POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y., May 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As the functional beverage market continues its rapid growth, Caraway Tea Company is drawing attention to a key issue facing brands and consumers: the widening gap between products marketed as “functional teas” and those manufactured under certified supplement standards.
The Difference Behind the Cup Matters
With increasing demand for teas containing adaptogens, vitamins, electrolytes, and botanical extracts, many products are entering the market positioned as wellness solutions. However, according to Caraway Tea Company, the manufacturing standards behind these products often vary significantly.
“There’s a fundamental difference between adding ingredients to a tea and manufacturing a product under supplement-grade conditions,” said Gina Caraway, CEO of Caraway Tea Company. “That distinction is not always visible to the consumer, but it matters for quality, consistency, and compliance.”
A Growing Disconnect in the Functional Tea Category
The term “functional tea” has become widely used across the industry, but it is not tied to a specific manufacturing standard. As a result, products labeled as functional may be produced in environments that do not meet dietary supplement requirements.
This can lead to:
Inconsistent dosing
Limited traceability
Absence of validated processes
Inability to support Supplement Facts labeling
As retailers and regulators begin to place greater emphasis on transparency and compliance, this gap is becoming more difficult for brands to overlook.
What Defines Supplement-Grade Manufacturing
Caraway Tea Company emphasizes that supplement-grade manufacturing is built on structured systems designed to ensure product integrity. These systems typically include:
Documented quality management procedures
Full ingredient traceability
Validated and repeatable production processes
Third-party audited certification programs
Caraway Tea Company operates under SQF Level 2 Code 31 (Dietary Supplements), a globally recognized standard that governs the manufacturing of supplement-based products.
Market Expectations Are Evolving
As the functional beverage category matures, expectations from consumers, retailers, and regulatory bodies are shifting. There is increasing scrutiny around how products are made—not just what they contain.
“Brands entering the functional space need to think beyond formulation,” Caraway added. “Manufacturing standards are becoming just as important as the ingredients themselves.”
Caraway Tea Company believes that companies that align product development with certified manufacturing systems will be better positioned to scale, maintain consistency, and meet evolving market expectations.
Supporting the Future of Functional Tea
Caraway Tea Company specializes in private label, co-packing, and the development of functional and supplement-infused teas. By combining traditional botanical knowledge with modern manufacturing systems, the company supports brands looking to create products that are both innovative and compliant.
Through its “Leaf-to-Lab™” approach and supplement-certified operations, Caraway Tea Company continues to focus on bridging the gap between concept and execution in the functional beverage space.
About Caraway Tea Company
Founded in 2010, Caraway Tea Company is a U.S.-based tea manufacturer specializing in private label production, co-packing, and functional tea development. The company operates under SQF Level 2 Code 31 certification for dietary supplements and is recognized for its ability to integrate active ingredients into tea formats while maintaining strict quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
Media Contact:
Michael Caraway
845-236-3645
[email protected]
SOURCE Caraway Tea Company
