N°66 - Distributeurs /Dossier spécial Between knowledge and Considering the growing complexity of the ingredients sector, the requirement for perfect control of the supply sources, the demand for R&D and formulation services – which allow gaining in agility and exibility, the distributors have adapted themselves. Please nd below the portraits of a dozen of players - essential relays on these markets. It will help you gain insight into this industry that allies science with transparency and 060 knowledge of the regulation... C urrently, the profession of ingre-dient distributor for the nutra-ceutical industry no longermore important for non-European sup-pliers, for whom the regulation remainsdifficult to access. consists of simply purchasing and resel-Transparency and traceability: the cus- ling ingredients. It is a profession thattomer and the end consumer must know requires expertise and good knowledge the origin of the raw materials and their of one’s products. Hence, perfect controlmanufacturing conditions. As a result, the of the supply sources is essential. distributor’ scientific expertise increases: Indeed, the quality and regulatory fra-considering the increased market spe- mework for the ingredients sector has cialization and the many forms of avai- become more complex. Distributors have lable ingredients, the distributors must become not only mere service “providers”,be able to explain why a given ingredient but also players involved in the securityor extract is more effective than another; of the products they distribute, as well asthey must be able to explain the origin of technical and regulatory partners for theiringredients, their bioavailability, stability, customers. mode of action etc. Which means that the distributors must These questions are asked both by cor- know the technical data of the products porate clients and the end consumers: a they promise, as well as their conditions distributor’s role is therefoe to supportr of use and opportunities offered by this hispartners on all thes seides. highly-demanding environment. Because this is a keyfactor for their Distributors have become real relays and success and therefore, for the distribuos’tr even counsellors for their suppliers, adap- success, too. In fine, sucha appracin oh s ting the presentation of their products to beneficial for all the players inthe value regional constraints. This role is all the chain.■ ■ / Janvier - Février - Mars 2019 / N°66 / L’Actualité des Ingrédients Fonctionnels & Santé