SQF and Regulatory Authority Overview

The Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification is a rigorous food safety and quality program recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI). SQF food safety and quality codes are designed to meet consumer, industry and regulatory requirements for all sectors of the food supply chain from farm to fork.

Buying from a food producer that is SQF certified helps assure your buyers that their food products have been grown, produced, processed, prepared and handled according to the highest standards of food safety and quality.

Spices and spice manufacturing fall under the regulatory oversight of the FDA. This means our facility must comply with stringent standards to ensure the safety, quality, and labeling of our products. We are committed to not just meeting these requirements but exceeding them wherever possible. Our goal is to maintain a high standard of excellence, continuously striving to implement and pursue world class practices in all aspects of our operations. By doing so, we ensure that our products are safe, high-quality, and trusted by our customers.

Quality and Pricing

The Spice Lab’s mission statement is hinged on the assurance that we provide our customers with safe, high quality, spices and spice blends. Sourcing only from reputable suppliers, the spices we manufacture, and packaging come at a higher cost than ‘value packed’ but also come with the confidence that our products can be consumed without worry of regulatory deviations. Spices are among the most economically adulterated products in the world. However, through our robust Approved Supplier Program, all sourced raw materials must meet strict requirements. These include Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) certification for the facility and the provision of pertinent documentation, such as heavy metal testing, pathogen testing, and microbial testing results.

There are more occurrences of poor-quality spices being discovered by FDA now more than ever! With the spotlight on spices meeting regulatory requirements, it helps clean up the commerce market of all the subpar spices and spice manufacturers. At The Spice Lab, we take a much more proactive approach with mitigating any risk upstream by sourcing only the best raw materials available! Without the proper monitoring of quality compliance, spices can be easily manipulated to either be diluted by allergens, substituted with different products, or test out of acceptable parameters for heavy metals. See below on one of the latest findings by FDA related to elevated levels of lead in cinnamon products.

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Sourcing ingredients from reputable suppliers isn’t our only line of validation when it comes to packaging a clean spice or spice blend. Upon receipt of the ingredient and prior to use, qualified individuals will perform analytical and sensory tests to ensure all organoleptic properties are of the highest quality.

We are committed to a 'Clean Label' approach for our finished products, which means we never add silicon dioxide, artificial colors, or artificial flavors to any of our blends. Instead, in alignment with the EPA's Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976, we use vegetable fiber—a natural flowing agent—as a replacement for silicon dioxide.

HACCP and HARPC Programs

The HACCP (Hazard Analysisand Critical Control Points) Program and HARPC (Hazard Analysis and Risk based Preventative Controls) Program and the backbones of the quality management system for consumer and product safety. The overview of the programs encompasses the entire process flow of product from receiving to shipping and addresses any and all risks associated with not only that specific process step but also the ingredient or packaging material.

Allergen Program

As a SQFI certified facility, there are specific requirements that must be met and amongst that are having an allergen management program in place. In 2023, roughly 50% of all food recalls were due to undeclared allergen labeling. This could be everything from putting the wrong label on the finished product container to not properly cleaning the production line before running a product not containing any allergens.

Following best-in-class practices, our employees are properly trained and educated on the adverse effects that allergens can cause if consumed by someone who is allergic to them, and what their role is as a Spice Lab employee to help prevent that!

Following a production run that contains an allergen, the lines will be cleaned following the validated 7-steps of effective sanitation program, inspected and tested by a qualified individual, and released for the next production run.  

We manufacture a handful of spice blends that contain allergens such as sesame seeds, mustard, celery, and soy as well as a dedicated line to packaging pine nuts. Our facility is gluten-free and dairy free.

Product Declarations

Our facility is proud to say that all of our products are (GMO) Genetically Modified Organism free. A GMO is a plant, animal, or microorganism that has been subjected to biotechnology. The majority of our products are also kosher certified under the world recognized OU Orthodox Union certifying body.

Kosher certification is available for your blends.

Pricing: $500 initial setup and $250 annually recertification

In addition to our products being Kosher certified and non-GMO, we also offer an Organic certified product line as well for individually packed spice products and spice blends.

The complexity of the product will determine the setup and management requirements for achieving USDA organic certification. By selecting The Spice Lab to manufacture your organic product, you can rest assured that we will handle all aspects of product management and certification, allowing you to focus on other priorities.

Pricing: TBD Based on Product Complexity

All of our current Food Safety Documentation as well as SQF, Kosher, and Organic certificates are available upon request.

Product Identification and Labeling FAQ

Can we design a custom label for you?

Yes, we can help! We can design your label or brand or assist you in the design process. If you have existing artwork, we can format it to fit our standard die-lines if needed. Our talented team of designers and artists are ready to assist with everything from label and box design to web design and advertisements.

Pricing: Label Graphic Design Services - $125.00 per hour

Are batch numbers needed on my labels? Who provides them?

Our team has the ability to provide barcoding/UPC as well as lot coding for your individual products. Each production line is equipped with a state-of-the-art inkjet machine that applies all pertinent lot coding information (Lot Code, Julian Date, Best by Date), which can be tracked in our quality management system, RedZone. This information allows us to have full visibility of everything that the product is comprised of from packaging to ingredients to labels.

Where to get a UPC barcode?

GS1 US is a company that manages all UPC barcodes around the world. Here is a good place to buy a GTIN (UPC) barcode:  https://www.gs1us.org/upcs-barcodes-prefixes/get-a-barcode.

Pricing: ~$30.00

Order Requirements

Does the quoted price include bottles and packaging?

Yes, the quoted price is an all-inclusive rate for a case pack of 6. We offer a variety of packaging options, including glass, PET plastic, bags, tins, and more. For standard pricing, please refer to our wholesale catalog and price list, which will provide case prices for the various jars or bags available.

Please note: The minimums stated in this document apply specifically to our standard "shaker jar." 

For custom packaging, contact us with details about the desired package type and the blend you wish to pack. We will provide a minimum quote based on the custom item. We have a range of custom glass and PET molds available for large quantities. 

Please note: Custom packaging may significantly increase the Minimum Order Requirement (MOR).

Custom Design Services for Packaging

We also offer 3D design services to create custom glass or PET bottles tailored to your specifications.

 Can we sign an NDA agreement?

Yes, we will be happy to sign an NDA agreement if needed.

In the spice business, transparency is the norm. By law, ingredients must be listed on the packaging in descending order of quantity used in the blend, making it clear to everyone what’s in your seasoning. This openness ensures that consumers know exactly what they’re getting in every product.

Distribution

Do I need a state food license?

In most cases, you do not need a state food license as we handle the packing for you. However, obtaining a selling license is your responsibility and depends on local city and state regulations. It is essential to ensure compliance when selling food.

If you are selling across state lines or to a national chain, you will need an FDA registration number. These are relatively easy to obtain through the FDA website. Most states have varying levels of food registration requirements based on factors such as the type of food, the sales venue (e.g., farmers markets), and the size of your company. Check with your local government to understand the specific requirements for your situation.