TGB Supply Connect is a private, curated introduction service. We connect GMP-certified nutraceutical producers, African fresh produce exporters, and botanical extract suppliers across Africa, Asia Pacific, and the Americas with verified buyers in North America, Europe, the Gulf, and Asia — confidentially, professionally, and with full compliance.
Built to the highest compliance standards in private supply, botanical oil, and agricultural brokerage — incorporating sanctions screening across 36 jurisdictions, PEP verification, documentation-first producer compliance, and date-stamped introduction records. Our compliance framework scores above Faire, Datarade, and Axial combined.
No cost to apply. Our fee is earned only upon a successful introduction. No upfront charges, no membership fees, no subscription. We take a finder's fee — paid by the agreed party — only when a signed agreement is executed between introduced parties.
A simple, confidential four-step process designed to protect both parties at every stage.
We work with both sides of the supply chain — connecting exceptional producers to qualified buyers who need what they make.
GMP or WHO-GMP certified manufacturers of nutraceuticals, functional foods, botanical extracts, and halal-certified supplements — plus verified African fresh produce exporters and agricultural commodity traders.
Health brands, supplement distributors, wellness retailers, fresh produce importers, food manufacturers, and agricultural commodity buyers actively sourcing from African and Asian producers.
TGB Supply Connect was built for this moment. The global demand for botanical ingredients, nutraceuticals, and premium fresh produce from Africa and Asia is accelerating faster than any public marketplace can serve. Private, verified, NDA-gated introductions are the only way to access the best producers before they are discovered by the crowd.
Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Togo, and Côte d'Ivoire have all banned or restricted raw shea nut exports in the past two years. Global cosmetic brands and nutraceutical manufacturers who sourced from West Africa are now urgently seeking alternative supply. Uganda produces nilotica shea butter — a technically superior variety with higher olein content, softer texture, and better skin absorption than West African paradoxa shea. Uganda has no export ban. New fractionation technology was implemented in December 2024. Nilotica currently represents only 1% of global shea butter exports — not because demand is low, but because almost no trusted private broker connects Ugandan producers to global buyers. TGB Supply Connect is that bridge.
West African countries including Nigeria and Burkina Faso are restricting raw material exports to force local processing. East Africa — Uganda, Tanzania, and Ethiopia — produce sesame and castor with no export bans and growing processing capacity. Japan, the world's largest sesame importer, is actively diversifying to East African sources. EU pharmaceutical and cosmetic buyers seeking certified clean-origin castor oil are turning to Ethiopia, the continent's largest castor producer.
Marula oil — Kenya and Tanzania's answer to argan oil, with higher oleic acid content and longer shelf life. UK luxury skincare and French cosmetic houses are your buyers. Zero West African competition — marula does not grow in West Africa. Baobab oil — EU novel food approved. European imports of natural oils including baobab reached €1.39 billion in 2024, up 7.75% year on year. L'Oréal, The Body Shop, and Unilever all use baobab in premium product lines. Moringa oil — the only vegetable oil that never goes rancid. Commands 3–5x the price of moringa powder per kilogram. Used by French perfumers as a fixative and by luxury skincare brands globally.
The East Africa to Gulf, Europe, and North America supply corridor is the fastest-growing agricultural trade route in the world right now — and it is almost entirely unserved by private, curated, NDA-gated brokerage. Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana hold botanical and nutraceutical raw materials that US, UK, UAE, German, and Dutch buyers are actively seeking but cannot verify through public directories. TGB Supply Connect is the private bridge. The producers who apply now establish the relationships before the corridor becomes crowded.
Sources: Africa Agriculture Trade Monitor 2025 · Afreximbank Non-Commodity Export Report 2024 · Mordor Intelligence Moringa Ingredients Market 2025 · Custom Market Insights Moringa Products 2025 · Dataintelo Botanicals Market 2025 · Uganda Export Promotion Board 2025–2026 · South Africa NAMC Agricultural Trade Report 2024 · AgriFocus Africa Horticultural Exports 2024
Applications are reviewed within 48 hours. Upon approval, a confidential engagement letter outlining our fee structure will be sent for your review and signature.
D1 — Introducer only. TGB Supply Connect, a division of The Growth Bridge Group LLC, acts solely as a commercial introducer. We do not receive, handle, store, ship, test, certify, or transmit any actual goods, samples, or product data at any stage. We are not a manufacturer, distributor, importer, exporter, customs broker, or freight agent. All supply, customs, regulatory, and compliance obligations rest entirely and exclusively with the producer and the buyer.
D2 — No refund policy. Finder fees are non-refundable once an introduction has been made. An introduction is deemed complete at the point our introductory communication is sent to both parties. No refund, partial refund, credit, or fee reduction is available after introduction under any circumstances — including subsequent deal collapse, regulatory intervention, product failure, or force majeure. This policy is final and non-negotiable.
D3 — No results guarantee. The Growth Bridge Group LLC and its divisions make no guarantee, representation, or warranty that any introduction will result in a completed agreement, ongoing relationship, or any specific commercial outcome. Results depend entirely on the introduced parties. Individual outcomes vary.
D4 — No endorsement. An introduction by The Growth Bridge Group LLC does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, approval, or warranty of any party, product, dataset, service, or transaction. All due diligence remains the sole responsibility of each party.
D5 — Limitation of liability. To the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, The Growth Bridge Group LLC's total liability to any party arising from any introduction shall not exceed the finder fee earned for that specific introduction. The Growth Bridge Group LLC shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, or punitive damages including but not limited to loss of profit, product liability claims, data breach losses, regulatory penalties, or damages arising from the acts or omissions of introduced parties.
D6 — Producer indemnity. Every producer introduced through TGB Supply Connect indemnifies and holds harmless The Growth Bridge Group LLC and TGB Supply Connect against any claims, losses, regulatory penalties, or legal costs arising from: product defects, contamination, mislabelling, or adverse reactions; false or misleading certification or compliance declarations; regulatory non-compliance in any jurisdiction; any unsubstantiated health claim made about the product.
D7 — Product liability non-endorsement. TGB Supply Connect does not test, inspect, certify, endorse, or warrant any product introduced through its platform. All product quality, certification, safety, efficacy, and regulatory compliance statements are the producer's sole responsibility. Buyers are solely responsible for conducting their own due diligence including independent product testing, regulatory approval verification, and import compliance assessment before completing any purchase.
D8 — FDA, MHRA, and TGA regulatory compliance. TGB Supply Connect does not verify regulatory approval of products for any market. Producers with outstanding FDA warning letters, MHRA enforcement actions, or TGA compliance failures are prohibited from the network. Buyers importing into the USA must comply with FDA requirements. Buyers importing into Australia must independently comply with TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) requirements. Buyers importing into the UK must comply with MHRA requirements. TGB Supply Connect makes no representation as to any product's regulatory approval status in any market.
D9 — Halal certification. Where producers hold halal certifications (JAKIM, BPJPH, or equivalent), TGB Supply Connect does not independently verify the current validity, scope, or market applicability of any such certification. Buyers importing into markets requiring halal certification are solely responsible for confirming certification validity with the relevant authority prior to import. TGB Supply Connect makes no representation as to the halal status of any product in any specific market.
D9b — Fresh produce and agricultural commodity compliance. Fresh produce exporters introduced through TGB Supply Connect must hold applicable food safety certifications for their target market including GlobalGAP (required for EU buyers), USDA phytosanitary compliance (required for US buyers), and UAE ESMA food import requirements (Gulf buyers). TGB Supply Connect does not act as a customs broker, phytosanitary inspector, or cold chain logistics provider. All food safety certification, import permit, phytosanitary compliance, and cold chain logistics obligations rest entirely and exclusively with the exporting producer and the importing buyer. Perishable goods introductions require both parties to confirm established cold chain logistics capability in their intake application. Seasonal availability and harvest timing are the sole responsibility of the producer to communicate to the buyer directly.
D10 — CITES and restricted botanical ingredients. TGB Supply Connect does not facilitate the introduction of products containing materials from species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), including protected plant-derived botanical extracts in nutraceutical formulations. Producers confirm their products contain no CITES-protected materials. Buyers are responsible for verifying CITES compliance for any goods imported into their jurisdiction.
D11 — EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). The EU Deforestation Regulation (Regulation EU 2023/1115) requires operators placing certain commodities on the EU market — including cocoa, coffee, palm oil, soya, wood, rubber, and derived products — to conduct due diligence confirming they are not associated with deforestation. TGB Supply Connect is a commercial introducer only and does not place commodities on the EU market. EU-based buyers importing regulated commodities are solely responsible for all EUDR due diligence obligations prior to import.
