Food Brand Product Launch Checklist: 47 Things to Do Before You Ship

A food product launch is one of the most operationally complex things a brand can do. It requires simultaneous progress across regulatory compliance, supply chain setup, packaging finalization, retail buyer approval, and marketing preparation. Missing a step in any of these workstreams can delay your launch, create compliance risk, or result in a product that cannot be sold in your target channels. This checklist covers the 47 most important items to complete before your first shipment.

Regulatory and Compliance (Before Production)

• Nutrition facts panel reviewed and verified by a registered dietitian or accredited lab
• Ingredient statement in descending order by weight, reviewed for accuracy
• Allergen declarations reviewed and verified against your bill of materials
• Net weight statement verified against actual fill weight
• Manufacturer name and address on label (required by FDA)
• Country of origin statement if required for your product category
• Organic certification obtained (if making organic claims)
• Non-GMO verification obtained (if making non-GMO claims)
• Kosher or Halal certification obtained (if making these claims)
• FDA facility registration current (required for all food manufacturers)
• FSMA preventive controls plan documented and implemented
• Recall plan documented and tested

Supply Chain and Production

• Bill of materials finalized and costed for each SKU
• All ingredient suppliers qualified and approved
• