BF-EssE - Our Story
BF-EssE began with a shortage rather than a big idea
When Latvia gained its independence in 1991, supply chain had fallen apart. Pharmacies were empty, hospitals lacked adequate equipment, and obtaining basic pharmaceuticals required requesting favors from people abroad.
We stepped in and sourced critical raw materials, APIs, and nutraceutical ingredients from Bulgaria, Poland, and Germany, frequently under impossible circumstances and with little notice.
These were high-stakes, tenacious years. They taught us how to deliver what people truly needed, meet new standards before they were even standardized, and navigate healthcare supply chains.
We stepped in and sourced critical raw materials, APIs, and nutraceutical ingredients from Bulgaria, Poland, and Germany, frequently under impossible circumstances and with little notice.
These were high-stakes, tenacious years. They taught us how to deliver what people truly needed, meet new standards before they were even standardized, and navigate healthcare supply chains.
After years of importing active ingredients, we decided to build our own identity through product creation
We started creating small-batch blends for pharmacy networks by combining natural products and herbal remedies with raw materials from reliable post-Soviet areas, such as Kazahstan, Latvia, and the Baltics.
We introduced Fitesten® , a functional botanical product that was initially registered as a medicinal paste, in 1995. It was effective, but it tasted terrible. In order to preserve its health benefits and increase its usability and shelf life, we converted it into a softgel capsule by the year 2000.
That was a crucial step because we were developing formulations rather than merely sourcing ingredients. Fitesten® was one of our first registered patents and is still in our portfolio today.
In 2011, Fitesten® (pine-needle extract) received the LIAA Export & Innovation Award for "Innovative Product," a significant accomplishment that confirmed our path in nutraceutical innovation.
We introduced Fitesten® , a functional botanical product that was initially registered as a medicinal paste, in 1995. It was effective, but it tasted terrible. In order to preserve its health benefits and increase its usability and shelf life, we converted it into a softgel capsule by the year 2000.
That was a crucial step because we were developing formulations rather than merely sourcing ingredients. Fitesten® was one of our first registered patents and is still in our portfolio today.
In 2011, Fitesten® (pine-needle extract) received the LIAA Export & Innovation Award for "Innovative Product," a significant accomplishment that confirmed our path in nutraceutical innovation.
Stop-Stress® & the Birth of a Brand
Instead of being developed in a lab, Stop-Stress® was developed in our minds based on a thorough understanding of what people truly needed in order to feel better, sleep better, and deal with everyday stress.
It started out as a carefully crafted formula based on real-world experience rather than following trends. After its initial introduction, Stop-Stress® rapidly expanded throughout Latvia, Ukraine, and Lithuania.
It was more than a supplement. It was evidence that thousands of people can be reached by simple, targeted nutraceutical formulas that are based on actual needs.
That attitude still exists today. We now offer more than 25 brand-formulated products, many of which are available in the Baltic region's top pharmacy chains, such as Euroaptieka, BENU, Mēness Aptieka, Līmedica, and the E.V.D. (Eurovastine), and many others.
Our standard has remained unchanged:
We don't sell it if it doesn't work.
We make improvements if they are possible.
It was more than a supplement. It was evidence that thousands of people can be reached by simple, targeted nutraceutical formulas that are based on actual needs.
That attitude still exists today. We now offer more than 25 brand-formulated products, many of which are available in the Baltic region's top pharmacy chains, such as Euroaptieka, BENU, Mēness Aptieka, Līmedica, and the E.V.D. (Eurovastine), and many others.
Our standard has remained unchanged:
We don't sell it if it doesn't work.
We make improvements if they are possible.
The Reason We Started Manufacturing
As demand for high-quality food supplements grew, we faced a choice.
Outsourcing meant relinquishing control over our product's manufacturing process, timeliness, and formulation quality. Our standards weren't met by that strategy.
In order to support both internal brands and contract manufacturing partners, we constructed our own food supplement manufacturing facility in Europe from the ground up.