D12 — Export controls — EAR and ITAR. TGB Supply Connect does not facilitate the introduction of goods, technology, or biological materials subject to US Export Administration Regulations (EAR) or International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Parties are solely responsible for confirming their products fall outside these regulatory regimes prior to engaging TGB Supply Connect.
D13 — Customs and import brokerage exclusion. TGB Supply Connect does not act as a customs broker, freight forwarder, or import agent. All customs clearance, import duties, tariff classifications, and trade compliance obligations — including GCC G-Mark certification for Gulf state imports and EU customs requirements — are the sole responsibility of the importing buyer.
D14 — Modern slavery and forced labour. All producers and makers must confirm their production process does not involve forced labour, child labour, or any form of modern slavery as required by the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018. The Growth Bridge Group LLC does not facilitate introductions with producers or makers who cannot provide this confirmation.
D25 — Anti-bribery and anti-corruption. All fees charged by The Growth Bridge Group LLC and its divisions are legitimate commercial finder fees disclosed in writing to both parties before any introduction is made. No payment constitutes a bribe, kickback, or improper inducement under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), the UK Bribery Act 2010, or any other applicable anti-corruption law. The Growth Bridge Group LLC does not pay or receive improper payments to secure introductions.
D26 — International sanctions compliance. The Growth Bridge Group LLC and its divisions do not provide services to individuals or entities located in, incorporated in, or beneficially owned by persons in jurisdictions subject to comprehensive international sanctions. Blocked jurisdictions include: Russia, Belarus, North Korea, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Myanmar, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Libya, Zimbabwe, Venezuela, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Mali, Haiti, Nicaragua, China (PRC), Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Yemen, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, Laos, Cambodia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ecuador, and Panama. Circumvention attempts through VPN, proxy, shell companies, or nominees will be reported to OFAC, UK OFSI, and Europol.
D27 — Politically Exposed Person (PEP) screening. In accordance with EU Anti-Money Laundering Regulation 2024/1624 and FATF Recommendations 12 and 22, The Growth Bridge Group LLC conducts PEP screening on all approved applicants. A PEP is any person currently or recently holding a prominent public function including government officials, military officials, state enterprise executives, and their immediate family members and known associates. PEP status requires Enhanced Due Diligence including a source of funds declaration before any introduction is made.
D28 — Beneficial ownership disclosure. All applicants must disclose the beneficial owners (individuals owning 25%+ or exercising significant control) of their organisation. Beneficial owners located in any sanctioned jurisdiction will result in automatic application decline regardless of where the company is registered. In accordance with the US Corporate Transparency Act (CTA), US-based entities must have filed their Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) report with FinCEN where required. False beneficial ownership declarations are a criminal offence in most jurisdictions.
D29 — Anti-money laundering (AML). The Growth Bridge Group LLC complies with all applicable AML laws including the US Bank Secrecy Act, EU Anti-Money Laundering Directives, and UK Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. We reserve the right to report any suspicious activity to relevant financial intelligence authorities including FinCEN (US), NCA (UK), or Europol without prior notice to the parties involved.
D30 — Influencer and referral disclosure (FTC compliant). Any individual or organisation publicly promoting The Growth Bridge Group LLC or any division in exchange for any form of compensation must disclose that commercial relationship clearly and prominently in accordance with FTC 16 CFR Part 255. Required disclosure language: '#CommercialPartner' and 'I have a commercial relationship with [TGB Division Name].' FTC fines up to $51,744 per violation apply for non-compliant influencer marketing. Any referral partner must sign our Referral Partner Agreement before making any public mention of any Growth Bridge division.
D31 — Solicitor and cold-caller prohibition. The following are prohibited from all Growth Bridge networks: sales solicitors, telemarketers, lead generation agencies, cold-calling companies, legal solicitors or firms seeking to recruit clients from the network, investigators or journalists seeking to identify members without consent. Any application found to originate from a prohibited category will be declined, the IP permanently blocked, and the interaction logged.
D32 — Fake review prohibition (FTC Consumer Reviews Rule 2024). The Growth Bridge Group LLC does not solicit, purchase, create, or publish fake reviews, AI-generated testimonials, or paid endorsements without clear disclosure. All testimonials displayed on our platforms relate to actual completed introductions from verified network members. Violations of the FTC Consumer Reviews and Testimonials Rule carry fines up to $51,744 per incident.
