Tap Root
Tap Root is a founder-owned scientific and regulatory consulting firm that helps functional food, dietary supplement, and cosmeceutical companies develop FDA/FTC-compliant product claims, labels, and launch strategies, serving both established brands and startups.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersPassaic, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Tap Root does
Tap Root is a privately held scientific and regulatory consulting firm serving the natural products industry, specifically functional foods, dietary supplements, and cosmeceuticals. The firm was founded by Risa Schulman, PhD (Plant Biology, Rutgers) and operates as a founder-owned boutique practice with 1-10 employees. Its core offering combines PhD-level expertise in phytochemistry and plant biology with deep specialization in FDA DSHEA compliance and FTC claims substantiation — translating complex science into compliant marketing claims, labels, and product launch strategies for both established brands and startups.
The firm's service portfolio spans six primary lines: strategic scientific and regulatory consulting, claims substantiation dossier development, DSHEA label compliance review, science communications and sales force training, due diligence for investors and acquirers, and speaker/training programs. Service delivery is project-based and bespoke, with a free 20-minute consultation used to qualify leads. Distribution is entirely direct: Tap Root reaches customers through industry conferences (Supply Side West/East, Expo West), trade publication articles, webinars, and advisory board visibility rather than through a sales team or channel partners. The firm holds recurring advisory or content relationships with Clorox, ZENB, Plum Organics, McCormick, DianaPlantSciences, and Kaneka/Ubiquinol.org, and reports active client engagements across North America, Europe, Israel, and Australia.
The business is a traditional professional services model: revenue is generated by billable consulting engagements, no external funding has been raised, no software products or recurring subscriptions are sold, and the firm carries no proprietary technology beyond its accumulated claims substantiation methodology.
Tap Root firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Tap Root
- Legal name
- Tap~Root, Risa Schulman, PhD
- Website
- https://tap-root.biz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Tap Root is a founder-owned scientific and regulatory consulting firm that helps functional food, dietary supplement, and cosmeceutical companies develop FDA/FTC-compliant product claims, labels, and launch strategies, serving both established brands and startups.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Tap Root industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Scientific and Regulatory Consulting
- NAICS
- Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Regulatory Consulting & Compliance Program Management (FDA/USDA/EFSA) (AFALADAC)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Regulatory Strategy & Global Submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/BLA/MAA) (HLAGAKAA)
Keywords
Where Tap Root is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Passaic
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Tap Root business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Scientific and Regulatory Consulting Services: Professional consulting services billed by project or engagement. Services include regulatory compliance review, claims substantiation, product development strategy, due diligence for acquisitions, and marketing communications support for functional foods, dietary supplements, and cosmeceuticals companies.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Initial consultation |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels7 records
Tap Root product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Tap Root is a scientific consulting firm that provides regulatory and product development guidance to companies in the natural products industry — including dietary supplement manufacturers, functional food/beverage brands, ingredient suppliers, and cosmeceutical companies. Core offerings include claims substantiation dossiers, DSHEA label compliance review, FDA structure/function claim review, science-to-marketing communications, and due diligence assessments for investors and acquirers. The firm is led by founder Risa Schulman, PhD, and operates on a project-based consulting engagement model.
Product overview
Tap Root is a scientific and regulatory consulting firm (not a software product) that provides specialized consulting services to the natural products industry (functional foods, dietary supplements, and cosmeceuticals). The company is led by Risa Schulman, PhD and offers a portfolio of consulting services including strategic scientific and regulatory consulting, claims substantiation, DSHEA label compliance review, science communications and marketing support, due diligence services for investors, and educational speaker/training programs. These services help companies develop compliant claims, navigate regulatory requirements, and effectively communicate scientific information to consumers and stakeholders.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Strategic Scientific and Regulatory Consulting Strategic consulting guidance for established and startup companies on product platform development, claims messaging, regulatory compliance, and business strategy in the natural products industry.
- Claims Substantiation Services Development of claims dossiers and substantiation documentation to support health claims for dietary supplements, functional foods, and cosmeceuticals while ensuring regulatory compliance.
- DSHEA Label Compliance Review Review of dietary supplement and food labels for FDA compliance, ensuring mandatory food labeling requirements and DSHEA structure/function claim regulations are met in product package design.
- Science Communications and Marketing Translation of complex scientific information into consumer-friendly marketing materials, sales force training programs, and educational content for natural products companies.
- Due Diligence Services Regulatory compliance assessment and capabilities evaluation of dietary supplement companies for investment decisions, including review of claims validity and compliance posture across product lines.
- Speaker and Training Programs Public speaking engagements, seminars, and training programs for non-scientific staff on nutrition science, regulatory requirements, and product knowledge, delivered at industry conferences and for client teams.
Quantifiable outcome
- Customers report saving 6 months of product development time with comprehensive claims substantiation documentation
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Tap Root
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Tap Root technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Tap Root partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- ZENB Plant CouncilcoreRisa Schulman was invited to participate in the ZENB Plant Council, contributing expertise in plant-based nutrition and product development strategy.
- The Clorox CompanycoreRisa Schulman joined The Clorox Company's Science Advisory Board for their Better Health Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplement (VMS) product line, providing scientific expertise and guidance on product development and claims substantiation.
- DianaPlantSciencescoreRisa serves on the inaugural Science Advisory Board supporting advancement of dietary ingredients produced from plant cell culture technology.
