plant raw materials. Both classic methods (maceration, percolation, distillation) and modern techniques are used, which increase efficiency and protect sensitive compounds. These include: Soxhlet extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, microwave extraction, supercritical CO₂ extraction, accelerated solvent extraction, hydrodistillation, ultra-high-pressure extraction or enzymatic extraction assisted by enzymes
[51†L579-L588].
Po uzyskaniu ekstraktu często przeprowadza się jego
concentration and drying (e.g. spray drying or freeze drying) and then
micronization – particle fragmentation to a size of a few micrometers. Micronization improves the homogeneity of mixing ingredients and the bioavailability of active substances
[5†L6-L14].
Dla szczególnie wrażliwych składników (np. probiotyków, kwasów tłuszczowych) stosuje się
microencapsulation – surrounding the particles with a protective matrix (e.g. polysaccharide or protein), which protects them from oxidation or stomach acid.

The next stage is
formulation and mixing – combining active substances with appropriate carriers and technological additives (e.g. anti-caking agents, fillers). A formula is developed that takes into account the doses of ingredients that meet the intended functions and legal requirements, and the necessary excipients are selected so that the mixture is suitable for efficient processing on the production line
[61†L469-L477].
Następnie w zależności od docelowej postaci produktu przeprowadza się właściwy proces wytwórczy:
encapsulation
and/ or
tableting.
Enkapsulacja polega na napełnianiu kapsułek żelatynowych bądź celulozowych odmierzoną porcją sproszkowanej lub płynnej mieszanki – nowoczesne kapsułkarki są w stanie napełniać nawet kilkadziesiąt tysięcy kapsułek na godzinę
[54†L204-L212].
Tabletkowanie zaś odbywa się na prasach tabletkowych, gdzie proszek jest sprasowywany pod dużym naciskiem w jednorodne tabletki. Wytwarza się zarówno tabletki niepowlekane (np. musujące czy do ssania), jak i powlekane – te ostatnie pokrywane są cienką warstwą polimerową (film) w celu maskowania smaku lub kontrolowania uwalniania składników. Coraz popularniejsze są także nietradycyjne formy jak
chewing gums, gel lozenges, powder sachets or liquid shots, requiring separate manufacturing methods (e.g. jelly casting, mixing and aseptic filling of liquids).

The final steps of the process are
product quality control, packaging and labeling. Each batch of the supplement is tested for compliance with the requirements (including the content of declared ingredients, microbiological purity, lack of heavy metal contamination)
[61†L446-L454].
Gotowe produkty kapsułkuje się w blistry lub butelki, dozuje do pojemników zbiorczych (np. puszek z proszkiem), następnie nakleja etykiety z wymaganymi informacjami i zabezpiecza (np. folią termokurczliwą). Tak przygotowane opakowania zbiorcze są kartonowane i przekazywane do magazynu celem dystrybucji.

Technologies used (nanotechnology, fermentation, synthesis)

The production of modern dietary supplements increasingly uses advanced technologies borrowed from the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Nanotechnology is used to improve the bioavailability of difficult to absorb ingredients. It is created
nanoemulsions,
nanoliposomes
or
lipid nanoparticles, which can transport vitamins, polyphenols and fatty acids more effectively in the body
[50†L219-L227].
these
Nanoencapsulation protect active substances from degradation and increase their solubility in water, which translates into better absorption. For example, curcumin (known for its very poor solubility) is enclosed in nanoliposomes or cyclodextrins, achieving concentrations in the blood many times higher than with traditional administration. However, it should be remembered that the safety of long-term use of nano-carriers requires further research
[50†L225-L231],
dlatego producenci muszą spełniać rygorystyczne normy, jeśli sięgają po takie innowacje.

