Informed Manufacturer News
Supplement Brands Seek US Manufacturing Partners to Mitigate Tariff Uncertainty
10 October 2025
The global sports supplement sector is facing rising uncertainty due to recent and proposed US tariffs on imported goods, especially from regions like China, Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe. As a result, many non-US supplement brands are increasingly exploring strategies to manufacture within the United States in order to reduce exposure to import duties, stabilize costs, and maintain a competitive position.
In a recent report published by Precedence Research, the US makes up 25% of the global sports nutrition segment, and as such, it plays a pivotal role in the growth ambitions of many supplements brands. However, there is a broad concern over how tariffs will erode margins and negatively impact pricing strategies. A similar pattern is emerging with US-based brands. Many have historically relied on overseas manufacturing to keep production costs down, however, the unpredictable nature of trade policies has introduced a new set of variables that are forcing a strategic reassessment of their manufacturing options. For years, the primary driver was cost. Now, it's about risk management and supply chain resilience.
The Benefits of Production in the US
Brands that manufacture domestically in the US are seeking to mitigate against potential cost rises, particularly duties on finished goods. There are other benefits of manufacturing in the US as many consumers view products made in the US as having more credibility in terms of quality, safety, and ethical manufacturing, especially in high-touch categories like health supplements. The "Made in the USA" label can also be a powerful marketing tool, fostering consumer trust and confidence. US production ensures more predictable supply chains, with reduced lead times, less freight cost variability, and avoiding delays at customs.
The Challenges of Selecting a Manufacturing Partner
Selecting a contract manufacturer is one of the most consequential decisions a brand will make. When supplement brands enter a new market, they often face the daunting task of sourcing a contract manufacturer with limited visibility into critical details. Regulatory requirements vary by region, and information about a manufacturer’s compliance history, quality systems, and ingredient sourcing is not always readily available.
As a result, brands may struggle to compare partners objectively or verify that facilities consistently meet industry benchmarks. This information gap leaves companies vulnerable to hidden risks—such as adulterated ingredients, inconsistent product quality, or even regulatory non-compliance—that can jeopardize consumer trust and disrupt product launches.
How Informed Manufacturer Certification Simplifies the Choice
This is where Informed Manufacturer, an internationally recognized quality assurance program for Supplements Manufacturers, becomes a strong differentiator. It provides a robust audit of a manufacturer’s processes, ingredient handling, and quality systems, as well as screening at parts-per-billion levels of accuracy using robust swabbing and testing to minimise the risk of contamination.
The program will differentiate you from your competition, by showing that you operate to the highest standards, and have the systems in place to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent contamination. For brands, partnering with an Informed Manufacturer saves significant time and resources through streamlined due diligence. The certification acts as a pre-verified stamp of compliance.
A new exciting part of the program is that it rewards manufacturers based on the number of Informed certified products manufactured onsite.
Outlook
As trade policy remains highly uncertain, supplement brands from outside the US that want to expand in the American market are increasingly treating US manufacture as not just optional, but a strategic hedge. For sports supplement brands, the appeal of a predictable, transparent, and high-quality supply chain close to home is becoming a strategic imperative in navigating the complexities of the marketplace.
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