White glucosamine capsules in a grey bowl

Glucosamine in bulk: glucosamine capsules, sources and EU rules for private label

Short answer: GOA Supply sells glucosamine capsules in bulk, in batches of 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules, for wholesale and private label. The two questions that matter most are the source and the form: glucosamine is made from shellfish shells or by fermentation, and it comes as a sulphate or a hydrochloride. The source determines your allergen labelling, and the form determines how much glucosamine each capsule delivers. Both are available on request for our capsules.

What is glucosamine?

Glucosamine is an amino sugar. For food supplements it is commonly produced from the shells of shellfish (crustaceans) or by fermentation. It is supplied as a salt: glucosamine sulphate, including forms with potassium chloride (KCl) or sodium chloride (NaCl), or glucosamine hydrochloride (HCl).

Because the salt adds weight, 500 mg of glucosamine sulphate or glucosamine HCl does not equal 500 mg of glucosamine. That difference matters for your label, your price comparison and national maximum amounts that are expressed as glucosamine.

Glucosamine capsules in bulk: key facts

Item Glucosamine capsules at GOA Supply
Ingredient Glucosamine; form (sulphate or HCl) and source on request
Format Capsules; capsule type and fill weight on request
Order quantities 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules; smaller quantities on request
HS code 210690
Documentation Source and allergen information, specification and CoA on request
Typical buyers Supplement brands, webshops, pharmacies, drugstores and gyms selling glucosamine capsules under their own brand

Shellfish or fermentation: why the source matters

Source What it means for your product
Shellfish (crustacean shells) Crustaceans are one of the 14 allergen groups in Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, so the label must emphasise the allergen. The product is not suitable for a vegan or vegetarian claim.
Fermentation Glucosamine HCl and glucosamine sulphate (KCl and NaCl) produced by fermentation are listed as authorised novel foods in the Union list, with their own specifications. Ask the supplier which entry and specification the ingredient meets.

For our glucosamine capsules, the source and allergen information is available on request. Ask for it before you design the label.

What to check when you buy glucosamine wholesale

  • Source. Shellfish or fermentation, confirmed in writing on the specification or an allergen statement.
  • Form and salt. Glucosamine sulphate (with KCl or NaCl) or glucosamine HCl. Ask for the glucosamine content per capsule, not only the amount of the salt.
  • Capsule type and fill weight. These determine your ingredient list and how many capsules make up a daily dose.
  • Price per gram of glucosamine. Compare offers on the glucosamine content, since salt forms differ in weight.
  • CoA per batch. Assay, heavy metals and microbiology, with a batch number that matches the delivery.
  • Storage. Keep the capsules closed, cool and dry, and follow the shelf life on the specification.

EU rules for glucosamine

In the EU Novel Food Catalogue, glucosamine sulphate is listed as not novel in food supplements (entry POL-NF-00384). Glucosamine produced by fermentation is covered by separate entries in the Union list of authorised novel foods (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470), as glucosamine HCl, glucosamine sulphate KCl and glucosamine sulphate NaCl. For food supplements, the Union list allows their use in line with the normal food use of glucosamine from shellfish.

National rules differ, and France is a good example. The Compl'Alim ingredient database lists glucosamine hydrochloride and glucosamine sulphate as authorised, with a maximum of 1,118 mg of glucosamine per daily dose and several mandatory label warnings, including one for people with a food allergy to crustaceans or insects. Check these rules before you finalise a French label. Any claim must comply with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.

Private label glucosamine capsules

For private label, we deliver the glucosamine capsules in bulk for your own packaging and labelling. The capsules are filled by a contract manufacturer in the Netherlands. As the brand owner, you arrange the label, including allergen information and any national warnings, the claims and the notification: none in the Netherlands, FOODSUP in Belgium, Compl'Alim in France and the BVL in Germany. Our checklist for buying supplements in bulk covers allergen statements and other documents, and the private label page explains our service.

Ordering glucosamine capsules in bulk

  • Quantities: 20,000, 50,000 or 100,000 capsules; smaller quantities on request.
  • Prices: excluding VAT and shipping; we can arrange transport.
  • Shipping: usually within 1 to 2 weeks, depending on stock.
  • Documents: source and allergen information, specification and CoA on request.

See prices and tiers on the glucosamine capsules product page, browse all capsules in bulk or read how ordering works on our wholesale page.

FAQ

Is your glucosamine made from shellfish?
The source of our glucosamine is stated in the source and allergen information, which we send on request. Ask for it before you design your label.

Is glucosamine a novel food?
Glucosamine sulphate is listed as not novel in food supplements. Glucosamine produced by fermentation is listed in the Union list of authorised novel foods, with its own specifications. For any other form, check its status before you buy.

What is the difference between glucosamine sulphate and glucosamine HCl?
They are different salts of glucosamine. The salt affects the glucosamine content per milligram of ingredient, so compare products on their glucosamine content.

Is there a maximum amount of glucosamine per day?
Some countries set one. In France, Compl'Alim lists a maximum of 1,118 mg of glucosamine per daily dose, together with mandatory label warnings.

Do I need to mention crustaceans on the label?
If the glucosamine is derived from crustacean shells, yes: crustaceans are an allergen group in Annex II of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 and must be emphasised on the label.

Sources

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

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