- Plum OrganicscoreRisa Schulman joined Plum Organics' Wellness Advisory Panel, a hybrid multi-disciplinary team of experts from diverse backgrounds including pediatric medicine, nutrition, food science, culinary arts and food ingredient innovation.
- McCormick & CompanyminorRisa Schulman serves on McCormick's Nutrition Advisory Panel, providing scientific guidance on nutrition and ingredient innovation.
- KanekaminorRisa Schulman authored multiple educational articles for Kaneka about Ubiquinol and Coenzyme Q10, helping Kaneka educate the market about their ingredients. Articles covered topics including differences between CoQ10 and Ubiquinol, genetics affecting absorption, and statin interactions.
- PLT Health SolutionscoreTap Root partnered with PLT Health Solutions to develop the Synapsa Next Generation Claims Dossier, providing impartial review of the validity of science supporting Synapsa claims. The dossier won Nutrition Business Journal's Award for Supply Chain Transparency.
- Ubiquinol.orgminorServes as 'Ask the Expert' resource for Ubiquinol.org and Puritan's Pride, providing scientific expertise on Ubiquinol supplementation.
- American Botanical CouncilminorExpert writer and reviewer for the American Botanical Council, contributing to educational resources on botanical ingredients.
- New Hope Natural MediaminorEditorial and planning board member contributing to natural products industry media and education initiatives.
- Rutgers UniversityminorVisiting Research Scientist contributing to academic research and plant biology studies.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
Tap Root competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Silliker / Mérieux NutriSciences: Global food safety, testing, and regulatory services firm. Comparable in regulatory compliance and labeling support for food and supplement manufacturers, but with much broader scientific and lab testing capabilities.
- Intertek: Global quality assurance, testing, and regulatory consulting firm serving food and dietary supplements manufacturers. Comparable on regulatory affairs and compliance work, but at substantially greater scale and geographic breadth.
- Keller and Heckman: FDA-focused law firm with a substantial food and dietary supplements regulatory practice. Comparable on regulatory strategy for supplements, particularly for clients needing legal counsel alongside scientific consulting.
- Beveridge & Diamond: Law firm with one of the leading FDA regulatory practices, including supplements and DSHEA matters. Competes with Tap Root on regulatory strategy and compliance counseling, particularly for higher-stakes and enforcement matters.
- NSF International: Global standards, certification, and regulatory services organization with a substantial dietary supplements and natural products practice. Overlaps with Tap Root on regulatory consulting, label compliance, and claims substantiation, but operates across a much broader portfolio.
Direct peers
- FDA Group: Life sciences regulatory consulting firm providing FDA strategy, submissions, and compliance services. Comparable boutique regulatory practice, though more focused on pharmaceuticals and medical devices than Tap Root's supplement-centric base.
- EAS Consulting Group: Specializes in FDA regulatory consulting for dietary supplements, foods, and pharmaceuticals. Closely comparable to Tap Root in claims substantiation, label review, and DSHEA compliance services, but operates at a larger scale.
- GRAS Associates (NutriScience Solutions): Food and ingredient regulatory consulting firm specializing in GRAS determinations, FDA submissions, and claims work. Comparable boutique regulatory practice serving supplement and functional food clients.
- Health Sciences Associates (HSA): Regulatory affairs and scientific consulting firm focused on FDA matters for dietary supplements and functional foods. Direct competitor in claims substantiation and DSHEA compliance work.
Emerging players
- Spherix Global Insights: Specialty consulting and market intelligence firm serving the dietary supplements, nutrition, and food ingredient industries. Partial overlap with Tap Root through scientific/regulatory advisory content, though more research-driven than consulting-led.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Tap Root social profiles
Digital presenceTap Root financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Tap Root leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Tap Root funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Tap Root M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Tap Root
What does Tap Root do?
Tap Root is a scientific consulting firm that provides regulatory and product development guidance to companies in the natural products industry — including dietary supplement manufacturers, functional food/beverage brands, ingredient suppliers, and cosmeceutical companies. Core offerings include claims substantiation dossiers, DSHEA label compliance review, FDA structure/function claim review, science-to-marketing communications, and due diligence assessments for investors and acquirers. The firm is led by founder Risa Schulman, PhD, and operates on a project-based consulting engagement model.
Is Tap Root a public or private company?
Tap Root is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Tap Root founded?
Tap Root was founded in 2010. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Tap Root based?
Tap Root is headquartered in Passaic, United States, in the North America region.
How does Tap Root make money?
One revenue line is on record: scientific and Regulatory Consulting Services.
Who are Tap Root's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Silliker / Mérieux NutriSciences, Intertek, Keller and Heckman, Beveridge & Diamond and NSF International. Direct peers are FDA Group, EAS Consulting Group, GRAS Associates (NutriScience Solutions) and Health Sciences Associates (HSA). Spherix Global Insights is listed as an emerging player.
Does Tap Root have an API?
No public API is recorded for Tap Root.
What industry is Tap Root in?
Tap Root's product category is Scientific and Regulatory Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFALADAC, Regulatory Consulting & Compliance Program Management (FDA/USDA/EFSA), with a secondary code of HLAGAKAA, Regulatory Strategy & Global Submissions (IND/CTA/NDA/BLA/MAA). Its NAICS code is 54169 and its SIC code is 8742.