The answer is, yes. This applies whether you’re planning to sell supplements in a physical store or selling supplements online. When pondering "what license do you need to sell supplements," understand that this regulatory environment helps to ensure that dietary supplements are safe, properly labeled, and effective.
Regulations and Licensing
Virtually anyone with zero qualifications in nutrition can create their own protein powder or multivitamin pill. You can take a supplement to market with no registration documents, no safety license, and no third party analysis to verify the ingredients.
The FDA excludes "supplements" from any legal requirements. It’s why "spice" (synthetic marijuana) can be sold in gas stations.
My goal is to buy tablets in bulk and package them myself and ship under my branding. I know I could find a private label company and have them do the shipping, but doing things on my end is part of the differentiation I’m aiming to try out.
Does anyone want to share their experience dealing with suppliers? Were these suppliers based in North America or abroad? How did you find your suppliers?
Whether you are a business with 100 employees, or making tinctures in your kitchen and selling them at the local farmers’ market, legally you are a manufacturer and the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) apply to you.
Licenses and Market Insights
Selling vitamins and other types of supplements requires the appropriate licenses and permits, which can vary based on location and the specific nature of the products. In certain jurisdictions, herbal supplements might require a separate license.
The required licenses to sell supplements can include a general business license, manufacturing license, FDA registration, and possibly others depending on your location and the nature of your supplements.
The United States Food and Drug Administration or FDA regulates the sale of dietary supplements under the Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994.
You do not require any license to sell supplements online. Manufacturers and distributors do not need FDA approval to sell their dietary supplements.
How do you market a supplement brand?
- Provide product samples of your newly launched supplements along with existing ones.
- Offer attractive deals and discounts to your repeat customers or bulk buyers.
To avoid legal trouble in each county, make sure you meet all requirements set forth by the specific government entity.
There are numerous guidelines, product lines, and regulations. You must become an expert in the vitamins and supplements.
In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic drove up demand for health supplements. In the United States alone, there was a 44% increase in sales during the first wave of the pandemic.
Starting a Supplement Company
All it takes to start a supplement company is finding a manufacturer who has pre-made formulas that need your brand’s label slapped on them.
No matter which method you decide to use, you’ll need to obtain a business license. Most areas consider online storefronts mail order businesses requiring standard business registrations.
To sell food supplements you must register as a Food Business Operator (FBO) with your local authority.