D33 — AI synthetic identity and fraud detection. The Growth Bridge Group LLC uses multi-layer fraud detection to identify AI-generated, synthetic, or fraudulent identities — including company registration cross-checking against national registrars, institutional email domain verification, website domain age checking (via WHOIS), and AI-powered pattern detection in our chatbot system. In accordance with FinCEN guidance on AI-generated identity fraud (2024), submission of false, AI-generated, or synthetic identity documents constitutes fraud and will be reported to FinCEN (US), Action Fraud (UK), and Europol.
D34 — Continuous monitoring. The Growth Bridge Group LLC conducts ongoing sanctions and compliance screening of all active network members — not only at the point of application. Active members are rescreened quarterly against current OFAC, EU, UN, and UK OFSI lists. Members found to have been newly designated on any sanctions list, or found to have provided inaccurate information at application, will be immediately removed from all Growth Bridge networks and any pending introductions suspended.
D35 — Business email compromise (BEC) and payment fraud warning. Business Email Compromise is one of the most prevalent forms of B2B financial fraud. The Growth Bridge Group LLC protects against this with: (a) DMARC, DKIM, and SPF email authentication on all three division domains preventing impersonation; (b) payment details stated once in Engagement Letters and never changed by email instruction alone; (c) two-factor authentication on all accounts; (d) out-of-band payment verification for fees exceeding USD $5,000. If you receive any communication requesting payment to different details than those in your Engagement Letter — treat it as fraudulent and contact compliance@thegrowthbridgegroup.com immediately.
D36 — Visitor data and GDPR. This website collects contact information submitted through our application form. This information is used solely to review your application and communicate regarding potential network membership. We do not sell or share your submitted data with any third party before a mutual NDA is executed. EU and UK visitors have rights of access, correction, and deletion of submitted data by contacting compliance@thegrowthbridgegroup.com. A full Privacy Policy is available on request.
D37 — Email communications (CAN-SPAM, CASL, PECR). By submitting an application you consent to receive communications from The Growth Bridge Group LLC and the relevant division relating to your application and potential introduction opportunities. You may unsubscribe at any time by replying to any email with the word UNSUBSCRIBE. We comply with US CAN-SPAM Act, Canada CASL, and UK PECR.
D38 — Cookie notice. This website uses essential cookies only to operate correctly. By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of essential cookies. We do not use advertising, tracking, retargeting, or third-party analytics cookies. A full cookie policy is available on request from compliance@thegrowthbridgegroup.com
D39 — Accessibility statement (ADA / WCAG 2.1). The Growth Bridge Group LLC is committed to making our websites accessible to all users in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1). If you experience any difficulty accessing any part of this site, please contact us and we will assist you promptly.
D40 — Force majeure. The Growth Bridge Group LLC and its divisions shall not be liable for failure to facilitate any introduction arising from circumstances beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to acts of God, war, armed conflict, pandemic, government action, new sanctions designations, regulatory intervention, natural disasters, or other force majeure events. Notice of a force majeure event will be given within 5 business days of its occurrence.
D41 — Class action waiver. By engaging with The Growth Bridge Group LLC or any of its divisions, all parties expressly waive any right to bring or participate in any class action, collective action, or representative proceeding against The Growth Bridge Group LLC. All disputes must be brought on an individual basis only through binding arbitration as described below.
D42 — Severability. If any provision of these terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable by a court or arbitrator of competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be replaced by a valid provision that most closely achieves the original commercial intent of the parties.
D29 — Tail clause and circumvention prevention — 24 months. If parties introduced by TGB Supply Connect enter into any commercial supply agreement within 24 months of the date of introduction — regardless of whether TGB Supply Connect was involved in closing that agreement — the finder fee as set out in the Engagement Letter remains due and payable in full. This clause survives termination. Circumvention is a breach of contract actionable in Wyoming arbitration under AAA Commercial Rules.
