
Mumbai and the wider Maharashtra region have long been at the heart of India’s pharmaceutical industry. Home to some of the country’s largest drug companies, a well-developed logistics network, and a sophisticated healthcare consumer base, Maharashtra is now emerging as a key hub for nutraceutical third-party manufacturing as well. Entrepreneurs, brands, and healthcare companies across the country are increasingly looking toward this region and toward India at large for high-quality contract manufacturing solutions that can support their product launches and scale their businesses.
Whether you are a start-up building your first nutraceutical brand, an established pharma company expanding into wellness products, or a distributor looking for white-label manufacturing, understanding what third-party nutraceutical manufacturing involves and what to demand from a manufacturing partner is essential before signing any agreement.
The global nutraceutical market is on a clear upward trajectory. According to the World Health Organisation [1], preventive healthcare and nutrition-based interventions are increasingly central to global health strategies, with governments and consumers alike shifting focus from treatment to prevention. In India, this shift has been particularly pronounced.
India’s nutraceutical market, encompassing dietary supplements, functional foods, fortified beverages, and wellness formulations, has grown rapidly, driven by rising health awareness, an ageing population, increasing disposable incomes, and the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on consumer health consciousness. A report by the Ministry of AYUSH [2] highlights that the integration of traditional wellness knowledge with modern nutraceutical science is one of the most promising developments in India’s healthcare landscape.
For businesses, this translates into an enormous commercial opportunity but only if the products they bring to market meet the quality, efficacy, and safety standards that today’s informed consumers expect.
Third-party nutraceutical manufacturing, also known as contract manufacturing, is a business arrangement where a company outsources the production of its products to a specialist manufacturer. The brand owner retains control over product design, formulation, branding, and marketing, while the manufacturing partner handles production, quality testing, packaging, and dispatch.
This model has become the preferred route for most nutraceutical brands in India because it eliminates the enormous capital investment required to build and certify your own manufacturing facility. Instead of spending years and crores on plant infrastructure, regulatory certifications, and quality systems, you can partner with the best nutraceutical manufacturer and bring your product to market in a fraction of the time.
A well-equipped nutraceutical contract manufacturer can produce an extensive range of product formats. When evaluating a manufacturing partner for your Mumbai or Maharashtra-based brand, look for expertise across the following categories:
Nutritional tablets and capsules remain among the most popular formats in the Indian market. These include multivitamins, mineral supplements, herbal extracts, probiotics, and combination formulations. GMP-compliant tablet and capsule manufacturing requires precise granulation, compression, and coating processes, all areas where an experienced contract manufacturer adds significant value.
Liquid nutraceuticals, including health tonics, immunity syrups, and nutritional drinks, are particularly popular for paediatric and elderly segments. Their manufacture requires specialist liquid processing lines with strict hygiene and stability protocols.
Protein powders, meal replacement sachets, electrolyte mixes, and health food powders represent a large and growing segment. Precision blending, moisture control, and appropriate packaging are critical quality parameters for this category.
One of the fastest-growing formats globally, nutraceutical gummies and chewables have seen a surge in demand in India, particularly for children’s vitamins, collagen supplements, and immunity boosters. Manufacturing these products requires specialist confectionery-grade production equipment and strict sugar and gelatin quality controls.
Among all nutraceutical dosage forms, softgel capsules occupy a unique and growing position. They are particularly suited to oil-soluble nutrients, Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin D3, Vitamin E, CoQ10, evening primrose oil, and similar formulations, because the soft gelatin shell provides superior bioavailability, stability, and patient acceptability compared to standard tablets or hard capsules.
A research review published in the Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology [3] confirmed that lipid-based nutraceutical formulations in softgel capsules demonstrate significantly enhanced absorption compared to conventional solid dosage forms. This makes choosing a provider of Best Softgel Third-Party Pharma Manufacturing Services a critical decision for brands operating in the Omega-3, fat-soluble vitamin, or speciality nutrition segments.
When evaluating softgel manufacturing capabilities, key parameters include encapsulation precision, fill accuracy, shell material quality (bovine or fish gelatin vs vegetarian HPMC options), sealing integrity, and stability testing under Indian climatic conditions.
In the nutraceutical space, quality is not a differentiator; it is a baseline requirement. Indian nutraceutical products are regulated under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) for food supplements and the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation) for drug-nutrient combination products. Manufacturing partners must demonstrate compliance with the relevant regulatory framework for your specific product category.
