The Questions to Ask a Co-Packer Before You Sign Anything

A co-packer quote can look complete and still leave out the things that actually determine whether the relationship works. Here's what to ask before you sign, grouped by what's actually at stake in each answer.

Pricing & fees

• "Is this quote all-in, or are there separate setup, changeover, or sourcing fees?" A number that looks low because it excludes machine setup isn't actually low.
• "What's your minimum order, and is it per flavor or per order?" This changes everything if you're launching multiple SKUs at once.
• "What happens if I need to reschedule or cancel my production date?" Get the actual percentage or dollar figure, in writing, before you sign — not after you need it.

Capacity & scheduling

• "What's your standard turnaround from signed quote to finished product?" Thirty days is a common benchmark; anything vague ("depends on the queue") is worth pushing on.
• "What do you need from me, and by when, to hold that date?" Most copackers require ingredients, packaging, and paperwork on-site a set number of days before the scheduled run — missing that window is the single most common reason a "held" date slips.
• "What happens if my materials arrive late?" A shop that will simply push your date without penalty is telling you they don't take booked slots seriously for anyone — including you, the next time you need speed.

Quality & food safety

• "What certifications do you hold, and can I see documentation?" Be specific — GMP, SQF, and HACCP are different things, and a shop should be precise about which they actually hold versus which principles they follow informally.
• "Can I do a facility walkthrough?" Any copacker confident in their setup will say yes without hesitation.
• "How do you handle allergen changeovers between runs?" Ask for the actual protocol, not just "we clean the line."

What happens when things go wrong

• "If a batch fails quality control, what happens?" Listen for a clear, specific answer — "we'll figure it out" is not a policy.
• "Who do I talk to if there's a problem with my run?" At a larger copacker, this is often a rotating account rep. At a smaller shop, it might be the owner directly — there are tradeoffs either way, but you should know which one you're getting into.
• "Can I speak to a current customer?" A copacker with nothing to hide will usually make this happen.

Before the first call

Come prepared with your product type, target fill weight, expected units and flavor count, and whether you're supplying packaging or need it sourced. It won't just speed up your quote — it tells the copacker you've done your homework, which tends to get a straighter answer back.