D30 — Circumvention — burden of proof reversal. Where TGB Supply Connect has made an introduction between a producer and a buyer and a commercial supply agreement is subsequently executed between those parties — whether within or outside the 24-month tail period — the finder fee set out in the Engagement Letter shall be presumed to be payable unless the disputing party provides contemporaneous documentary evidence, reasonably acceptable to TGB Supply Connect, demonstrating that the supply relationship originated independently of and prior to TGB Supply Connect's introduction. The burden of proving that a commercial transaction did not originate through TGB Supply Connect rests entirely and exclusively with the party disputing the fee. Failure to provide such evidence within 14 days of a written fee demand shall constitute acceptance that the fee is due and payable in full. D31 — Documentation-first compliance — producers. TGB Supply Connect requires producers to submit actual compliance documentation — not declarations alone — before any NDA is issued. Required documentation includes: (a) a copy or verifiable link to your current GMP, WHO-GMP, ISO, or equivalent certification; (b) your current product liability insurance certificate naming the coverage amount; (c) for halal-certified products, your current JAKIM, BPJPH, or equivalent halal certification number and expiry date; (d) for products destined for EU buyers, confirmation of EUDR due diligence status for any regulated commodity ingredients. Applications from producers unable to provide this documentation will be declined at intake. D32 — Date-stamped consent and introduction record. Following best practice established by leading wholesale platforms, every introduction made by TGB Supply Connect is documented with: (a) the date the introduction email was sent to both parties — this date constitutes the official introduction date for all tail clause and fee dispute purposes; (b) the names and email addresses of both parties at the point of introduction; (c) the subject matter of the introduction as described in the approved intake application. This record is maintained in TGB Supply Connect's Airtable compliance dashboard and is available to either party upon written request in connection with a genuine fee dispute. The introduction date in TGB Supply Connect's records is conclusive unless a party can provide contemporaneous documentary evidence to the contrary within 14 days of a written request. D33 — Investigation fee for circumvention. In the event TGB Supply Connect reasonably suspects a member has circumvented a finder fee and undertakes an investigation to determine whether a supply agreement was executed in connection with an introduction, TGB Supply Connect reserves the right to charge an investigation fee of USD $500 to cover the reasonable costs of such investigation. This investigation fee is payable regardless of the outcome of the investigation where the member is found to have failed to provide timely and complete documentation requested during the investigation. This provision is adopted from standard practice in private deal networks. D44 — Phytosanitary certificate requirement — fresh produce. All fresh produce exporters introduced through TGB Supply Connect must hold a valid phytosanitary certificate issued by their national plant protection authority prior to each shipment. For EU buyers: certificates must comply with EU Regulation 2016/2031 on protective measures against plant pests. For UK buyers: certificates must comply with APHA requirements as documented in UK government guidance for African exporters. For USA buyers: USDA APHIS phytosanitary clearance is required per applicable import permit conditions. TGB Supply Connect is not a phytosanitary inspection authority. All phytosanitary certification obligations rest entirely with the exporting producer. Buyers must confirm phytosanitary import requirements with their national authority before any supply agreement is executed. D45 — Pesticide residue and Maximum Residue Level (MRL) compliance. The EU RASFF recorded almost 600 notifications for fresh fruit and vegetables in 2024, with approximately 85% related to pesticide residues — excessive chlorpyrifos residues being a major documented concern. TGB Supply Connect does not test, inspect, or certify produce for pesticide residue compliance. Producers must confirm that their produce complies with MRL regulations in the buyer's target market including EU Regulation EC 396/2005, UK Pesticides (Maximum Residue Levels) Regulations 2008, USDA/FDA pesticide residue tolerances, and UAE ESMA food safety standards. Buyers are solely responsible for commissioning independent residue testing before completing any supply agreement. D46 — GlobalGAP and FSMA food safety certification — fresh produce. GlobalGAP IFA certification is required by major European, North American, and international retailers as a condition of purchase for fresh produce. For US market access: FSMA Produce Safety Rule compliance is required — revised agricultural water requirements effective July 2024 are enforced from April 2025. For Canada: CanadaGAP certification is required by major Canadian retailers. GlobalGAP certification costs USD $800 to $3,500 per site. TGB Supply Connect does not verify GlobalGAP certification status beyond intake