I might totally be in the wrong area/forum for this, but I am simply trying to help out a friend and have not had much success. From what I understand, they cannot do it themselves, it has to be a FDA approved/certified “kitchen” that can do it on their behalf because of such regulations (otherwise anyone can make any syrup and label it FDA approved). I truly would appreciate any help anyone can offer on this, again, I have no stake in this, just trying to help a friend who has helped me out many ways while writing about cocktails in magazines:
Here is their text copy/pasted:
We have a retail-ready non-alcoholic cocktail syrup product ready to go to market, complete with the required process schedule, however, we need to first identify a co-packer (contract manufacturer) who is capable of performing a Hot-Fill-Hold process with a Kill Step into HDPE gallon containers.
AT-A-GLANCE:
• Retail-ready non-alcoholic cocktail syrup
• To be stored as a ambient stable beverage in a warehouse
• Packaging is intended for 1 gallon stock HDPE and 1 liter containers
• Hot-Fill-Hold process with a Kill Step (heat)
• Start-up friendly quantities for initial run
• Shipping to Florida ZIP CODE
• PAL (Process Authority Letter) completed
• COA (Certificate of Analysis) completed
We have two SKUs: 1 Gallon HDPE jugs (for wholesale) and 1 Liter bottles.
We have the PAL (Process Authority Letter) and COA (Certificate of Analysis) already done; I just need to find a contract manufacturing partner, ideally as close to Florida as possible.
We need to find a co-packer that has low minimum runs and would be willing to work with a start-up company. I can’t do 1000s of gallons right off the bat - looking for a low initial pilot run, initially to get the brand off the ground with the plan to introduce line extensions once I get traction.