Frequently Asked Questions
CONTRACT MANUFACTURING
How long has Pacific Nutritional Inc. been serving the dietary supplement and natural products industries as a contract manufacturer?
Since 1980, Pacific Nutritional Inc. has provided superior custom contract manufacturing to the dietary supplement industry. Our proven track record and top industry certifications assure our clients of high quality and exemplary service as we partner with them for their success.
What is a primary reason to use a contract manufacturer like Pacific Nutritional Inc.?
One reason many clients use contract manufacturers is that they provide fixed inventory cost/price for a wholesale/distribution/marketing company. Contract manufacturers absorb all variable costs related to material sampling, formulation overages, production loss, and laboratory tests for stability and quality assurance.
Specifically, our clients use PNI because we offer development services designed to give our clients unparalleled responsiveness and flexibility combined with complete assurance on quality and delivery.
Do you offer comprehensive manufacturing services (i.e., formulation, sourcing, blending, processing, tableting, encapsulation, bottling, labeling)?
Pacific Nutritional Inc. offers comprehensive, turn-key, full-service manufacturing, including product development. Occasionally, we outsource special packaging requirements, due to cost/time factors.
Does Pacific Nutritional Inc assist your clients with product testing?
PNI’s In-House Quality Control Lab provides Microbiological Screening, Physical Test Services, and Finished Product Assays. We also can assist our clients establish a shelf-stability program.
Are you NPA cGMP-Certified? What does that mean?
Yes, we are proud to be Natural Products Association (NPA) cGMP (current good manufacturing practices) Certified. The NPA established its certification program in order to set and maintain high standards for the industry. This assures healthcare professionals, custom manufacturers, retailers, and the public that our manufacturing processes have been thoroughly inspected by a third party auditor. The NPA is the nation’s largest and oldest non-profit organization representing the natural products industry.
The certification program requires us to open every part of our facility for a comprehensive inspection; every section of Pacific Nutritional, Inc. involved in manufacturing, packaging, testing, and distribution of dietary supplements must comply with their standards. This includes personnel, plant and grounds, sanitation, equipment, quality operations, production and process controls, as well as the warehouse, distribution, and post-distribution practices. Auditors must have expertise in food or pharmaceutical cGMPs and are specially trained to conduct the NPA audits. Typically, they are long-time veterans of either the industry or the FDA. Because we attained the “A” rating for compliance, we were eligible to apply for full cGMP certification, which we were awarded. For over 30 years, Pacific Nutritional has made consistent quality and superior customer service our priority. This cGMP Certification is further endorsement of our quality, facility, and practices.
Click here to learn view The Natural Product Association’s website where they further explain their certification process.
Are PNI’s processes Kosher Certified and Halal Certified?
Yes. Our quality-control process meets stringent standards—every step in production meets the requirements for Kosher and Halal Certification.
How can PNI have short lead times yet maintain such high quality?
We constantly look for ways to streamline our process. For example, unlike many other companies we quarantine, test and inventory significant quantities of a wide range of raw materials so they’ll be ready for immediate use. Our full-service in-house quality control lab and our expertise in formulating also serve to shorten lead times.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
I want to develop a product. How do I get started?
After making some basic decisions about your product, either call us directly at 360-253-3197 or complete our online Quote Request Form with your contact information. A Pacific Nutritional Sales Executive will call you and then walk you through product development. The details are spelled out for you, step by step, in Product Development.
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS
Does PNI accept international orders?
Yes, we welcome international orders. Our Sales Department can provide you with export assistance, including finding a freight forwarder, product registration, import/export documentation support as needed.
SHIPPING POLICIES
What are PNI’s shipping policies?
Shipping methods vary with packaging and order size. Methods include UPS, Federal Express and LTL Motor Freight.
How long does manufacturing and shipping usually take?
Manufacturing and shipping times vary, depending on a wide range of factors including ingredients used, necessary testing, type of product, packaging choices and so forth. Standard lead times are between 4 and 8 weeks. Your Sales Executive will be able to give you more specific information at the time your quote is issued, after reviewing your specifications.
