Tag: USDA NIFA

Finding and Using a Co-Packer

Cottage foods cookie baker Kathy Paiva (left, in apron) and Extension agent Soohyoun Ahn preparing food at a communal kitchen. Photo taken 08-25-17.

A contract packager, commonly called a co-packer, is a manufacturer that will produce, package, and/or label a product for clients. This new 7-page factsheet provides a brief overview on the definition of co-packers, advantages and disadvantages of using a co-packer, and the list of things you need to consider when you hire and work with a co-packer. It also includes a noncomprehensive list of co-packers in Florida and Georgia. This factsheet is one in the Food Entrepreneurship in Florida series, which serves as a useful guide to help run a successful food-related business. Written by Alison O’Donoughue, Wendi Jennings, and Soohyoun Ahn, and published by the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs380

How to Start a Food Business: Basic Food Technology; Food Acidity

Pickled cucumbers, homemade preserves

Food acidity is an important parameter in food product development. Most people know that food acidity influences flavor, but more importantly, food acidity can affect the ability of microorganisms to grow in food. Food acidity, or the amount of acid that is present in the food, is used to classify a food product, and that classification determines the regulatory requirements for the specific food product. This new 6-page publication of the UF/IFAS Food Science and Human Nutrition Department describes how to measure food acidity and how food is classified based on its acidity. Written by Soohyoun Ahn, Jayna Goldstein, George Baker, and Matthew Krug.
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs325