Buyer questions · Shelf life
What shelf life do private label supplements have?
Pharma Manufacture gives powder sachets 24 months as standard, shorter for some formulas; for tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets, liquids and drink cubes the shelf life is set per formula and printed with the batch number on the pack. The formula and the pack decide it together, which is why the same active can carry a different date in a blister, a tube or a bottle.
By pack
How long do supplements last? Shelf life by pack
| Pack | Shelf life | What protects the product |
|---|---|---|
| Powder sachet | 24 months as standard, shorter for some formulas | Aluminium foil layer in the laminate, a barrier against moisture, oxygen and light |
| Effervescent tube | Set per formula | Moisture-absorbing cap protects tablets from moisture |
| Blister and carton | Set per formula | PVC, PVC/PVDC or PVC/Aclar film; alu-alu for moisture- and light-sensitive formulas |
| Amber glass bottle | Set per formula | Amber glass shields drops and syrups from light |
| Drink cube | Set per product | Each cube sealed in its own blister until it is used |
Why the pack changes the shelf life
Moisture, oxygen and light are what shorten the life of most actives, and each pack stops a different share of them. In a sachet every serving meets the air once, when it is torn open, and the foil barrier is what makes the standard 24 months possible. A jar opened twice a day cannot offer that. Effervescent tablets react with moisture, so the tube and its desiccant cap are part of the product, not an option.
On blisters the film is the variable. Standard PVC is the base film; PVC/PVDC and PVC/Aclar raise the barrier; alu-alu gives the highest protection against moisture and light. If your formula is sensitive, name it in the brief and the pack is chosen around it.
Who sets the date printed on my pack?
A durability date is one of the mandatory particulars under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011, and the brand on the label answers for the label. At Pharma Manufacture the batch number and expiry date are printed on the blister and on the carton, which links each pack to its batch and its Certificate of Analysis. Samples of every batch are kept for the entire shelf life of the product, and for no less than three years.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about supplement shelf life
What is the shelf life of a powder sachet?
24 months as standard at Pharma Manufacture, and shorter for some formulas. The aluminium barrier in the laminate keeps moisture, oxygen and light away until the sachet is opened.
Which blister protects a sensitive formula best?
Alu-alu. Pharma Manufacture’s Uhlmann B 1240 blister line runs aluminium forming foil for alu-alu blisters, which give the highest protection against moisture and light, alongside PVC, PVC/PVDC and PVC/Aclar.
Is the expiry date printed on every pack?
Yes. Pharma Manufacture prints the batch number and the expiry date on the blister and on the carton, so each pack can be traced back to its production batch.
How long are batch records and samples kept?
Batch samples are kept for the product’s entire shelf life and at least three years. Manufacturing data is stored for 10 years, and records stay on file for at least a year after the batch’s expiry date.
Ask for the shelf life of your formula
Name the formula and the pack you have in mind. We tell you the shelf life for that combination and which pack would hold it longer.
Contact Pharma Manufacture about shelf life and packaging for your product.
REPLY WITHIN 24H · CONTACT US NOW: