Fresh globe artichokes (Cynara scolymus) with stems and leaves

Artichoke extract in bulk: powder and capsules for supplement brands

Short answer: GOA Supply sells artichoke as artichoke extract powder in 10, 50 or 100 kg and as ready-filled artichoke capsules in vegetarian HPMC capsules in 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 pieces, both also as private label. Both are made from globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus). The most important buying question is which plant part and which extract specification you get, because France's Compl'Alim database lists the flower head and the leaf separately and lists specific precautions for the leaf.

What is artichoke extract?

The globe artichoke (Cynara scolymus) is a thistle-like plant from the daisy family (Asteraceae). As a vegetable, people eat the young flower head. For food supplements, extracts are also made from the large leaves. Many botanical databases now classify the globe artichoke as a variety of the cardoon, Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus, so you may see either name on a specification.

An extract is made by extracting the dried plant material, concentrating the liquid and drying it into a powder. Compl'Alim lists cynarin as a characteristic substance of Cynara scolymus. Extracts can be sold as a ratio extract or with a stated content of a marker substance, so ask which of the two you are buying.

Artichoke in bulk: the forms at a glance

Form Specification (GOA data) Order quantities Typical business use
Artichoke extract powder Concentrated extract of Cynara scolymus; fine powder; vegan; extract specification on request 10 / 50 / 100 kg Raw material for capsules, tablets and powder blends; repacking in retail sizes
Artichoke capsules Artichoke (Cynara scolymus) in vegetarian HPMC capsules; vegan; no fillers, no artificial additives; HS code 210690 20,000 / 50,000 / 100,000 capsules Ready-filled capsules for supplement brands, webshops, pharmacies and health food stores

Smaller quantities than these tiers are possible on request. Larger tiers come with a volume discount, shown per product.

Extract powder or capsules?

The extract powder suits capsule fillers, tablet producers and brands that combine artichoke with other plant extracts in one formula. Webshops also repack it in retail sizes. The capsules suit brands that want a single-ingredient artichoke product without their own filling line. They contain no fillers and no artificial additives, are filled by a contract manufacturer in the Netherlands and are supplied in bulk for your own jars or pouches.

What to check when you buy artichoke extract wholesale

  • Plant part. Ask whether the material is made from the leaf, the flower head or both, and make sure the specification states it. This affects your label and the national rules that apply.
  • Extract specification. Ask for the drug-to-extract ratio or the marker content, and for the test method. Compare offers only on the same basis.
  • Carrier. Dry extracts sometimes contain a carrier such as maltodextrin. Ask for the full composition, because every component must appear in your ingredient list.
  • Taste and colour. Artichoke extract is often a brownish powder with a bitter taste. If you plan a powder blend or drink, test a sample in your recipe.
  • Allergens and contaminants. Artichoke belongs to the Asteraceae family. Ask for an allergen statement and results on heavy metals, pesticides and microbiology.

For the general documents, see our checklist for buying supplements in bulk. If you also buy milk thistle, another Asteraceae plant, read our milk thistle buying guide.

Artichoke regulations in the EU

The EU Novel Food Catalogue has no entry for Cynara scolymus. The globe artichoke has long been eaten as a vegetable in Europe. In France, the Compl'Alim database lists both the flower head and the leaf of Cynara scolymus as authorised in food supplements, without a fixed maximum. For the leaf, Compl'Alim adds precautions from ANSES and the European Medicines Agency, including advice against use by children under 12, during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and by people with a known allergy to Asteraceae plants. Take these into account when you write a label for the French market.

Claims are regulated separately. Under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 you may only use claims that are authorised in the EU register, under their conditions of use.

Private label artichoke

For private label we supply artichoke extract powder or filled capsules in bulk for your own packaging and label. As the brand owner, you arrange:

  • the label, with the mandatory food supplement information and any national precautions;
  • claims in line with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006;
  • notification where required: none in the Netherlands, FOODSUP in Belgium, Compl'Alim in France and a notification to the BVL in Germany.

More on our private label page.

Ordering artichoke in bulk

Prices exclude shipping, and we can arrange transport. Orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks, depending on stock. The specification and a certificate of analysis (CoA) are available on request. See the order options on our wholesale page or all plant extracts in bulk.

FAQ

Is artichoke extract a novel food?
The EU Novel Food Catalogue has no entry for Cynara scolymus, and France's Compl'Alim database lists the flower head and the leaf as authorised in food supplements.

Which part of the artichoke is your extract made from?
The plant part and the extract specification are on the product specification, available on request. Check them before you finalise your label.

Are Cynara scolymus and Cynara cardunculus the same?
Many botanical sources classify the globe artichoke as a variety of the cardoon (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus). Use the name on your specification consistently in your product file and on your label.

Do the artichoke capsules contain fillers?
No. They contain artichoke in vegetarian HPMC capsules, without fillers and without artificial additives.

What is the minimum order?
10 kg for the extract powder and 20,000 pieces for the capsules. Smaller quantities are possible on request.

Sources

Written by Florian Fermin, co-owner of GOA Supply.

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