What a compound ingredient is
A compound ingredient is an ingredient that is itself made from more than one ingredient. On supplements, the common ones are:
- Capsule shells, such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) or bovine gelatin, sometimes with colours.
- Vitamin and mineral premixes bought ready-blended.
- Coated or encapsulated nutrients, such as vitamin D3 on a starch base or microencapsulated iron.
- Flavourings and sweetener blends in powders and gummies.
- Softgels, made of gelatin, glycerol and water.
The standard way to list them
List the compound ingredient by its name, in weight order according to its total weight, then put its own ingredients in brackets straight after. For example:
Ingredients: Magnesium citrate, Capsule shell (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose), Bulking agent (microcrystalline cellulose), Anti-caking agent (magnesium stearate).
The alternative is to drop the compound name and list each of its ingredients separately in the main list, in overall weight order. Brackets are usually clearer for supplements.
The 2% exemption is narrower than people think
In some cases you don’t have to break down a compound ingredient that makes up less than 2% of the finished product, such as a herb and spice mix. But there are limits:
- Any additive that still has a function in the finished product, such as a colour in a capsule shell, must still be declared.
- Allergens must always be declared, however small the amount.
- The exemption doesn’t apply to every type of compound ingredient, so check before relying on it.
In practice, most supplement brands list everything. It’s rarely worth the space saving.
Carriers and processing aids
Vitamins such as D3, K2, B12 and folic acid are tiny amounts, so they arrive diluted on a carrier like maltodextrin, starch or acacia gum. Carriers used only in the amount strictly needed, and processing aids with no function in the final product, may not need listing. This is a judgement call: ask your supplier for the full composition of each premix and take advice. Many brands list carriers anyway for transparency. If a carrier contains an allergen, such as wheat starch, it must be declared.
Additives inside compounds
Additives with a function are listed by their category name and then their specific name or E number, for example “Colour (titanium dioxide)” or “Anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide)”. Note that titanium dioxide (E171) is no longer permitted as a food additive in Northern Ireland or the EU, so check capsule colours if you sell there.
Allergens in compound ingredients
Emphasise allergens wherever they appear, including inside brackets: “Softgel shell (bovine gelatin, glycerol, water)” is fine, but “Fish oil concentrate (fish)” needs the emphasis. See allergens on supplement labels.
Get the specification from your supplier
You can’t list what you don’t know. Ask your manufacturer for a full breakdown of every premix, capsule and coating, including carriers and allergens. Keep it with your label sign-off. Our compliance check includes the ingredients list.
Not legal advice. This guide covers the general rules for food supplements sold in Great Britain. Check your own product with a regulatory adviser, your local Trading Standards team or your Primary Authority partner.