Fermentation industrial is another key technology – it concerns especially obtaining vitamins and active ingredients by biotechnological methods. Nowadays, most of the B vitamins (e.g. B₂ – riboflavin, B₁₂ – cobalamin) are produced on an industrial scale in fermentation processes involving microorganisms
[10†L475-L481].
Za pomocą inżynierii genetycznej tworzy się szczepy bakterii lub grzybów wydzielające duże ilości pożądanej witaminy, które następnie izoluje się z pożywki. Przykładowo, witamina B₁₂ w naturze jest wytwarzana tylko przez mikroorganizmy – przemysłowo otrzymuje się ją fermentując odpowiednie bakterie i oczyszczając produkt. Fermentacja wykorzystywana jest także do wytwarzania
amino acids (e.g. glutamine, lysine) or enzymes added to supplements. Moreover, thanks to the advances in synthetic biology, more and more "natural" ingredients can be obtained
vitro – e.g. some polyphenols or sweeteners (stevia) are produced in fermenters by genetically modified yeast
[8†L9-L17].
The so-called
precise fermentation allows microorganisms to act as "cellular factories" producing pure active ingredients - from vitamins, through aromas, to proteins and bioactive compounds
[10†L427-L436].

Many supplements are also created as a result
chemical synthesis. This is especially true for vitamins and minerals: for example
vitamin C (ascorbic acid) It is almost entirely synthesized on an industrial scale – most often by fermentation and chemical synthesis developed in China, using corn starch as a raw material
[9†L153-L160]. Similarly
Vitamin D₃ It is produced by exposing lanolin sterols (obtained from sheep wool) to UV radiation.
[9†L141-L149].
Część witamin występuje w postaci różnych form – np. naturalna witamina E (d-α-tokoferol) ma nieco inną strukturę niż syntetyczny dl-α-tokoferol, co wpływa na aktywność biologiczną
[9†L179-L187].
Dlatego w procesie syntezy zwraca się uwagę na uzyskanie właściwego izomeru optycznego. W produkcji składników mineralnych stosuje się reakcje chemiczne w celu otrzymania soli o wysokiej biodostępności – np. cytrynian wapnia czy magnezu. Z kolei
omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA) for supplements are traditionally obtained from fish oils, but the share of biotechnological techniques is growing – microalgae cultivation producing DHA, the biomass of which is extracted. More and more active substances in supplements are therefore of biotechnological or synthetic origin, although their chemical structure is identical to the natural one (so-called nature-identical ingredients)
[9†L147-L155].

Process automation and optimization

Modern dietary supplement production plants are highly automated. The production lines are equipped with high-speed container mixers, sifters and computer-controlled dispensers, which ensures the uniformity of each product series.
High-power rotary capsule and tablet presses enable mass production – one multi-head press can produce up to several hundred thousand tablets per day, and a capsule machine can fill several dozen thousand capsules per hour
[54†L204-L212].
Nowoczesne urządzenia są często łączone w zintegrowane ciągi produkcyjne, gdzie kolejne etapy (mieszanie → granulacja → suszenie → tabletkowanie/kapsułkowanie → powlekanie → pakowanie) następują automatycznie, minimalizując kontakt produktu z otoczeniem i ryzyko zanieczyszczeń. W zakładach przestrzega się zasad
clean room – the rooms are air-conditioned and filtered (temperature, humidity and air purity control)
[54†L175-L183],
co jest istotne np. przy produkcji probiotyków wymagających chłodzenia.

Automation also includes in-line quality control systems. Metal detectors, equipment for checking the weight of tablets/capsules in flight, vision cameras checking the completeness of filling or the integrity of blisters are used. Data from sensors and machines are collected in SCADA/MES systems, which allows monitoring the process in real time and reacting quickly to deviations - this is a manifestation of the concept
Industry 4.0 in the supplement sector. Companies are also implementing solutions such as
track & trace (assigning a unique code to each batch and tracking its path from raw material to final product), which facilitates any possible recall of defective batches and increases safety.

Automation also helps
optimization – advanced software can simulate powder mixing or granule flow in a tablet press, helping to select process parameters for the highest efficiency and quality. Robotics is sometimes used in packaging – robots pick-and-place they put sachets or bottles into cartons. Thanks to this, efficiency and repeatability increase, and labor costs (and the risk of human error) decrease. As a result, even with a large scale of production (plants combining an area of ​​>14 thousand m²), maintaining high quality is possible with a relatively small operational staff
[54†L167-L175].

