Co-Packing Resources for Canadian Food Brands

Scale-up, ingredient sourcing, filling and sealing, packaging and labels, warehousing and freight.

If not yet: Decide which stages you need before you start calling: some facilities only package, others handle formulation, production, packaging and labelling. Define what you need The co-packing process

Quantity, quality, container size and type, ingredient and packaging specs, and testing requirements.

If not yet: Write your specification first. Vague specs lead to trial-and-error runs you end up paying for. Due-diligence checklist Lowering first-run costs

Within one province, across provincial borders, or export.

If not yet: Where you sell decides whether Safe Food for Canadians licensing applies to whoever manufactures, packages or labels your food. SFCR licensing Who needs an SFC licence

Including labelling or over-stickering you might do yourself.

If not yet: Each business needs a licence for the activities it performs. If you label product yourself before it ships out of province, check whether you need your own licence. Five common set-ups Preventive control plans

Printed film and custom containers often carry their own minimums.

If not yet: Compare formats for barrier, fill temperature and closures, and ask for the packaging minimum separately from the run minimum. Packaging formats guide Why minimums exist

Common name, net quantity, bilingual ingredients and allergens, Nutrition Facts, and a lot code where required.

If not yet: Finalize your label before ordering printed packaging, and check front-of-package nutrition symbol rules, which have applied since January 1, 2026. Labeling step Labelling reminders

For example HACCP, SQF, organic or non-GMO.

If not yet: Put your retailers’ requirements up front, and ask any co-packer for the current certificate rather than relying on a website claim. Verify licensing and certifications Red flags

Set-up and changeover, testing, storage and freight.

If not yet: Add everything into a landed cost per unit at your realistic run size, and ask for price breaks at two or three volume tiers. What’s in a quote Landed-cost worksheet