Now that you have chosen a copacker to help you with your manufacturing and packaging needs, the next step is to come into an agreement with the provider. This agreement should be formalized with a written and legal contract that specifies all the elements involved.
Contractual Elements
To ensure efficiency and transparency between the copackers and the business, written orders should specify aspects such as ingredients, supplies, processing and output method of finished products. For the security and business safety of both parties, a concise written contract should be drafted. Therefore it is important to consult with your attorney throughout the process. Here are some examples of the elements that should be addressed in the copackers contract:
The specific services being contracted
- Who is responsible in testing the raw products
- Who will keep the records and where will they be kept
- What methods will be used to check the final product
- What supplies and ingredients will the copacker provide
- How much lead time is allowed and needed for the production runs
- What kind of batch or lot coding should be used
- What is the recall plan of the manufacturer and how will notifications be made
These are but some of the different aspects of the contract that should be considered and addressed. It is highly recommended that all elements be checked and discussed with your attorney prior to and during the contract drafting. If there are too many things to consider at once, check out Food Trade Consultants, who can give you an end-to-end education on what you need to know when you start your own catering outfit. Foodtradeconsultants have different packages, covering everything from cooking classes to certified kitchens.