Raw materials and active ingredients

Sources of raw materials: natural, synthetic, biotechnological

Raw materials used in dietary supplements come from a variety of sources.
Plant ingredients (herbs, fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, algae) are common in herbal preparations and so-called nutraceuticals. For example, turmeric is obtained from the rhizomes Curcuma longa, St. John's wort herb St. John's wort, and spirulina from cyanobacteria cultures. Valuable compounds are isolated from plants, but their concentration in the raw material is often low and variable – therefore, the extractions and concentrations described earlier are used.
Animal raw materials are also used: cod liver oil is a classic source of vitamins A and D, fish oil from sardines and anchovies provides omega-3, and collagen hydrolysates are obtained from the skin and cartilage of fish or cattle. However, there is an increasing emphasis on plant-based alternatives (e.g. omega-3 from algae instead of fish) due to vegetarian preferences and sustainability issues.

Synthetic substances constitute a significant part of the active ingredients – especially vitamins, minerals and some amino acids. Synthetic vitamins are chemically identical to natural ones (if they are the form nature identical, not another isomer). Synthetic forms of vitamins dominate the market: e.g.
vitamin C – as mentioned – it is almost entirely produced industrially (China is responsible for most of the global supply of ascorbic acid)
[55†L1-L4].
Also
B vitamins (thiamine B₁, pyridoxine B₆, pantothenic acid B₅, etc.) are manufactured in factories using petrochemical or sugar raw materials as bases. Often, the starting raw material is simple compounds (e.g., cornerstone, glucose), which are transformed into the target vitamin structure in a multi-step chemical process
[9†L187-L195].
Similarly
minerals It is often obtained by chemical reactions – e.g. by combining calcium carbonate with citric acid to obtain calcium citrate, which is more absorbable than raw chalk.

Ingredients are a growing segment
biotechnological obtained by biological engineering methods. In addition to the above-mentioned fermentation vitamins, examples include
friendly bacteria for probiotics – strains of lactic acid bacteria, bifidobacteria or yeast, grown in bioreactors and freeze-dried as a powder added to capsules. Another example are extracts from plant tissue cultures – certain substances (such as resveratrol or astaxanthin algae) can be produced by growing plant cells or algae in controlled conditions and isolating the desired compounds from them. Thanks to biotechnology, it is also possible to produce
vegan analogues ingredients – e.g.
Vitamin D₂ obtained from yeast fermentation as a substitute for vitamin D₃ from lanolin, or
iron in the form of amino acid chelates. In sum, the raw materials for supplements are a mix of nature and modern science: from fields and fisheries, through mineral mines, to chemical laboratories and fermentation plants.

Standardization and purity of active substances

Standardization raw materials, especially plant-based, is crucial to ensuring the repeatable quality of the supplement. The content of active ingredients in natural raw materials is subject to large fluctuations - it depends on the variety, cultivation conditions, harvest, storage
[7†L224-L233].
Dlatego opracowano metody standaryzacji ekstraktów roślinnych: ekstrakt poddaje się analizie (np. chromatograficznej) w celu oznaczenia stężenia markerowego związku aktywnego, a następnie partię ekstraktu rozcieńcza się lub zagęszcza (albo domieszkowuje neutralnym nośnikiem), by osiągnąć ściśle określony poziom tego markera
[7†L234-L242].
Przykładowo ekstrakt z miłorzębu japońskiego standaryzuje się na 24% glikozydów flawonowych i 6% laktonów terpenowych; ekstrakt z żeń-szenia – na 5% ginsenozydów, itd. Standaryzacja gwarantuje, że każda partia surowca dostarcza zbliżonej dawki aktywnych składników, co przekłada się na powtarzalność działania preparatu
[7†L232-L241].

In addition to the content of active ingredients, it is important
purity of raw materials. Suppliers must ensure that their products are free from physical, chemical and biological contamination. Plant raw materials are tested for the presence of pesticides and heavy metals – EU and US regulations set permissible limits, e.g. for lead, cadmium, arsenic. In addition, the content of solvents remaining after extraction (e.g. ethanol, acetone – they must be within pharmacopoeial standards) is controlled. Animal raw materials (e.g. gelatin, bovine colostrum) require safety certificates (BSE/TSE free). Finally, microbiological raw materials (probiotics) must be clean in terms of the presence of pathogens. The supplement manufacturer often requests a so-called
raw material specification and a current certificate of analysis (CoA), confirming the batch’s compliance with the requirements regarding active substance content and purity.

