How to find an organic co-packer, and choose the right one
If your label says organic, your co-packer's certification is part of your product. Here is where to find one, how to check the certificate, and what to ask.
Where to find an organic co-packer
- Search a directory of certified facilities. CoPacker Index lists only co-packers with active USDA organic certification for handling, sorted by product type, state, and certification.
- Search the USDA Organic INTEGRITY Database. It lists every certified operation. You can search by location and product, but it does not tell you who takes outside brands, so expect to make calls.
- Ask your certifier and ingredient suppliers. They often know which local facilities run organic products for other brands.
- Ask other founders. Brands one step ahead of you in the same category are the best source of honest reviews.
Shortlist three to five facilities that already run your kind of product, then use the steps below to check each one.
The facility needs organic certification for handling
Under the USDA organic regulations, operations that produce or handle organic products generally must be certified by a USDA-accredited certifier. For a co-packer, that means a current certificate that covers handling, the category for processing and packing organic products.
How to check a certificate in two minutes
- Search the facility's name in the USDA Organic Integrity Database, which is free and public.
- Confirm the status is certified, not surrendered, suspended, or revoked.
- Check that handling is one of the certified scopes.
- Look at the products listed, and ask whether your product type is covered.
Every facility on CoPacker Index is checked against this database, and listings link to the certificate where the USDA publishes one.
Your label claim decides the recipe
- "100% organic" requires all organic ingredients.
- "Organic" requires at least 95% organic ingredients, not counting added water and salt.
- "Made with organic" requires at least 70% organic ingredients.
- Below 70%, you can only identify organic ingredients in the ingredient list.
Settle the claim before you talk to co-packers, because it decides your ingredient costs and sourcing.
Does your brand need its own certificate?
It depends on what your business does. The Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule, fully implemented on March 19, 2024, requires more businesses in the organic supply chain to be certified, including many brokers, traders, importers, and exporters. Ask a USDA-accredited certifier early. Many answer these questions for free.
Ask how they protect organic integrity
- If they also run conventional products, how do they prevent mixing and contamination? Scheduling, cleaning between runs, and separate storage are common answers.
- How will your product be added to their organic system plan, and how long does that take with their certifier?
- Who sources organic ingredients, and will you get the suppliers' organic certificates?
Browse organic co-packers
Start with all organic co-packers, or go straight to sauces and condiments, beverages, snacks, or supplements.