When choosing the right supplier, quality and trust in product safety are paramount. Given the strict product safety regulations in Germany, a local producer would therefore probably provide the greatest peace of mind when buying NMN. But are there even NMN manufacturers in Germany?
Is NMN a supplement / dietary supplement?
The regulatory classification of NMN is also part of the product safety question. Is it even a dietary supplement?
The regulatory classification of NMN in the EU proves to be complex. Dietary supplements, which usually contain vitamins, minerals, or amino acids, are regulated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). A product is considered safe if it has been used in Europe for a long time or is on the EU-wide "Union List" for Novel Foods.
NMN, which has only been researched and produced for a few years, does not have a long history of use in Europe and is not listed on the Union List. Therefore, NMN cannot currently be officially sold as a dietary supplement in the EU and is often offered as a chemical for scientific purposes. However, its sale and use are not legally problematic as long as it is not presented as a dietary supplement or medicinal product.
How is NMN produced at all?
NMN is produced in specialized laboratories using various, sometimes technically very complex methods. Each process has its advantages and disadvantages in terms of efficiency, purity, and environmental compatibility.
Fermentation for NMN Production
Although NMN can be produced by fermentation, the process is complex and the yield is low. Therefore, NMN is usually produced by more efficient methods.
Chemical Synthesis
The chemical synthesis of NMN, while costly and labor-intensive, allows for high yields and precise control. However, some solvents used are ecologically questionable, which makes quality control particularly crucial.
Enzymatic Production
The enzymatic production of NMN is considered more environmentally friendly, but is as costly as the chemical method. It uses nicotinamide (vitamin B3) as a starting material, which is either naturally or synthetically derived, and converts it into NMN through enzymatic reaction.
Completion of the Production Process
After production, the NMN powder is isolated, purified, and tested for quality to ensure safety and purity.
Due to this complex production process, only a few companies are able to produce NMN themselves. Furthermore, production is often only worthwhile in comparatively large quantities, which is why there are currently only a few manufacturers worldwide. But are there any NMN producers from Germany among them?
Is NMN produced in Germany?
The majority of NMN production currently takes place in countries such as the USA, Japan, and China. The USA and Japan are leaders in biotechnological research and development, which has contributed to the discovery and further development of NMN. China, on the other hand, is a global leader in the production capacities of dietary supplements and pharmaceutical products, including NMN.
In Germany, however, the product's awareness is still comparatively low. This is also one reason why there are currently no NMN products manufactured directly in Germany. Buying NMN from German production is therefore difficult to impossible at the moment.
Illustration of a possible NMN production facility in a cleanroom
Are there NMN suppliers from Germany?
As soon as a company sells a product under its own brand, this company is considered a manufacturer in the EU (and thus also in Germany) - even if it did not produce the goods itself. Even importers and intermediaries can "quasi" be considered manufacturers. This company is then also liable for the products sold. The actual producer of the goods (who, for example, is located in a country outside the EU) is thus legally no longer relevant in the first step.
Therefore, NMN suppliers who offer their products for sale in Germany are not obliged to state who actually produced the goods. For customers, however, the question of the original producer can of course be very relevant. Who wants to take dietary supplements when you don't know where they actually come from?
NMN manufacturers in Germany
There are several companies that import the substance into Germany and sell it here - and thus act as manufacturers. To date, as already briefly mentioned, there are no significant producers of NMN directly in Germany.
With increasing awareness and demand for the product, however, it is not excluded that companies in Germany will set up their own NMN production in the future.
Finding the right supplier
The production of NMN outside Germany does not have to be a problem. Of more crucial importance is ensuring the quality of the products.
You can find out what exactly to look out for when buying in the article Buying NMN: What to consider?.
As our own supplier of Nicotinamide Mononucleotide, quality is our top priority, which is why we have all products tested by independent laboratories in Germany. More on this in our shop.
Quality control is crucial for safety
Are there NMN test winners?
Currently, there are no official test winners for NMN products on the German market. Independent, renowned test institutions in Germany have not yet carried out specific investigations on these comparatively new products.
Until then, it is particularly important to pay attention to certain criteria when buying, as mentioned above. With increasing popularity and availability of NMN products in Germany, more comprehensive tests can be expected. These will then show which NMN products are particularly recommendable in this country.
Conclusion on NMN from Germany
The production of NMN is complex and the molecule's awareness in Germany is still relatively low. This is why there are currently no real producers to be found in this country.
However, there are a number of companies that import and sell NMN and are based in Germany. To identify the trustworthy ones among these suppliers, one should primarily pay attention to quality assurance before buying.
Then, production abroad is not a problem either, and NMN can be bought with a clear conscience. This is also the case here in the shop.
