Guarana powder – guarana in bulk, wholesale and private label

Guarana powder wholesale: caffeine, EU labelling rules and private label

Short answer: guarana powder is made from the seeds of guarana (Paullinia cupana), a climbing plant, dried and ground into a fine, light brown powder. GOA Supply supplies it in bulk in 10, 50 and 100 kg for drink and food producers, supplement brands and private label. Guarana seeds naturally contain caffeine, so the caffeine content of the batch and the EU caffeine labelling rules are the first things to check.

What is guarana powder?

Guarana is a climbing plant whose fruits contain dark seeds. For guarana powder, the seeds are dried and ground. Our guarana powder is described on the product page as ground guarana seeds: a fine, light brown powder. It is not described as an extract, so the caffeine it contains is the caffeine that occurs naturally in the seed. The exact content is stated on the specification, which is available on request.

Guarana powder at GOA Supply: key facts

Item Product data
Product Guarana powder, bulk
Ingredient Ground guarana seeds (Paullinia cupana)
Form Fine, light brown powder
Caffeine Naturally present; content on the specification (on request)
Characteristics Vegan
Order quantities 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request
Typical business use Drinks, bars and snacks, powder blends, capsule filling, repacking by webshops

Guarana powder is part of our natural powders in bulk.

What to check when you buy guarana powder in bulk

  • Ground seed or extract. Guarana is traded both as ground seed and as extract standardised to a caffeine percentage. The two differ in caffeine content and in how you name them on your label. Check which one the specification describes.
  • Caffeine content per batch. You need this figure to calculate the caffeine per portion or per 100 ml of your product, and to decide which caffeine statements apply.
  • Test in your recipe. Test the powder in your drink, bar or blend at the dose you plan, for taste, colour and mixing.
  • Documents. Ask for the specification and a certificate of analysis (CoA) that covers caffeine, microbiology and pesticide residues under Regulation (EC) No 396/2005.
  • Storage. Keep the powder closed, cool and dry, and use older batches first.

EU rules for guarana

  • Novel food status: the EU Novel Food Catalogue lists the fruits and seeds of Paullinia cupana as not novel in food.
  • Caffeine in drinks: under Annex III of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, beverages that contain more than 150 mg/l caffeine, from whatever source, must carry the statement "High caffeine content. Not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women", followed by the caffeine content in mg per 100 ml. Caffeine from guarana counts towards that limit.
  • Caffeine in other foods: foods other than beverages to which caffeine is added for a physiological purpose must carry "Contains caffeine. Not recommended for children or pregnant women", with the content in mg per 100 g or 100 ml. For food supplements, the caffeine content is stated per recommended daily portion.
  • France: Compl'Alim lists the seed and fruit of Paullinia cupana as authorised for food supplements, with recommended label warnings based on an ANSES opinion. Check them before you declare a guarana supplement in France.

Health claims are only allowed if they are authorised under Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. Descriptions of origin, taste and use are fine on your label.

Private label guarana

For private label, we supply guarana powder in bulk for your own packaging and labelling, or as a raw material for your own drinks, bars, blends or capsules. As the brand owner, you are responsible for the caffeine statements, the label, any claims and, for food supplements, the national notifications: no notification in the Netherlands, a notification in Belgium (FPS Public Health) and Germany (BVL) and a declaration via Compl'Alim in France. Our guide to starting a private label supplement brand in the EU covers those steps, and our private label page explains how we work. If you also sell tea-based drinks, our yerba mate guide covers another naturally caffeinated ingredient.

Ordering guarana powder in bulk

  • Standard quantities: 10, 50 or 100 kg; smaller quantities on request.
  • Orders are usually shipped within 1–2 weeks, depending on stock.
  • Prices exclude VAT and shipping, and we can arrange transport.
  • Specification, including the caffeine content, and CoA on request.

FAQ

Is your guarana powder an extract?
No. Our product page describes it as ground guarana seeds. The caffeine content is stated on the specification, available on request.

Is guarana a novel food?
No. The EU Novel Food Catalogue lists the fruits and seeds of Paullinia cupana as not novel in food.

Does a drink with guarana need a caffeine statement?
Yes, if the drink contains more than 150 mg/l caffeine from any source, including guarana. The label must then carry the "high caffeine content" statement and the caffeine content per 100 ml.

How is caffeine stated on a guarana food supplement?
For food supplements, Annex III of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 requires the caffeine content to be expressed per recommended daily portion.

Sources

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

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