Quality certifications for food supplements: what you should demand from your manufacturer

In the food supplement sector, certifications are not a bureaucratic formality: they are the difference between entering major distributors or being locked out of the market. We analyse the ones that truly matter in 2026.

GMP — Good Manufacturing Practices

This is the gold standard of supplement manufacturing. It guarantees that every batch is produced and controlled under uniform, documented conditions. Without GMP, no serious European distributor will open their doors to you. Demand that your manufacturer can present their current GMP certificate — not a statement of intent.

In the EU, GMP is regulated by Regulation (EC) No 852/2004. In Spain, AESAN supervises compliance in food supplement laboratories.

ISO 22000 — Food Safety Management

This international standard goes a step beyond GMP: it certifies that the manufacturer's food safety management system is capable of identifying and controlling all hazards. It is especially critical if your products contain allergens or if production takes place on shared lines.

HACCP — Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points

Mandatory by law in the EU for any food business. HACCP establishes controls at every stage of the process to ensure the final product is safe. A manufacturer without documented and audited HACCP is a legal risk for your brand.

Market- and Channel-Specific Certifications

Depending on your target audience, some certifications become mandatory or differentiating:

• Organic / Bio (European Green Leaf): Essential if you sell through eco channels or if your positioning is natural and sustainable.
• Halal: Opens the Muslim market in Spain and for export to North Africa and the Middle East.
• Kosher: Access to Jewish consumers and Anglo-Saxon markets, where it also serves as a synonym for quality.
• Vegan (V-Label or equivalent): No animal-derived ingredients. Increasingly demanded by European consumers.
• Gluten-Free / Allergen-Free: Specific certification and labelling for people with coeliac disease or allergies.
• ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay): Allergen trace analysis, especially relevant for sports products.

How to Verify Your Manufacturer's Certifications

Don't be satisfied with being told they have a certificate. Request:

• The original certificate document with its expiry date.
• The registration number of the certifying body (accredited by ENAC in Spain).
• The most recent internal and external audit reports.
• The technical data sheets for raw materials with their Certificates of Analysis (CoA).

Our Laboratory: Current Certifications

At Fabricantes de Complementos we operate under the strictest European quality controls. We hold GMP, Organic, Halal, Kosher and ELISA certifications — all current and auditable. Our facilities in Atarfe (Granada) are open for inspection and the traceability of every batch is 100% documented.