Supplement Raw Materials
EU B2B Wholesale

Supplement raw materials (also: nutraceutical bulk actives) are high-purity active ingredients in their unmixed form – for example, creatine monohydrate ≥99.5%, taurine ≥99% or ascorbic acid ≥99%. They form the basis for manufacturing dietary supplements (capsules, tablets, powders, drinks). Unlike finished products, they are delivered without carriers, flavours, fillers or retail packaging. B2B buyers (supplement manufacturers, contract manufacturers, private-label brands) purchase raw materials in quantities from 1 kg to pallet for incorporation into their own formulations.

EU Directive 2002/46/EC (food supplements) and Reg. (EC) 1925/2006 (food fortification) establish positive lists for vitamins and minerals but do not set a universal minimum purity for all supplement actives. In practice: amino acids such as creatine and taurine are traded to EP (European Pharmacopoeia) or FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) specifications; vitamins such as ascorbic acid ≥99%; botanical extracts are standardised to defined marker compounds (e.g. ashwagandha ≥5% withanolides). FDCM supplies all raw materials with HPLC-verified purity stated in the CoA.

A complete CoA for supplement raw materials should include at minimum: (1) Identification: name, CAS number, lot number, manufacturing date, expiry date; (2) Content/purity: HPLC or titrimetric method with result in %; (3) Specific impurities: e.g. dicyandiamide and dihydrotriazine in creatine (≤100 ppm each), heavy metals (Pb, Cd, As, Hg by ICP-MS); (4) Microbiological: TPC, yeast/mould, Salmonella, E.coli; (5) Physical parameters: loss on drying, bulk density, particle size (for 200-mesh products). FDCM provides CoA with all these parameters as standard with every delivery.

Creatine monohydrate (≥99.5%, 200 mesh) is used in three typical application forms: (1) Powder blends: 3–5 g creatine per serving, mixed with dextrose, maltodextrin or proteins; 200 mesh particle size recommended for uniform blending and reduced caking. (2) Capsules/tablets: 500–1000 mg per capsule, 3–6 capsules/day; flow agent (magnesium stearate 0.5%) and disintegrant (croscarmellose) recommended. (3) Drink granules: 3–5 g in 200–400 mL water; solubility at 20°C approximately 14 g/L – warming to 35–40°C improves dissolution. ISSN 2021 position: 3–5 g/day supplementation is effective and long-term safe.

Taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonic acid, CAS 107-35-7) is a sulfur-containing amino acid synthesised in the human body but also ingested through diet. Main supplement applications: (1) Energy drinks: 400–1,000 mg/250 mL – the most common use; EU regulation permits taurine as a food ingredient (not a food additive); (2) Pre-workout formulas: 1,000–3,000 mg/serving – for muscle endurance and protection from oxidative stress; (3) Cardiovascular health supplements: 500–2,000 mg/day; (4) Sports drinks and electrolyte powders. EFSA 2009: intake of up to 4,000 mg taurine/day from energy drinks presents no safety risk for healthy adults.

Caffeine anhydrous (≥99.0%, CAS 58-08-2) is the highly concentrated, water-free crystalline powder. It differs from natural caffeine in coffee or tea only in purity grade and controllable dosing. In supplements, caffeine anhydrous is always used because: (1) Purity ≥99% enables precise dosing per serving; (2) No bound water – with caffeine monohydrate, the active substance would be 8.8% lower; (3) EFSA 2015 defines a safe single dose of 200 mg and a daily safety threshold of 400 mg for healthy adults. EU mandatory labelling: from 150 mg/L caffeine in beverages, 'high caffeine content – not recommended for children or pregnant women' must be stated.

