Powders have been around since ancient times and are still one of the most common methods of delivery today. New production methods have been developed allowing powders to come in forms of instant drink mixes such as Tang or Gatorade, protein shake, candies and meal replacements.

The first step to creating a successful powder product is to determine its purpose. Will the finished product be a functional drink, protein shake, meal replacement, sports bar, fiber supplement or personal care product? After the purpose has been decided, the concept must be formulated.

The formulation process starts with sourcing the raw ingredients, which is arguably the most important step. Low-quality ingredients will create low-quality results, in terms of sales and product standard, so it is of upmost importance to analyze the raw ingredients. It is also necessary to purchase ingredients from a dependable source. Inconsistencies in sourced raw materials can lead to varied product quality levels.

There are many different ways to blend the powder for the specific end product form, including screening, granulation, milling, mixing and densification. It is also important to consider the materials' susceptibility to manufacturing conditions like temperature, which can negatively affect the active ingredients of a premix.

 The other top concern for this process pertains to the testing of the finalized product. The two major types of testing are physical and analytical and both must be utilized before a product can be released on the market. Third-party audits add extra assurance based on review of CoAs (certificate of analysis), GMPs (good manufacturing practices), material safety data sheets (MSDSs) and shelf live specifications in addition to the initial raw ingredient tests.

Inside the Powders Buyers Guidebook, you'll find: