How do I sell my seasoning commercially?

[ctrl+alt+del]

Can someone please offer some direction? I have this All-purpose seasoning blend I want to sell commercially (online and at trade fairs and cookoffs initially). I need to know what regulatory and legal hoops I have to go through. I want to make sure I have all the licensing and permits, UPC, nutrition label requirements label requirements, yada yada. Is there any advice anyone can give or at least a resource at getting started? My seasoning will be packaged by Tex-Joy, so I won't have to have a facility inspection, unless I have to have my garage inspected where I plan on storing it. I asked Gotexan.org, but they only deal with the marketing part. I appreciate any advice.

c+a+d

 

[horn4life]

Well if you want to do any sort of volume you need to get your own UPC code for the product. You also will need some considerable capital as YOU will have to stock the shelves first BEFORE getting paid.

One of the things you need to look at VERY closely is what sort of shelf space potential retailers have for similar items, and who has the shelf space presently.

You will have to put caloric content, ingredients, and other FDA required listings.

That should get you started in the right direction. HOWEVER I will tell you right up front GETTING the shelf space is difficult and hanging onto it is even MORE difficult.

 

[ctrl+alt+del]

Thank you, but I plan on selling it online and at trade shows for awhile and I'm just curious as to what I need to do to make sure I am "legal." Thanks again!

 

[zzzz]

Have you asked Tex-Joy?

 

[OrangeFairway]

I know a guy who has been amazingly successful selling pickles, of all things. He started selling at trade shows, and for the most part still does almost all of his sales at fairs, trade shows and phone orders. He quite his job as a school teacher and now sells over 2,500 jars of pickles every month.

Judging from what he has told me, you just need to get a sample unit of your product analyzed by a food lab. MS State did his for him, and I don't think it was prohibitively expensive. You will need to label your product with the required nutritional info, but keep in mind these can be home-made labels.

I imagine that someone at the University of Texas can give you the information pretty quickly if you can find the right department.

Here is the site of the Pickle Guy:The Link

A better pickle you will not experience. The pickled jalapeno slices are to die for.

 

[ctrl+alt+del]

Thanks for the help guys. For some reason, I never actually thought of asking Tex-Joy. I e-mailed my contact there and he sent me a bevy of info. I hope to one day be able to sponsor UT tailgates/cookoffs, etc. That would be freakin sweet!

 

[TenaciousTgarden]

i can't believe one can make so much money selling pickles. unbelievable. these pickles must be incredible.

 

[Macanudo]

Well, pickles have more than one purpose.