Glossary
The words, in plain English.
What the terms in private label supplements and drinks mean, from MOQ to NRV.
Updated 21 October 2026
- Private label
- A product developed with you and supplied under your brand. Ask us about exclusivity for your product. The product is made by specialist producers; the brand on the pack is yours. See private label.
- White label
- A product that already exists, supplied with your label on it. Other brands can sell the same product under their own names. See private label vs white label.
- Contract manufacturing
- Making a product for another company to sell under its own brand. The brand owner sets the product and the label; the producer makes it to that brief. See contract manufacturing.
- Co-packer
- A producer that fills and packs products for other brands. In drinks it usually means the company that fills the cans.
- MOQ (minimum order quantity)
- The smallest number of units made in one run for you, set per product. Ours start at 300 jars of capsules, 100 kg per powder, 480 cans and 6,000 protein bars. See what moq means.
- Lead time
- The time from your approval to your products. Powders take 4 to 6 weeks; our ready drink is at your door 2.5 weeks after you approve the design. See how long it takes.
- Own run
- A production run made only for your product, as opposed to a product taken from existing stock.
- Mock-up
- A picture of your label on the real pack, so you see the product before anything is made.
- Dieline
- The flat template of a label or wrapper, with its exact size, cut lines and safe areas. The artwork is placed on it for printing.
- Sample
- A finished unit of the product you check before you place your order.
- WPC80
- Whey protein concentrate with about 80 per cent protein. A common base for whey protein powders. See protein powder.
- Whey isolate
- Whey protein filtered further than a concentrate, to a higher protein content with less fat and lactose. See protein powder.
- Clear whey
- Whey isolate made into a clear, juice-like drink when mixed with water, instead of a milky shake. See protein powder.
- Vegan protein
- Protein powder from plants, usually rice and pea protein blended together. See protein powder.
- Creatine monohydrate
- A common form of creatine sold as a supplement: a white, flavourless powder. See creatine.
- BCAA
- Branched-chain amino acids: leucine, isoleucine and valine, sold as a flavoured powder. See bcaa.
- Pre-workout
- A flavoured powder mixed with water and taken before training. Formulas vary; many contain caffeine. See pre-workout.
- Electrolytes
- Minerals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium, sold as drink powders or tablets. See electrolytes.
- Collagen peptides
- Collagen broken down into small pieces so it dissolves in water, sold as an unflavoured or flavoured powder. See collagen.
- Protein water
- A clear drink with protein in it, still or sparkling, usually in a can. Sparkling and flavoured, it is often sold as protein soda. See protein water.
- Food supplement
- The legal name in the EU and UK for concentrated sources of nutrients sold in doses, such as capsules, tablets or measured powders. The words must appear on the label.
- NRV
- Nutrient reference value: the reference amount of a vitamin or mineral per day. Labels show each one per daily dose as a percentage of the NRV.
- EAN barcode
- The barcode number retailers scan. The brand owner gets its own numbers through GS1, the barcode organisation in its country.
- Best before and batch number
- Printed on every pack: the date until which the product keeps its quality, and the code that traces it back to its production run.
- Ex works (EXW)
- A delivery term: the buyer collects the goods from the seller’s warehouse and arranges the freight from there.
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