declarations. Buyers must confirm required certification standards with their retail partners before executing any supply agreement. D47 — Cold chain and perishable goods logistics disclaimer. TGB Supply Connect introduces fresh produce exporters to buyers but does not participate in, arrange, supervise, or guarantee any cold chain logistics, temperature-controlled storage, refrigerated transport, or perishable goods handling at any stage. All cold chain integrity, pre-cooling, packaging, refrigerated container booking, port handling, and customs clearance obligations rest entirely with the exporting producer and the importing buyer. Losses arising from cold chain failure, delayed customs clearance, spoilage in transit, or port rejection are not the liability of TGB Supply Connect under any circumstances. Buyers and producers must execute a direct supply agreement specifying cold chain responsibilities, temperature specifications, rejection criteria, and risk allocation before the first shipment. D48 — Botanical and herbal ingredient regulatory compliance. Botanical extracts and herbal ingredients may be subject to regulatory pre-market notification, approval, or registration requirements in the buyer's target market. In the USA: novel botanical ingredients may require a New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) notification to FDA under 21 CFR 190.6. In the EU: botanicals may be subject to EFSA safety assessments and Member State national provisions. In the UK: the Food Standards Agency maintains a permitted botanicals list. In the UAE: ESMA and Dubai Municipality regulate food supplement imports. TGB Supply Connect does not verify regulatory approval status of any botanical ingredient in any market. Buyers are solely responsible for confirming regulatory status before executing any supply agreement. D49 — RASFF food safety alert monitoring. The EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) issues border rejection and alert notifications for consignments failing food safety standards — almost 600 alerts for fresh produce in 2024 alone. A current RASFF alert against a producer's country or product category is grounds for TGB Supply Connect to suspend an introduction pending clarification. EU buyers are strongly advised to monitor RASFF notifications at ec.europa.eu/food/safety/rasff before and after executing any supply agreement. TGB Supply Connect monitors RASFF on a best-efforts basis only and does not guarantee detection of all relevant alerts. D50 — Cold chain liability exclusion. Fresh produce and perishable botanical ingredients require unbroken cold chain logistics from harvest to delivery. TGB Supply Connect does not arrange, manage, supervise, insure, or accept any responsibility for cold chain logistics at any stage. Both the producing exporter and the importing buyer are solely responsible for confirming cold chain capability, arranging refrigerated transport, and managing all temperature-controlled handling independently. Loss of produce value arising from cold chain failure is not grounds for any claim against TGB Supply Connect. D51 — Seasonal availability and harvest timing. Fresh produce supply is subject to seasonal availability, weather events, crop disease, and harvest timing variables. TGB Supply Connect makes no representation as to the availability, volume, or timing of any produce introduction. Producers are solely responsible for communicating current availability, minimum order volumes, harvest windows, and lead times directly to buyers during negotiation. Failure of supply due to seasonal or crop factors is not grounds for any claim against TGB Supply Connect. D52 — Botanical extract regulatory classification. Certain botanical extracts may be classified as novel foods under EU Novel Food Regulation 2015/2283, as supplements subject to FDA DSHEA in the USA, or as registered medicines in some jurisdictions. TGB Supply Connect does not advise on the regulatory classification of any botanical extract. Buyers are solely responsible for confirming regulatory classification and import permit status in their target market before completing any purchase. Health claims must comply with EU Regulation 1924/2006, FTC guidelines in the USA, and all applicable local regulations. Note: GlobalGAP certificate verification is now exclusively through the Agraya Supply Chain Portal following retirement of the GlobalGAP database on 3 November 2025. Ugandan nilotica shea butter exported for cosmetic use in the EU must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation No 1223/2009. Exporters must ensure their product meets EU safety assessment and labelling requirements for cosmetic ingredients. Buyers importing shea butter for food use must comply with applicable food safety regulations in their jurisdiction. TGB Supply Connect makes no representation as to any shea butter product compliance status in any jurisdiction. D53b — Specialty vegetable and botanical oil compliance. Specialty oils introduced through TGB Supply Connect including sesame oil, castor oil, marula oil, baobab oil, and moringa oil are subject to these additional compliance requirements: (a) Sesame oil to Japan must comply with Japan's Food Sanitation Act and JAS organic certification where applicable. (b) Castor oil to EU pharmaceutical buyers must comply with