Can your capsule shell affect organic status in Europe?

Published: 24-Aug-2026 Featured companies: ACG
Manufacturing Ingredients Regulatory

The EU has clarified that HPMC (E464) capsules are authorised for organic products and are not part of organic percentage calculations. Here's what this means for nutraceutical brands entering the EU market.

Can your capsule shell affect organic status in Europe?

The compliance challenge

Brands selling organic products in Europe often ask:

  1. Are the capsule shells considered in organic labelling?

  2. Will they affect calculation of organic ingredient percentage?

  3. Can we still market the product as organic?
     

What the EU says

Under Regulation (EU) 2021/1165:

  • HPMC (E464) is an authorised encapsulation material

  • It's fully approved for processed organic food products

The key clarification: HPMC capsule shells are not part of the organic fraction percentage.

What this means for nutraceutical CDMOs and brands

  • Peace of mind your organic claims are protected

  • Continued labelling compliance

  • Full European marketing confidence

ACG's HPMC capsules meet global regulatory standards, so you remain fully compliant. And they're now also cleaner, more versatile and fully customisable.

Explore the range here: https://www.acg-world.com/capsules/vegetarian

Featured companies

ACG is the world's largest provider of integrated manufacturing solutions for nutraceutical companies focused on oral solid dosage supplements
See more

You may also like

Manufacturing
ACG combines clean-label HPMC capsules with titanium dioxide-free opacity

ACG combines clean-label HPMC capsules with titanium dioxide-free opacity

Read more
ACG is combining its ACGcaps H+ HPMC capsule technology with its titanium dioxide-free TSafe opacifier to give nutraceutical manufacturers more options for clean-label capsule formulations

Trending Articles

  1. NOW testing finds potency issues in vitamin C gummies sold on Amazon Independent testing of vitamin C gummy supplements sold on Amazon found that almost half of the non-legacy brands tested failed to meet their label claims, highlighting formulation and analytical testing challenges
  2. Study finds CherryPURE tart cherry capsules support healthy uric acid levels A study, published in Plant Foods for Human Nutrition, compared the impact of tart cherry on two inflammatory markers (uric acid and high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein) and oxidative capacity
  3. Zeon Lifesciences registers US facility with FDA The Indian nutra manufacturer's site has also passed its clearance inspections, paving the way for the company to expand into the US supplement market
  4. The NAD⁺ liposome problem: supplement science vs marketing claims New analysis raises questions about quality, formulation, and verification of liposomal NAD⁺ products

Relevant companies

See more

Upcoming event

Vitafoods Asia

2–4 September 2026 | Exhibition | Bangkok See all

You may also like

Manufacturing
ACG combines clean-label HPMC capsules with titanium dioxide-free opacity

ACG combines clean-label HPMC capsules with titanium dioxide-free opacity

ACG is combining its ACGcaps H+ HPMC capsule technology with its titanium dioxide-free TSafe opacifier to give nutraceutical manufacturers more options for clean-label capsule formulations
Manufacturing
ACG Capsules and Vantage Nutrition to exhibit at the NBJ Summit 2026

ACG Capsules and Vantage Nutrition to exhibit at the NBJ Summit 2026

Driving the future of nutrition innovation
Manufacturing
Standards for nutra supplements are being rewritten – but not by regulators

Standards for nutra supplements are being rewritten – but not by regulators

From dietary preferences to cultural concerns, a new class of expectations is quietly becoming non-negotiable as consumers are becoming increasingly conscious and aware. And for formulators, the implications are significant
Manufacturing
Vantage Nutrition and ACG to showcase world's first certified clean-label vegan capsules system at Vitafoods Europe 2026

Vantage Nutrition and ACG to showcase world's first certified clean-label vegan capsules system at Vitafoods Europe 2026

The pair will present Vantage's fully integrated vegan capsule system at the tradeshow, alongside titanium dioxide-free opacity and plant-based colour and printing technologies
You need to be a subscriber to read this article.
Click here to find out more.
Manufacturing
What is clean label and why does it matter?

What is clean label and why does it matter?

Clean-label nutraceuticals are transforming capsules from simple delivery formats into transparent, sustainable symbols of trust — driving industry growth while challenging brands to innovate throughout formulation, sourcing and scale
Manufacturing
ACG to invest $200 million in U.S. hard-shell capsule manufacturing

ACG to invest $200 million in U.S. hard-shell capsule manufacturing

Dedicated facilities for gelatine and HPMC; 200+ jobs; operations targeted for early 2027; expands ACG’s 25-year U.S. presence
Ingredients
Exclusive: ACG welcomes EC decision on titanium dioxide in pharmaceuticals

Exclusive: ACG welcomes EC decision on titanium dioxide in pharmaceuticals

ACG, the world’s largest integrated supplier of pharmaceutical capsules and allied solutions, welcomes the European Commission’s recent announcement allowing the continued use of titanium dioxide in medicinal products
Subscribe now