The search for a supplement co-packer follows a predictable pattern for most founders. You Google "supplement co-packer." You find a list. You email five of them. Two respond. One wants a 50,000 unit minimum. The other wants to jump on a call before they'll tell you anything. You're three weeks in and you still don't know what anything costs.
We've been there. One of Overgang's founders lost nearly $250,000 navigating exactly this process with a PE-backed facility that cared more about margin than making things right when problems arose. This guide exists so you don't repeat that.
What to Look For Before You Contact Anyone
Before you reach out to a single co-packer, get clear on your own requirements. The more specific you are, the faster you'll know whether a facility is a fit — and the harder it is for them to waste your time with vague answers.
Know these before you make any call:
- Your product type — powder, liquid, capsule, tablet. Most facilities specialize.
- Your fill weight — in grams. This determines machine compatibility and throughput.
- Your pouch format — sachet, zipper pouch, gusset bag, or something else.
- Your target run size — how many units in your first order and your anticipated repeat order.
- Your timeline — when do you need finished goods in hand.
- Your compliance requirements — do your retail buyers, Amazon, or investors require FDA registration?
Where to Find Co-Packers
- ThomasNet (thomasnet.com) — the largest industrial supplier directory in the US. Search "contract packager powder" and filter by location.
- PartnerSlate (partnerslate.com) — a marketplace specifically for food and supplement brands to find co-manufacturers. You post your project and facilities respond.
- Kompass (kompass.com) — global directory, good for finding smaller regional facilities.
- Industry referrals — ask in supplement brand communities, Facebook groups, or LinkedIn. A warm referral from a brand that's used a facility is worth more than any directory listing.
- Trade shows — SupplySide West, Expo West, and similar events have co-packer exhibitors. Meeting someone in person accelerates the vetting process significantly.
The Questions Every Brand Should Ask
When you get a co-packer on the phone or email, these are non-negotiable questions:
On minimums and pricing
- What is your minimum order quantity in units?
- Do you have a minimum blend weight requirement?
- What is your pricing structure? Is it per-unit, day-rate, or something else?
- What exactly does your base price include — setup, calibration, quality checks, packout?
- Are there fees not included in the base price? Ask specifically.
On compliance
- Are you FDA registered?
- Can you provide documentation of your registration for our retail buyer / Amazon / investor?
- Do you follow GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) guidelines?
- What allergen protocols do you have in place?
On operations
- What machine do you use for this format?
- What is your current scheduling lead time?
- Can I run multiple flavors in one production day? At what cost?
- Do you offer blending, or does my product need to arrive pre-blended?
- What happens if a run doesn't meet spec?
On the relationship
- How do you handle problems when they arise?
- Can you provide references from brands of a similar size to ours?
- What do you require from us before scheduling a run? (MSA, COAs, allergen declaration, spec sheet)
A co-packer who answers these questions directly, without defensiveness, and without pressuring you to get on another call — is worth talking to further.
Red Flags to Walk Away From
- Won't publish pricing. If a co-packer won't tell you what anything costs without a discovery call, they're not being transparent. This is the industry norm. It doesn't have to be yours.
- Vague answers about what's included. "It depends" is a valid answer — but only if followed by specifics about what it depends on. Vagueness about inclusions becomes a surprise invoice.
- Pressure to commit before you've seen a quote. No legitimate co-packer needs you to sign anything before giving you a number.
- No clear policy on what happens when something goes wrong. Ask explicitly: what happens if the fill weight is off? What happens if there's a seal issue? A co-packer with no answer to this question is telling you something.
- Private equity ownership with no brand-side empathy. This isn't a blanket statement against PE-owned facilities — but if the person you're talking to has no idea what it's like to be a small brand, and no interest in finding out, that will show in how they handle problems.
- No FDA registration for a supplement product. If you're making dietary supplements and your co-packer isn't FDA registered, you have a compliance problem.
What to Check Before Signing an MSA
A Master Service Agreement (MSA) is the contract between you and your co-packer. Before you sign anything, confirm these are addressed:
- What is the liability if a run doesn't meet spec?
- What are the payment terms and deposit requirements?
- What happens to your materials (ingredients, film) if the relationship ends?
- Is there an exclusivity clause? (There shouldn't be for most small brands.)
- What is the notice period to cancel?
- Who owns the formula? (It should always be you. Always.)
On formula ownership
Your formula is your intellectual property. No co-packer should ever own, claim rights to, or retain copies of your formulation beyond what's needed to run your product. If an MSA is unclear on this point, push for explicit language before signing.
The Vetting Checklist
- FDA registered — confirmed with documentation
- Pricing published or disclosed before any commitment
- Minimum order quantity confirmed in writing
- Blend weight minimum confirmed (if applicable)
- MSA reviewed — formula ownership, liability, payment terms clear
- COA requirement confirmed — they require them, which is correct
- Allergen declaration requirement confirmed
- Make-good policy confirmed — what happens when things go wrong
- Reference check completed — spoke to at least one brand of similar size