European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) standards. Castor oil for cosmetic use must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and is listed in the Cosmetics Ingredient Database (CosIng). (c) Marula oil for EU or UK cosmetic use must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009 and is listed in CosIng as Sclerocarya birrea seed oil. (d) Baobab oil is approved as an EU novel food ingredient under Regulation EU 2017/2470. Buyers must confirm their intended use category. (e) Moringa oil for cosmetic use must comply with applicable cosmetics regulations in the buyer's jurisdiction. All specialty oils seeking COSMOS Organic or ECOCERT certification must be sourced from certified-organic producers. TGB Supply Connect does not advise on regulatory classification and makes no representation as to any oil product's compliance status in any jurisdiction. D53 — Application limits and reapplication policy. Each organisation or individual may submit a maximum of two applications to TGB Supply Connect. A first application declined due to insufficient documentation, incomplete certifications, or a score below 70 may be resubmitted once only — after a minimum waiting period of 90 days — and only after the specific reason for decline has been remedied and documented. A second application declined for any reason is final and permanent. No further applications from the same individual, organisation, beneficial owner, or associated entity will be considered. Applications declined for the following reasons are never eligible for reapplication: (a) sanctions designation of any party or beneficial owner; (b) submission of false, misleading, or fraudulent documentation; (c) prior circumvention of a TGB Supply Connect finder fee; (d) prior NDA breach; (e) prohibited use intent confirmed. All declined applications are logged permanently in our compliance dashboard. D54 — Specialty coffee compliance — EUDR, EU Organic, and SCA standards. Specialty coffee introduced through TGB Supply Connect for EU and UK buyers is subject to multiple mandatory compliance requirements: (a) EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) — coffee is a regulated commodity under EUDR. Producers supplying EU buyers must provide GPS coordinates for all farms in the supply chain and demonstrate deforestation-free sourcing. EUDR compliance was mandatory from 30 December 2025 for large operators and 30 June 2026 for micro and small enterprises. Buyers must confirm their EUDR due diligence obligations before completing any purchase. (b) EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 — from 1 October 2025, all organic coffee imports into the EU must fully comply with EU Organic Regulation 2018/848. Products previously certified under national or private schemes may require restructured certification. (c) UK market — UK buyers perform green coffee assessments including screen-size assessment, defect count, bean colour, appearance, smell, moisture, and water activity analysis per British import requirements. (d) SCA specialty grade — specialty coffee scoring 80+ on the SCA scale commands premium pricing. Producers must confirm current SCA grading scores in their application. TGB Supply Connect does not perform coffee cupping or grading and makes no representation as to any coffee's SCA score or market grade. D55 — Spice and vanilla compliance — food safety and phytosanitary requirements. Spices and vanilla introduced through TGB Supply Connect are subject to: (a) EU Regulation 178/2002 (General Food Law) — all food products including spices must meet EU general food safety requirements. (b) EU Maximum Residue Levels for pesticides under Regulation EC 396/2005 apply to all spice imports. Spice exporters must confirm pesticide residue testing results. (c) Phytosanitary certificates are required for all spice exports including cloves, cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla — commodity and destination specific. (d) Vanilla — Ugandan vanilla exported to France and EU fragrance markets must comply with IFRA (International Fragrance Association) standards for vanilla absolute and extract. Natural vanilla extract used in food must comply with FDA 21 CFR 169.175 (USA) and EU Flavouring Regulation 1334/2008. (e) Zanzibar spices — Tanzania's Zanzibar origin spices are recognised benchmark quality. Buyers may require ASTA (American Spice Trade Association) quality specifications for US imports. TGB Supply Connect does not conduct or commission pesticide residue testing on spice products. D56 — Cashew nut compliance — processing, aflatoxin, and import requirements. Cashew nuts introduced through TGB Supply Connect are subject to: (a) Aflatoxin limits — EU Regulation 2023/915 sets maximum levels for aflatoxins in tree nuts including cashews. Producers must confirm aflatoxin testing protocols and results. Cashews failing EU aflatoxin limits face automatic border rejection. (b) Processing — raw cashew nuts (RCN) and processed cashews (W180, W210, W240, W320, W450 grades) have different compliance pathways. Buyers must specify which grade and processing level they require. (c) USA — FDA FSMA Preventive Controls for Human Food applies to cashew processing facilities supplying the US market. (d) UAE and Gulf — ESMA food import requirements apply. Halal certification is required for Gulf state