Oscon Laboratory and Facilities
Our American Quality Standards
Oscon® capsules are produced in a world-class facility that has set the “gold standard” when it comes to making soft gelatin capsules. We deliver a quality product utilizing efficient equipment and manufacturing technologies on one of seven production lines. Four of the seven lines are isolated and have their own inspection rooms, which minimizes the possibility of cross-contamination. The encapsulation and inspection processes occur in temperature-controlled areas.
Precision Equipment
Millions of dollars have been invested in precision equipment, which enables us to consistently provide the finest product for our customers. State-of-the-art blending and encapsulation equipment is of the highest standard in technology and design. Each batch is manufactured according to current Good Manufacturing Practices and assayed to guarantee quality, potency, and purity.
Ecology Awareness
In an effort to “Think Globally, Act Locally,” the plant has recently incorporated a 260-kilowatt co-generation machine that generates electricity using natural gas. When power is generated, heat is produced and can be harnessed for other elements, such as heating water for the boiler. There are also two additional chiller units (45 and 75 tons, respectively) as part of the manufacturing capabilities. This ecology-friendly upgrade to the facilities, implemented in May 2005, supplies an uninterrupted source of power, independent of the California Power Grid. By providing 80% of needed power, we can be considered a reliable and environmentally-conscious supplier.
Good Manufacturing Practices-GMPs
In the United States, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued regulations called current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) as the minimum requirements that manufacturers take proactive steps to ensure that their products are safe, pure, and effective. GMP regulations require a quality approach to manufacturing, enabling companies to minimize or eliminate instances of contamination, mix-ups, and errors.
Our production facility maintains up-to-date, published, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) relating to all aspects of the manufacturing process. These procedures dictate all activity that can impact a product and produce an auditable paper trail. Oscon standards are based on FDA current GMPs for food. We exceed the legally-mandated minimum standards and we are prepared for proposed regulatory changes.
Research and Development
he Research and Development (R&D) department has an established reputation with formulating innovative encapsulation solutions for various raw materials in a soft gel delivery system. They assist in creating new formulations or help improve existing products. R&D is capable of conducting experimental encapsulation for specific purposes, such as clinical samples; size, shape, & color samples; scale up support; or new product formulation issues such as gel compatibility or fill parameter questions. Much success is attributed to the long-term experience and expertise of the staff, some of which have over 30 years of industry knowledge.
Third Party Certificates-NSF
Our manufacturing facility completed a successful facilities audit by NSF International and has achieved Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Registration through their Dietary Supplement Certification program. In addition, it was registered under NSF’s Athletic Banned Substances program, also known as GMP for Sport™.
Memberships
Our production facility maintains memberships in key industry organizations. These organizations support the ethical conduct of business, as well as providing representation to the federal government on legislative and regulatory issues.
- NPA
Natural Products Association
www.naturalproductsassoc.org - AHPA
American Herbal Products Association - ABC
American Botanical Council
www.herbalgram.org - DCAT
The Drug, Chemical and Allied Trade Association
www.dcat.org
Our plant has worked with the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) on the development and promulgation of the Marine Lipids Monograph. It also holds a seat on the NPA ComPLI committee which is responsible for GMP and TruLabel Programs.