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Formulation

Production

Also known as: Custom formulation, Product formulation, Formula development

The specific combination of ingredients, dosages, and form that makes up a supplement product.

What It Means

Formulation is the process of designing a supplement product: selecting active ingredients, determining dosages, choosing excipients, selecting dosage form, and ensuring ingredient compatibility and stability. Custom formulation involves developing a unique product for a brand, as opposed to using a stock/private-label formula. Formulation decisions impact efficacy claims, manufacturing feasibility, cost, and regulatory requirements.

What It Is Not

Formulation is NOT manufacturing. A formulator designs the recipe; a manufacturer produces it. Some companies do both; others specialize. 'Custom formulation' ranges from minor tweaks to stock formulas to genuinely novel product development. The term is used loosely.

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