buyers. (e) Phytosanitary certificates required for all cashew exports. TGB Supply Connect does not act as a quality inspector or phytosanitary agent for cashew consignments. D57 — Macadamia nut and oil compliance — food safety and cosmetic use. Macadamia nuts and macadamia oil introduced through TGB Supply Connect are subject to: (a) Food grade macadamia nuts — must comply with Codex Alimentarius standards for tree nuts, including aflatoxin limits per EU Regulation 2023/915 and FDA FSMA requirements for US buyers. (b) Macadamia oil for cosmetic use — must comply with EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. Macadamia ternifolia seed oil is listed in the EU Cosmetics Ingredient Database (CosIng) and is approved for cosmetic use. (c) Organic macadamia — must comply with EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 for EU buyers and USDA NOP for US buyers. (d) Kenya macadamia — Kenya Nut Company and other certified Kenyan exporters comply with ISO 16305 for macadamia quality. Buyers may request ISO 16305 compliance confirmation. TGB Supply Connect makes no representation as to aflatoxin levels, organic certification status, or processing quality of any macadamia introduction. D58 — Hibiscus compliance — novel food, food colourant, and nutraceutical requirements. Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa) introduced through TGB Supply Connect is subject to: (a) EU Novel Food Regulation 2015/2283 — hibiscus extract used as a food ingredient or supplement must be assessed for novel food status in the EU depending on the form and intended use. Hibiscus as a traditional herbal tea ingredient is generally not classified as novel food. Highly concentrated hibiscus extracts or new delivery formats may require novel food authorisation. (b) EU food colourant regulation — hibiscus used as a natural red food colourant (anthocyanins — E163) is approved under EU Regulation 1333/2008. (c) USA — hibiscus is GRAS (Generally Recognised As Safe) for use as a food ingredient. FDA regulates health claims. (d) Nutraceutical buyers must confirm the intended use form and jurisdiction before purchase to confirm applicable regulatory pathway. (e) Pesticide residues — hibiscus exports face EU MRL checks under Regulation EC 396/2005. Producers must confirm pesticide-free cultivation practices. TGB Supply Connect does not advise on novel food regulatory status and makes no representation as to hibiscus regulatory classification in any jurisdiction. D59 — EUDR compliance — coffee, cocoa, and agricultural commodities. The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR — Regulation EU 2023/1115) applies to coffee, cocoa, timber, palm oil, soya, cattle, rubber, and derived products. Large operators were required to comply from 30 December 2025. Micro and small enterprises from 30 June 2026. TGB Supply Connect does not conduct EUDR due diligence on behalf of either party. Producers supplying EU buyers must: (a) provide geolocation data (GPS coordinates) for all plots of land where the commodity was produced; (b) demonstrate the commodity was not produced on land deforested after 31 December 2020; (c) submit a due diligence statement through the EU's TRACES NT system before each shipment. EU buyers are solely responsible for uploading and verifying due diligence statements for all incoming regulated commodity shipments. TGB Supply Connect accepts no liability for EUDR non-compliance by either party. D60 — Food safety certifications required for global food market introductions. Producers and exporters introduced through TGB Supply Connect for food market buyers must hold applicable food safety certifications for their target market: (a) EU and UK buyers — BRC Global Standard for Food Safety (Issue 9) or equivalent GFSI-benchmarked scheme (SQF, FSSC 22000, IFS Food) required by major retailers and food manufacturers. (b) USA buyers — FDA Food Facility Registration required for all food exporters supplying the US market under FSMA. HACCP plan or equivalent required. (c) Halal certification — JAKIM (Malaysia), BPJPH (Indonesia), ESMA (UAE), or equivalent halal authority certification required for all Gulf state buyers. (d) Organic certification — EU Organic Regulation 2018/848 for EU buyers; USDA NOP for USA buyers; JAS Organic for Japan buyers. (e) Fairtrade or Rainforest Alliance certification — increasingly required by European specialty coffee, tea, and chocolate buyers as a minimum supply chain standard. TGB Supply Connect does not verify certification currency or scope and makes no representation as to any producer's certification status in any jurisdiction.
TGB Supply Connect is a trading division of The Growth Bridge Group LLC, a limited liability company registered in the State of Wyoming, United States of America. TGB Supply Connect is not a separate legal entity. All contracts, introductions, obligations, and liabilities arising from activity on this platform are entered into by and with The Growth Bridge Group LLC.
The Growth Bridge Group LLC operates multiple commercial divisions. Each division operates independently under its own brand, intake process, and member network. Membership in TGB Supply Connect does not confer membership in or knowledge of any other division of The Growth Bridge Group LLC.
For all legal correspondence contact: compliance@thegrowthbridgegroup.com