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM, ≥99.9%, CAS 67-71-0) is an organic sulphur compound occurring naturally in small amounts in fruit, vegetables and grains. As a supplement raw material, MSM supplies bioorganic sulphur needed for collagen and glutathione synthesis. Main applications: (1) Joint health: 1,500–3,000 mg/day – multiple RCT studies show reduction in joint pain in osteoarthritis; (2) Sports recovery: 3,000 mg/day – reduction in DOMS markers (creatine kinase, IL-6) in training studies; (3) Skin and hair: collagen precursor; (4) Antioxidant support: increases GSH levels. No EU ADI – up to 4,600 mg/day in human studies without adverse effects.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, root extract, standardised to ≥5% withanolides) is a classified adaptogen from Ayurvedic tradition. Compared to other adaptogens: vs. Rhodiola rosea – ashwagandha has stronger anxiolytic (anxiety-reducing) and cortisol-lowering effects; Rhodiola has stronger stimulating and anti-fatigue properties. vs. Panax ginseng – similar stress reduction but ashwagandha is non-stimulating, so evening intake is possible. Clinical evidence: RCTs with 300–600 mg extract/day show cortisol reduction of 14–32%, improved PSQI (sleep quality), strength gains in resistance training. Not EU Novel Food – freely marketable as a food supplement.

FDCM offers the following amino acids for supplement B2B (all HPLC-verified, feed-verified prices): L-Glutamine (EUR 12.45/kg) – the most abundant amino acid in the human body; important for intestinal mucosa, immune system and muscle recovery; typically 5,000 mg/day. L-Arginine (EUR 5.90/kg) – nitric oxide (NO) precursor; pre-workout and cardiovascular health; typically 3,000–6,000 mg/day. L-Isoleucine (EUR 22.34/kg) – essential BCAA amino acid; part of leucine-isoleucine-valine blends; typically 1,000–2,000 mg/day. Taurine (EUR 5.06/kg) – energy drinks and pre-workout; typically 1,000–3,000 mg/serving.

Dietary supplements in the EU must carry the following labelling under Directive 2002/46/EC and Reg. 1169/2011 (food information regulation): (1) Designation 'food supplement'; (2) Ingredient list with quantities; (3) Recommended daily intake (with statement: do not exceed); (4) Warning: 'keep out of reach of children'; (5) Statement not to be used as a substitute for a balanced diet; (6) For caffeine ≥150 mg/L: specific caffeine warning; (7) Allergen information per Annex II of Reg. 1169/2011. Nutrition and health claims (Reg. 1924/2006) only permitted when listed in the EU authorised claims register.

Creatine monohydrate is relatively stable if stored dry. Optimal conditions: temperature 15–25°C (room temperature – refrigeration not necessary but not harmful); relative humidity ≤60% (critical – creatine is sensitive to moisture and converts to creatinine at high humidity); original sealed in moisture-proof packaging; avoid direct sunlight and UV radiation. Shelf life: 24–36 months from production date. Signs of quality deterioration: caking (moisture uptake – check CoA for creatinine content if caking occurs), yellowish discolouration. Important: reseal opened 25-kg bags immediately.

FDCM supplies all supplement raw materials from 1 kg with no minimum order value and no volume commitment. Pricing tiers: 1–4 kg (lab/R&D price), 5–24 kg (mid B2B), 25 kg standard bag (full B2B per-kg price), pallet quantity (volume discount, on request). Example: Creatine Monohydrate EUR 5.41/kg from 25 kg bag. All B2B enquiries answered within 4 business hours. Delivery EU-27 via DSV road transport, 1–7 business days.

Standard with every FDCM delivery: Certificate of Analysis (CoA) with purity (HPLC or titration), specific impurities, heavy metals (ICP-MS), microbiological data (TPC, yeast/mould, Salmonella, E.coli), loss on drying and lot number. Also included: Safety Data Sheet (SDS/MSDS) in English, allergen declaration, GMO status declaration, country of origin. On request: halal/kosher certificate, particle size distribution (PSD) verification, specific purity certifications for regulated markets (NSF, Informed Sport – not offered directly by FDCM; must be organised by the finished-product manufacturer).