Non-negotiable quality markers to verify before selecting a manufacturing partner:
For brands and businesses across Mumbai, Maharashtra, and the rest of India seeking a reliable nutraceutical contract manufacturing partner, Zoic Biotech stands out for reasons that go well beyond a standard capability checklist. With over 25 years of industry experience, this Mohali-based company has built the kind of manufacturing depth, regulatory understanding, and partner-focused service model that nutraceutical businesses genuinely need to grow with confidence.
Here is why Zoic Biotech deserves serious consideration:
The nutraceutical sector rewards those who move decisively with the right partner, the right product range, and the quality infrastructure to back it up. Whether you need tablets, capsules, softgels, syrups, powders, or gummies manufactured to the highest standards, the quality of your manufacturing relationship will define the reputation of your brand.
Contact the best nutraceutical manufacturer in India, Zoic Biotech, today to discuss your product requirements, request a capabilities overview, or get a tailored manufacturing quote. With 25+ years of experience, GMP and GLP-compliant production, ISO-certified quality systems, and a DCGI-approved product portfolio, Zoic Biotech is built to help your nutraceutical business grow.
Mumbai and Maharashtra’s position within India’s pharmaceutical ecosystem makes the region a natural launchpad for nutraceutical brands with national ambitions. But the foundation of any successful nutraceutical business is the quality and reliability of the manufacturing partner behind it. From softgel capsules and nutritional tablets to syrups and health powders, the right contract manufacturer brings not just production capacity, but the regulatory credibility, quality systems, and operational consistency that brands need to build lasting consumer trust.
Choose your manufacturing partner carefully, validate their certifications thoroughly, and invest in a relationship built on transparency and shared standards. The nutraceutical opportunity in India is real and growing; your partner should be too.
To explore more, you can also check our group websites: Zoicayurveda for 3rd party Ayurvedic and herbal cosmetic manufacturing, Biozoc for allopathic and drug PCD franchise opportunities, and Zocveda for Ayurvedic and herbal PCD franchise solutions.
Nutraceutical third-party manufacturing is a business model where a brand owner outsources the production of their health supplement or wellness products to a specialist contract manufacturer. The brand retains ownership of the product design and marketing, while the manufacturer handles production, quality testing, and packaging. It is the preferred model for most nutraceutical companies in India because it eliminates large capital investments in plant infrastructure while ensuring access to GMP-certified production.
A credible nutraceutical contract manufacturer should hold GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and ISO certifications at a minimum. GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) certification is an important additional quality indicator. For pharmaceutical-grade nutraceuticals, DCGI approval on the product formulations is also essential. Always request documentary evidence of these certifications before finalising any manufacturing agreement.
Established contract manufacturers can produce a wide range of dosage forms, including tablets, hard and soft gelatin capsules (softgels), syrups, health tonics, sachets, protein powders, gummies, chewables, and effervescent tablets. The range of formats available varies by manufacturer, so it is important to confirm that your chosen partner has specific experience and validated production lines for your required dosage form.
Key evaluation criteria include the manufacturer’s years of experience, GMP and ISO certifications, DCGI product approvals, range of dosage forms offered, minimum order quantity requirements, quality testing infrastructure, and warehousing and logistics capabilities. Requesting a facility visit or a third-party audit report is strongly recommended before committing to a long-term contract manufacturing relationship.
Yes. In India, nutraceutical and dietary supplement products are primarily regulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) under the FSS (Health Supplements, Nutraceuticals, Food for Special Dietary Use, Food for Special Medical Purpose, Functional Food, and Novel Food) Regulations. Pharmaceutical products are regulated by the CDSCO under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Some combination products may fall under both regulatory frameworks. A knowledgeable manufacturing partner will guide you through the correct regulatory pathway for your specific product.
[1] World Health Organisation – Nutrition and Food Safety: WHO Global Action Plan on Physical Activity 2018–2030 and Preventive Nutrition Strategy. Available at: who.int
[2] Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India – Integration of Traditional Medicine and Nutraceutical Science: Annual Report 2022–23. Available at: ayush.gov.in
[3] Gullapalli RP – Soft Gelatin Capsules (Softgels): Enhanced Bioavailability of Lipophilic Nutraceuticals. Journal of Drug Delivery Science and Technology, 2021. Available at: sciencedirect.com
The content in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute medical or nutritional advice and should not replace guidance from a qualified healthcare professional, registered dietitian, or licensed physician. Nutraceutical and health supplement products should be used only under appropriate professional supervision. All manufacturing references are subject to applicable Indian regulatory standards under FSSAI, CDSCO, and relevant AYUSH guidelines.