Today, we are experts in a variety of dosage forms and delivery systems, such as:
Outsourcing meant relinquishing control over our product's manufacturing process, timeliness, and formulation quality. Our standards weren't met by that strategy.
In order to support both internal brands and contract manufacturing partners, we constructed our own food supplement manufacturing facility in Europe from the ground up.
Today, we are experts in a variety of dosage forms and delivery systems, such as:
Built in compliance with standards of Codex Alimentarius , BF-Esse currently runs a scalable,
HACCP-compliant,
ISO 22000,
ISO 9001 certified production site.
From the handling of raw materials to the final packaging, every step is auditable, traceable, and consistent.
We didn't provide contract manufacturing at all during the first years after opening our facility.
Our entire focus was on creating and perfecting our own food supplements—studying every aspect, honing every procedure, and becoming true experts in our own formulations first.
We only began offering CMO services once we were completely confident in our systems, quality, and operational stability.
HACCP-compliant,
ISO 22000,
ISO 9001 certified production site.
From the handling of raw materials to the final packaging, every step is auditable, traceable, and consistent.
We didn't provide contract manufacturing at all during the first years after opening our facility.
Our entire focus was on creating and perfecting our own food supplements—studying every aspect, honing every procedure, and becoming true experts in our own formulations first.
We only began offering CMO services once we were completely confident in our systems, quality, and operational stability.
Hard gelatin capsules and vegan HPMC capsules (including enteric and sustained-release options)
Sachets for powders, granules, or liquids
Powder packaging in jars and pouches with screw-top or sealed-lid closures
Blister packaging for capsules and tablets (PVC, Alu/Alu)
Liquid food supplements are filled into vials, shots, or bottles
Behind these formats is a full-service manufacturing model that includes
A pilot R&D lab for testing, prototyping, and stability batches
Custom formulation development for botanicals, adaptogens, and vitamins
Encapsulation services with tailored release profiles
Sachet and powder filling into branded or bulk formats
Blister and bulk packaging for pharmacies or retail chains
Labeling and packaging design support, including multi-language compliance
Regulatory documentation and market-entry consulting across EU food supplement regulations
BF‑Esse is officially registered with the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service as a licensed
food supplement manufacturing and repackaging facility.
And since January 2022, we’ve affirmed our commitment to transparency by becoming a member of the EU Transparency Register.
We didn’t build this just for ourselves.
We built it for health brands that need reliability, speed, and scientific precision—without sacrificing flexibility.
Sachets for powders, granules, or liquids
Powder packaging in jars and pouches with screw-top or sealed-lid closures
Blister packaging for capsules and tablets (PVC, Alu/Alu)
Liquid food supplements are filled into vials, shots, or bottles
Behind these formats is a full-service manufacturing model that includes
A pilot R&D lab for testing, prototyping, and stability batches
Custom formulation development for botanicals, adaptogens, and vitamins
Encapsulation services with tailored release profiles
Sachet and powder filling into branded or bulk formats
Blister and bulk packaging for pharmacies or retail chains
Labeling and packaging design support, including multi-language compliance
Regulatory documentation and market-entry consulting across EU food supplement regulations
BF‑Esse is officially registered with the Latvian Food and Veterinary Service as a licensed
food supplement manufacturing and repackaging facility.
And since January 2022, we’ve affirmed our commitment to transparency by becoming a member of the EU Transparency Register.
We didn’t build this just for ourselves.
We built it for health brands that need reliability, speed, and scientific precision—without sacrificing flexibility.
Contract Manufacturing with Real Experience
At BF‑EssE, we’re not just a factory. We’re a food supplement developer, a scientific collaborator, and a creative partner.
We understand that launching or scaling a health product takes more than just filling capsules it requires precision, compliance, and real-world formulation experience. That’s why our contract manufacturing services for food supplements include:
Concept refinement and custom supplement development tailored to your market and positioning
Formulation and reformulation of botanicals, adaptogens, vitamins, and bioactive compounds
Prototype batch production and encapsulation strategy, including vegan, enteric, or modified-release options
Regulatory positioning and EU-compliant labeling support (health claims, multi-language packs, documentation)
Packaging design and implementation from bulk packs to retail-ready jars, blisters, sachets, and film pouches
Whether you arrive with a rough ingredient list or a ready-made formula, we’ll help bring it to life — fast, clean, and ready for shelf or export.