Isolation of active substances from raw materials is a related issue to standardization. For the needs of supplements, we usually do not go for pure substances (as in pharmacy), but concentrate extracts containing the full spectrum of compounds. Nevertheless, sometimes single natural ingredients with high activity are isolated - e.g. allicin from garlic, huperzine A from clubmoss or capsaicin from peppers. Advanced chromatographic or crystallization techniques are used for this. The pure compound obtained in this way can then be dosed precisely in the supplement. An alternative approach is
synthesis of natural molecules in the laboratory – for example, coenzyme Q10, although naturally occurring, is usually produced by fermentation or synthetically to obtain larger quantities economically. It is important that both isolated and synthetic ingredients have the appropriate
bioavailability – e.g. chelated minerals are preferred over simple salts because they are better absorbed. Therefore, the process of obtaining raw materials often also includes the stage of forming them into forms with better absorption (e.g. spraying the vitamin onto a carrier with maltodextrin, creating microcapsules from gelatin with fish oil).

Legal standards and regulations

Regulations in the European Union

In the European Union, dietary supplements are legally treated as
foodstuffs specjalnego przeznaczenia. Podstawowym aktem jest Dyrektywa 2002/46/WE, która definiuje suplementy diety jako
“żywność, której celem jest uzupełnienie normalnej diety, będącą skoncentrowanym źródłem składników odżywczych lub innych substancji o działaniu odżywczym lub fizjologicznym, występującą w formie dawkowanej”
[17†L7-L15].
UE ustanowiła
positive lists of allowed vitamins and minerals and their chemical forms in supplements (Annexes to Directive 2002/46/EC). EFSA plays a key role – it assesses the safety of new substances and establishes
Tolerable Upper Intake Levels (UL) vitamins and minerals
[56†L7-L15].

Introducing a dietary supplement to the EU market does not require central registration or authorisation (as is the case with medicines), but is subject to a procedure
notifications competent national authorities. In Poland, for example, the manufacturer or distributor must notify the product to the GIS. The label must meet the requirements of Regulation 1169/2011 (including a list of ingredients, content of active ingredients per serving, % of reference intake values ​​for vitamins/minerals, warnings). Supplements in the EU cannot declare medicinal properties - only the following are permitted:
Nutrition and health claims approved under Regulation 1924/2006. For example, “vitamin C contributes to the normal functioning of the immune system” is permitted, but “this supplement prevents influenza” is not.

The supervision of the supplements market in the EU is carried out by national authorities in systematic cooperation – there is a system
RASFF (Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed), where incidents involving unsafe food products are reported
[56†L19-L22].
W razie wykrycia nieprawidłowości służby mogą wycofać produkt z obrotu w całej UE. Podsumowując, UE stawia na prewencję (listy dozwolonych składników i oświadczeń) oraz kontrolę
post factum (monitoring market safety), while ensuring the free flow of goods between Member States.

Regulations in the United States (FDA)

In the US, dietary supplements are also considered food, but the regulations are different from those in Europe. The key act is
Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA) from 1994, which defined supplements as a product containing dietary ingredients intended to supplement the diet. Manufacturer
does not need to obtain prior FDA approval for the sale of a supplement - the manufacturer is responsible for ensuring that the product is safe and properly labeled before it hits the market
[19†L113-L121].
FDA nie zatwierdza suplementów przed ich wprowadzeniem do obrotu (jak czyni to w przypadku leków), ale ma uprawnienia, by podjąć działania, jeśli produkt okaże się niebezpieczny
[57†L7-L10].

A supplement manufacturer in the US must comply
cGMP (current Good Manufacturing Practice) described in 21 CFR Part 111, maintain manufacturing and quality control records, and know the ingredients of your products. If the supplement contains
new dietary ingredient (NDI), which was not present on the US market before 1994, the manufacturer is required to notify the FDA (NDI Notification). The supplement label in the US must include the panel
Supplement Facts, % DV, list of ingredients and recommended serving. Allowed are
structural-functional statements (e.g. “supports healthy joints”), but with a mandatory disclaimer
“This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA…”.
Niedozwolone są twierdzenia lecznicze.

