Question 1

What does capsule contract filling cost at Avoria GmbH?

Accepted Answer

The price depends on capsule type, fill material, order quantity and packaging format. Unit costs for powder-filled HPMC capsules at quantities from 100,000 units are typically in the range of 0.08 to 0.25 euros per capsule, excluding raw material supply. For a specific calculation, please send us your specification.

Question 2

What minimum order quantities apply to capsules?

Accepted Answer

Minimum order quantities start at 50,000 to 100,000 units depending on capsule format and fill material. Liquid oil fills and specialized coated pellet fills may require higher minimums due to line setup times. Test batches start at approx. 5,000 to 10,000 units.

Question 3

What distinguishes flavor capsules from supplement capsules in regulatory terms?

Accepted Answer

Supplement capsules are foods and are subject to the Food Supplements Regulation 2004, FIC (EU) 1169/2011 and the Health Claims Regulation (EC) 1924/2006. Flavor capsules for cigarette filter applications are tobacco accessories and are subject to the TPD 2014/40/EU. The regulatory requirements and documentation obligations are fundamentally different for the two categories.

Question 4

What is the difference between gelatin and HPMC capsules?

Accepted Answer

Gelatin capsules are the standard case - more cost-effective and established, but not vegan. HPMC capsules (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose) are plant-based, vegan-certifiable and tolerate a wider moisture range. For products with vegan labeling, HPMC is the standard choice - at a typical cost premium of 10-25% over gelatin.

Question 5

What does the BVL notification obligation mean for food supplement capsules?

Accepted Answer

In Germany, food supplements must be notified to the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL) before they are first placed on the market. The notification obligation rests with the party placing the product on the market - not with the contract manufacturer. Avoria GmbH supplies the product-related documentation for the BVL notification on request.

Question 6

When does a capsule count as a medicinal product rather than a food supplement?

Accepted Answer

The distinction depends on active ingredient, concentration, dosage form and product presentation. Avoria GmbH exclusively produces foods (food supplements) and non-food capsules - no medicinal products requiring authorization under the AMG. If a pharmacological effect could be attributed to a formulation, a regulatory classification by an authorization consultant is required before production starts.

Question 7

Which capsule sizes does Avoria GmbH process?

Accepted Answer

Avoria GmbH processes standard hard capsules in sizes 000, 00, 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 - in both gelatin and HPMC. Size 0 (approx. 680 mg fill volume at typical bulk density) is the most common choice for single- and multi-component supplement blends.

Capsule and supplement filling service – contract filling Germany