We understand that launching or scaling a health product takes more than just filling capsules it requires precision, compliance, and real-world formulation experience. That’s why our contract manufacturing services for food supplements include:
Concept refinement and custom supplement development tailored to your market and positioning
Formulation and reformulation of botanicals, adaptogens, vitamins, and bioactive compounds
Prototype batch production and encapsulation strategy, including vegan, enteric, or modified-release options
Regulatory positioning and EU-compliant labeling support (health claims, multi-language packs, documentation)
Packaging design and implementation from bulk packs to retail-ready jars, blisters, sachets, and film pouches
Whether you arrive with a rough ingredient list or a ready-made formula, we’ll help bring it to life — fast, clean, and ready for shelf or export.
20+ Patents. 30+ Years. Always in the Lab
At BF‑EssE, innovation isn’t an add-on it’s our foundation.
For over 30 years, we’ve invested in scientific development, clean formulation technologies, and new ingredient systems. We take food supplement innovation seriously because results matter.
For over 30 years, we’ve invested in scientific development, clean formulation technologies, and new ingredient systems. We take food supplement innovation seriously because results matter.
Our record includes:
Over 20 registered patents, covering everything from encapsulated stress-relief complexes to advanced phytochemical extraction techniques
Participation in multiple EU- and Latvia-funded bioeconomy programs, resulting in:
Sapropel-based bioactives with trace mineral content
Chlorophyll–carotene complexes with enhanced antioxidant profiles
Biologically active livestock supplements for sustainable agriculture
Beyond product innovation, we’ve built long-term partnerships with R&D labs, biotech universities, and circular economy research platforms bridging science and manufacturing with real-world application.
We’re not chasing trends.
We’re building long-term solutions backed by data, protected by patents, and designed to scale.
Over 20 registered patents, covering everything from encapsulated stress-relief complexes to advanced phytochemical extraction techniques
Participation in multiple EU- and Latvia-funded bioeconomy programs, resulting in:
Sapropel-based bioactives with trace mineral content
Chlorophyll–carotene complexes with enhanced antioxidant profiles
Biologically active livestock supplements for sustainable agriculture
Beyond product innovation, we’ve built long-term partnerships with R&D labs, biotech universities, and circular economy research platforms bridging science and manufacturing with real-world application.
We’re not chasing trends.
We’re building long-term solutions backed by data, protected by patents, and designed to scale.
Who We Work With
We collaborate with a variety of customers in the food supplement sector, such as:
Startups entering the European market with their first line of supplements
Wellness companies seeking to expand using dependable, EU-based production
Pharmacy chains and clinics creating private-label or customized goods
R&D teams and researchers in need of professional formulation or encapsulation assistance
Because we've been on both sides of the table, we're adaptable, open, and knowledgeable.
Wellness companies seeking to expand using dependable, EU-based production
Pharmacy chains and clinics creating private-label or customized goods
R&D teams and researchers in need of professional formulation or encapsulation assistance
Because we've been on both sides of the table, we're adaptable, open, and knowledgeable.
“Five years from now, our current standards will feel like the bare minimum. That’s how we grow.”
At BF‑Esse, our work is guided by three core principles:
1.Science and simplicity belong together; effective doesn’t have to mean complicated.
2.Trust comes from clarity, not overcomplication.
3.No product goes to shelf unless it’s tested, functional, and truly ready for use.
This philosophy keeps us accountable to our partners, to our users, and to the science behind every capsule.
2.Trust comes from clarity, not overcomplication.
3.No product goes to shelf unless it’s tested, functional, and truly ready for use.
This philosophy keeps us accountable to our partners, to our users, and to the science behind every capsule.