The American system is based on
self-control of the industry in the pre-market phase and
post-market official control. The FDA and FTC monitor the market and can withdraw a product if they detect counterfeiting or a threat. On the one hand, this gives manufacturers a lot of freedom, on the other – full responsibility for safety. In practice, this means greater marketing opportunities, but also the need to maintain high standards to avoid sanctions.

Regulation in Asia and other key markets

China – one of the largest supplement markets in the world – have very strict regulations. Dietary supplements are so-called “health foods” supervised by the National Medical Products Administration (formerly CFDA). Every domestic or imported product must obtain
Blue Hat certificate
[16†L892-L900].
Procedura ta jest kosztowna i czasochłonna (1–2 lata). Alternatywą jest sprzedaż transgraniczna (CBEC), ale w ograniczonym zakresie. W
Japan there is a unique categorization system (FOSHU, FNFC, FFC) with different levels of requirements for efficacy testing
[60†L241-L249].
Canada - supplements are
Natural Health Products (NHP), require NPN license before sale
[58†L7-L15].
Australia – most supplements classified as
Complementary Medicines, must obtain AUST L (Listed) from the TGA.

Although approaches vary around the world (from liberal in the US to strict in China), there is a trend towards
unification of standards safety and quality (e.g. Codex Alimentarius activities). Many countries require GMP, NDI reporting, HACCP systems, restricting misleading advertising. Ultimately, all regulations aim to protect the consumer, although they burden producers with compliance costs to varying degrees.

Quality, certification and safety control

Quality control systems: GMP, ISO, HACCP

The dietary supplement industry is subject to high quality requirements, similar in many aspects to pharmaceuticals. Most reputable manufacturers operate in accordance with the principles
Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). In the USA cGMP for supplements it is mandatory by law
[19†L113-L121].
W UE suplementy, jako żywność, muszą spełniać wymagania higieniczne (rozporządzenie 852/2004), w tym obowiązkowo mieć wdrożony system
HACCP (hazard analysis and critical control points).

GMP is a set of detailed guidelines for the entire production and quality control process
[21†L113-L121].
Obejmuje m.in. kwalifikację dostawców surowców, system zatwierdzania każdej partii, walidację krytycznych etapów, szkolenie personelu, prowadzenie szczegółowej dokumentacji, śledzenie partii w łańcuchu dostaw. Utrzymanie GMP zwiększa koszt, ale minimalizuje ryzyko błędów i skażeń, gwarantując wysoką jakość produktu.

HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) is a system derived from the food industry. It involves the analysis of potential threats and the determination
critical control points – CCP. Each CCP establishes critical limits, monitoring methods and corrective actions. For the consumer, this means that the product is safe at every stage of the process – e.g., the use of a metal detector before packaging, control of the drying temperature, etc.

Some manufacturers are also implementing
ISO 9001 (quality management),
ISO 22000 (food safety),
BRC or
IFS.
Certificate
GMP is sometimes officially issued (e.g. in Poland by GIF), others have certificates from private organizations. As a result, there are supplements on the market that are manufactured to standards similar to pharmaceuticals, which significantly increases their credibility in the eyes of consumers.

Testing for safety and effectiveness

Each dietary supplement must undergo a series of quality tests before being approved for sale. Security tests focus on the absence of harmful contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides, pathogenic microorganisms, solvent residues). Stability tests they check how long the supplement maintains the declared content of ingredients. In the case of tablets/capsules, they check time of decay i dissolution, which affects bioavailability.

Testing effectiveness is not formally required (as in medicines), but reputable manufacturers often conduct them (e.g. clinical trials on a small sample) to confirm the declared effect. If the company wants to obtain new health claim in the EU, must submit scientific research results to EFSA. In practice, most of the claims available concern vitamins and minerals, because the procedures for plant extracts are difficult and expensive.

