Q
QueTPiesBBQ
Guest
anyone ever had any dealings with getting their bbq sauce bottled? Maybe a co-packer or bottling company?
Some retail outfits require an audit of the mixing and packing facilities before they allow items to be sold in their stores.
my co-packer made sure I specified any brand name ingredients I used in my recipeWe're in the middle of making this happen.
The first step is getting your labeling ready. To do this you'll need to get a UPC Code assigned so the stores are able to scan the package and have a Nutritional Analysis done so that your product will meet FDA requirements.
Once that is done you can have labels printed up. Then you can self-bottle with an approved canning setup if you have a commercial kitchen or rented commissary available. This is often a good idea for getting started, because the copacker is going to require a large initial order and you may not want to commit to 100 gallons of sauce that you don't know will sell.
The final step of hiring a copacker can be pretty tough, especially if you are picky about your sauce recipe. Copackers will take your recipe and try to recreate it with the bulk ingredients they regularly stock, which may or may not accurately reproduce your product.
For more information, check with your local extension agent or health department.
Greg short of getting my own UPC and designing and getting my labels created the co packer handled everything else for meSearch for a copacker that wants to work with you to the absolute detail. I am in the process of this, but have not gone that far as of yet. Billm can add some advice as I will be using the people that he used. They will not process until you are happy with their recreation and want you on sight for the final product. That is way away from you though. I am sure there is a reputable copacker in your area that cares just as much.
Dorina in Union Illinoisbill who is you co-packer
seriously this was not all that complicated to do..my copacker was very helpful with the whole process..the only thing i really had to do on my own was label design,securing a upc code(a quick on line purchase), and the usual behind the scenes stuff of any business like insurance, registering business state ..etc...The following link is a good resource to follow. I'm looking at bottling in the future, but I take tiny baby steps, so that I have the least amount of trouble. Because there's always trouble. Good luck!
http://www.specialtyfoodresource.com/page/page/4205553.htm
seriously this was not all that complicated to do..my copacker was very helpful with the whole process..the only thing i really had to do on my own was label design,securing a upc code(a quick on line purchase), and the usual behind the scenes stuff of any business like insurance, registering business state ..etc...
the real work comes afterwards when you got a pallet of sauce sittiing in your garage
getting it on the shelves at stores is dependent on how much spare time you are willing to invest ..its a lot of legwork but its fun..