| 1 | Botanical Identity and Traceability | Correct identification of Agaricus blazei, documented strain or cultivation source, batch coding, and full farm-to-factory traceability. | Taxonomic documentation, raw-material specifications, supplier approval records, and batch traceability drill. | 15% | Every commercial batch should be traceable to raw material, processing date, extraction lot, packaging lot, and certificate of analysis. |
| 2 | Active-Compound Standardization | A clearly defined specification for beta-glucans or another relevant marker, including the analytical basis and reporting units. | Validated enzymatic or chromatographic assay, method description, reference standard, and result expressed on a consistent dry-weight basis. | 14% | Avoid comparing products unless the assay method, calculation basis, moisture correction, and definition of “total beta-glucans” are equivalent. |
| 3 | Quality Management System | Documented procedures for purchasing, production, sanitation, deviations, complaints, change control, and product release. | Current certification or audit report covering a recognized food-safety or quality-management system. | 12% | The certificate scope should specifically include mushroom extracts or the relevant food-supplement manufacturing activity. |
| 4 | Contaminant and Microbiological Control | Routine control of heavy metals, pesticides, aflatoxins, residual solvents, pathogenic microorganisms, yeast, and mold. | Independent laboratory results using ICP-MS or equivalent for metals, validated microbiological methods, and solvent-specific testing where applicable. | 12% | Results should meet the legal limits of the destination market and be linked to the exact production lot. |
| 5 | Extraction Technology and Product Format | Transparent disclosure of hot-water, hydroethanolic, or other extraction process, carrier ingredients, excipients, and powder characteristics. | Technical data sheet, process flow chart, solvent statement, particle-size data, moisture specification, and stability information. | 10% | The process must match the intended application, such as capsules, tablets, beverages, or powdered blends. |
| 6 | Regulatory and Export Documentation | Complete documentation for import, customs, labeling, allergen status, non-GMO status where claimed, and destination-market compliance. | Specification sheet, certificate of analysis, safety data sheet where applicable, origin statement, allergen declaration, and regulatory questionnaire. | 10% | Claims must be reviewed against the rules of the importing country; food, supplement, and medicinal classifications differ by jurisdiction. |
| 7 | Batch Consistency and Stability | Consistent appearance, odor, moisture, marker content, microbial quality, and packaging performance across multiple lots. | At least three recent batch records, retain-sample policy, accelerated or real-time stability data, and out-of-specification procedure. | 9% | A supplier should demonstrate reproducibility rather than relying on a single favorable certificate of analysis. |
| 8 | Minimum Order Quantity and Lead Time | Clear commercial terms for samples, pilot orders, standard production quantities, replenishment, and emergency orders. | Written quotation showing MOQ, production lead time, sample policy, payment terms, Incoterms, and validity period. | 6% | Pilot quantities commonly differ from commercial quantities; obtain separate quotations for development and recurring supply. |
| 9 | Packaging, Storage, and Logistics | Moisture- and oxygen-appropriate packaging, pallet information, storage conditions, shelf-life statement, and export-ready labeling. | Packaging specification, transport qualification where applicable, lot and expiry format, warehouse controls, and shipping documents. | 6% | Packaging and transport conditions should protect the powder from humidity, heat, contamination, and extended transit exposure. |
| 10 | Technical Support and Commercial Reliability | Responsive communication, formulation support, complaint handling, supply continuity planning, and transparent notification of changes. | Service-level expectations, response-time records, corrective-action examples, business-continuity plan, and customer references where permitted. | 6% | Prefer suppliers that can support technical questions and provide advance notice of changes to source, process, specification, or packaging. |