Certifications and quality standards (NSF, USP, ECOCERT, BIO)

Many companies decide to go voluntary Certifications. One of the most valued in the world is
NSF International, which offers a program
Dietary Supplement Certification (NSF/ANSI 173 standard)
[62†L1-L8].
Produkt z certyfikatem NSF jest niezależnie testowany pod kątem zawartości i zanieczyszczeń (metale ciężkie, pestycydy, mikroby, substancje zakazane). Dla sportowców istnieje
NSF Certified for Sport®, excluding doping substances
[62†L25-L31].
Inną prestiżową jest
USP Verified (US Pharmacopeia), where the identity of ingredients, tablet disintegration and GMP compliance are tested, among other things. Organic certificates are popular in Europe (ECOCERT, green leaf
EU organic) – confirming that the product meets the requirements of organic farming. More and more often, there are also markings Kosher, Halal, Vegan, Gluten Free and others aimed at specific consumer needs.

Market trends and innovations

New Directions in Supplementation: Probiotics, Nutraceuticals, Microbiome

In recent years, there has been a dynamic development of new categories of supplements and concepts of their use. One of the leading trends is the boom in
probiotics and products related to gut microbiome. A growing body of research confirms the key role of gut flora in health, from digestion to immunity to neurological function. The global market for probiotic supplements has been growing at double-digit rates, estimated to reach approximately $2022 billion in 18, with a CAGR of over 2030% by 14.
[29†L449-L457].
W odpowiedzi firmy poszerzają ofertę o wieloszczepowe probiotyki targeted, Synbiotics (probiotic + prebiotic) or the so-called
postbiotics.

Another direction is development
nutraceuticals – supplements with more advanced effects, often bordering on OTC drugs. Consumers are increasingly reaching for concentrated plant extracts and bioactive ingredients for specific health purposes (joints, cholesterol, sleep, stress). The so-called
nutricosmetics – “beauty” supplements – are growing in popularity along with the trend of taking care of beauty from the inside.

Supporting supplements are also becoming increasingly important.
mental health and cognitive functions (The so-called. nootropics), as well as the means sleep aids and coping with stress (melatonin, adaptogens such as ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea). A growing hit are gummies (vitamin jellies), shots (liquid portions) or other convenient forms. There are also experimental solutions such as 3D printing supplements and personalization based on blood or DNA tests.

The impact of biotechnology and personalization of supplementation

biotechnology plays a key role in the development of new ingredients (e.g. stable probiotic strains, digestive enzymes, fermentation production of vitamins and phytochemicals). Intensively studied
gut microbiome, which translates into new generation probiotics and postbiotics. Interest is growing
personalization supplementation – services such as “bespoke supplements” adjusted to the results of blood tests or genome analysis of the client. The consumer receives personalized sachets or leaves for daily use, which is in line with the broader trend health & wellness tailored to you. They support it AI i Big Data analysis, which can recommend ingredients based on a person's profile.

Biotechnology also allows us to reduce the costs of rare ingredients (e.g. resveratrol, lycopene) through production in fermenters, and also to create vegan forms of previously animal ingredients (e.g. egg whites produced by yeast). At the same time, consumers expect
clean label, which prompts manufacturers to eliminate unnecessary additives and dyes. Trend
pro-ecological is growing stronger, hence the growing popularity of BIO certification, raw materials from sustainable farming and environmentally friendly packaging.

Consumer Preferences and Growing Market Sectors

Today's supplement consumer is becoming more aware and demanding natural, clean, comfortable solutions. Products are gaining increasing popularity "Free from" (sugar-free, GMO-free, gluten-free, vegan). Convenience and pleasure of use translate into success vitamin jellies (gummies) or shots for quick consumption. In the segment vitamins and minerals Vitamin D (awareness of deficiency) and vitamin C (immunity) are still growing the most. Omega-3 maintain a high position. Probiotics – also intensive growth, including probiotic preparations for children or “women’s”. Collagen and “beauty from within” nutricosmetics are heating up the market, driven by social media.

segment sports/fitness (proteins, amino acids, creatine) is already mature, but is growing steadily with the fashion for being fit. The importance of seniors – supplements for memory, joints, eyesight. COVID-19 pandemic strengthened the trend of health prevention and immune supplementation (vitamin C, D, zinc, selenium), which continued even after the lockdowns ended. Developing markets (Southeast Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe) are recording the highest growth dynamics, while mature countries (USA, Western Europe) are developing steadily, focusing on innovation and personalization. E-commerce i social media played a key role in changing distribution channels, consumer education and marketing.