Yes. Ascorbic acid (L-ascorbic acid, CAS 50-81-7) is listed in the EU positive list of Directive 2002/46/EC as a permitted vitamin source in food supplements. As a food additive, ascorbic acid has E-number E300. EFSA NDA Panel: Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Vitamin C: 2,000 mg/day for adults (EFSA, 2006). Purity requirements: EU Reg. 231/2012 for E300 requires ≥99.0% L-ascorbic acid. FDCM supplies ascorbic acid ≥99.5% (HPLC), FCC/EP-compliant, with CoA at EUR 4.74/kg.

Food grade and pharma grade differ in specification, not necessarily in chemical purity: Food grade: meets Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) or national food specifications; purity typically ≥95–99%; lower requirements for trace impurities; CoA to food standards. Pharma grade (Ph. Eur./EP or USP): meets the European or US Pharmacopoeia; stricter limits for individual impurities, heavy metals and solvent residues; full method references (EP/USP monographs) in CoA; required for medicinal products, not mandatory for food supplements. Food grade is sufficient for supplement raw materials; many manufacturers nevertheless prefer EP-compliant materials due to market requirements. FDCM supplies food-grade raw materials; EP compliance is stated in CoA where applicable.

Health claims for food supplements in the EU are strictly regulated by Reg. (EC) 1924/2006. Only claims from the EU authorised claims register are permitted. Permitted examples for common supplement raw materials: Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – 'contributes to the normal function of the immune system'; Creatine – NO authorised health claim for cognitive performance; 'Creatine increases physical performance in successive bursts of short-term, high-intensity exercise' is authorised when ≥3 g/day creatine is consumed. Not permitted: structure-function claims without EFSA authorisation (e.g. 'protects joints'), disease-related statements.

FDCM offers L-Isoleucine (EUR 22.34/kg, ≥98.5% HPLC, CAS 73-32-5) as an individual BCAA raw material. BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) comprise leucine, isoleucine and valine in the classic 2:1:1 ratio. L-Isoleucine is essential (must be obtained through diet) and plays a role in muscle protein synthesis and energy production during exercise. Typical dosage: 1,000–2,000 mg L-isoleucine per serving as part of a BCAA blend. All other FDCM amino acids (creatine, taurine, L-glutamine, L-arginine) are also suitable for supplement formulations and can be ordered in combination.

Inulin (EUR 7.50/kg) is a naturally occurring fructooligosaccharide (FOS) derived from chicory root. It is a prebiotic dietary fibre fermented in the large intestine by bifidobacteria. Supplement applications: (1) Gut health: 5–15 g/day as a prebiotic – EU-authorised health claim at ≥12 g/day ('contributes to normal bowel function'); (2) Prebiotic capsules and powders; (3) As fibre source in protein bars and meal replacement products (2.5–10 g/serving); (4) As natural sweetness modifier (30–50% sweetness of sucrose, 1.5–2 kcal/g); (5) Combined with ashwagandha, creatine or amino acids in synergy formulations.

FDCM offers Erythritol (EUR 4.56/kg, CAS 149-32-6, E968) as a calorie-free sugar substitute for supplement formulations. Erythritol is particularly suitable for: (1) Protein powders and shakes – 2–10 g/serving for volume and mouthfeel without calories; GI = 0 (no impact on blood glucose); (2) Caffeine-containing pre-workout powders – neutralises bitter caffeine taste; (3) Protein bars – as bulk sweetener with low caloric contribution; (4) Sugar-free gummy supplements. Technical note: slight cooling effect on dissolution (endothermic dissolving) – positive for some products (isotonic drinks), may require flavour masking in protein powders.

FDCM (FDCM E-Commerce S.A., Warsaw, VAT PL5214100463) positions itself as a B2B online wholesaler for supplement and food raw materials with the following features: (1) Minimum order from 1 kg – no minimum order value; ideal for small supplement manufacturers, contract manufacturers and private-label start-ups; (2) Feed-verified live prices on the website; (3) Full EU documentation (CoA, SDS, allergen, GMO) as standard with every delivery; (4) EU-27 delivery via DSV, 1–7 business days; (5) 4-hour B2B response time; (6) 20+ supplement raw materials in the portfolio. Not offered: contract manufacturing, direct-to-consumer (B2C) delivery, logistics services, NSF/Informed-Sport certification.