Figure 1. Global dietary supplements market by region (percentage share) and growth rate (CAGR). Sample chart based on data from [49].

Costs and economics of production

Production cost structure

The production of a dietary supplement involves various categories of costs:
raw Materials,
processing (production costs),
package,
quality control,
Research and Development (R&D) and
distribution and marketing. The share of individual components varies depending on the type of supplement and the scale of production.

- Raw material costs: often 20–50% of the cost of production. Synthetic vitamins are often cheap, while standardized plant extracts or probiotics are more expensive. Premium ingredients (patented formulas) can be several times more expensive than substitutes
[32†L37-L45].
- Processing costs: depreciation of machines, energy, personnel, cleaning. Economy of scale reduces unit costs in large batches.
- Packaging costs: bottles, blisters, cartons, leaflets – often 5–15% of the final price. They are influenced by the choice of material (glass vs. plastic, etc.).
- Quality control and compliance costs: laboratory tests, quality system (GMP, HACCP), certifications, registrations. They can be particularly high when selling in many markets (different requirements).
- R&D costs: development of new formulations, stability tests, consumer research. They can be big for innovative products.
- Margin, Marketing and Distribution: often a significant part of the final price, especially with intensive advertising campaigns and intermediary margins
[30†L33-L37].

Production volume (scale) is crucial for profitability. Large companies negotiate better prices for raw materials and use modern, high-performance lines. Smaller companies outsource contract manufacturing (CDMO), which can be cheaper than maintaining your own plant. The complexity of the formulation (many ingredients, exotic raw materials) also increases the cost. Maintaining quality (GMP, certificates) is a cost, but it protects the manufacturer from losses related to the withdrawal of defective batches and strengthens the brand image.

Supply chain optimization

The supply chain in the supplement industry includes sourcing raw materials (often from different regions of the world), transporting them to the plant, manufacturing, warehousing and distribution to end users. Manufacturers strive to diversify sources raw materials, negotiate long term contracts and implement planning automation (ERP/MRP systems) to avoid downtime and maintain reasonable inventory levels. Consolidation of deliveries and shipments, integration of logistics (e.g. central regional warehouses) or outsourcing (3PL) are typical cost reduction strategies.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains, for example, spikes in sea freight prices have affected the costs of raw materials (such as vitamin C from China). As a result, some companies have started to practice near shoring (searching for closer suppliers). It is also very important contract production (CDMO), where a specialized facility produces for multiple brands, achieving economies of scale.

The impact of regulations on production costs and prices

Legal regulations, although necessary for safety, generate additional costs for producers – in the form of the obligation to use GMP, HACCP, purity tests, labeling in accordance with regulations, product registration in some countries (China, Canada). Inter-jurisdictional differences they force personalization of labels and composition, which increases costs (compliance costs).

On the other hand, consistent and enforced regulations increase trust consumers to supplements, supporting market growth. Larger manufacturers can more easily cope with regulatory costs, while smaller manufacturers may find them a barrier to entry (less competition, possibly higher prices). Additionally, different tax rates (VAT, customs) or advertising regulations affect the final price in different countries. Despite these regulatory burdens, most companies consider them necessary and beneficial in the long term, because they provide security and reliability on the dietary supplements market.

Summary

Production of dietary supplements is a modern field at the interface of the food and pharmaceutical industries. It uses advanced technological processes (extractions, micronization, encapsulation), with a growing share Nanotechnology i biotechnology, to create products with increasingly higher bioavailability and stability. Raw materials come from all over the world – from traditional plant cultivation po chemical laboratories i fermentation. Strict legal requirements (in the EU, USA, Asia) determine safety and labeling standards, and GMP, HACCP and other quality systems guarantee the repeatability and purity of products.

The market is developing dynamically, driven by, among others, probiotics trend i microbiome, targeted nutraceuticals, as well as the growing interest personalization of supplementation. Production Economics depends largely on scale, raw material costs and regulations, which, while generating expenses, also increase consumer confidence. As a result, dietary supplements are becoming increasingly advanced, effective and safe health products, while remaining one of the fastest growing sectors of the food industry in the world.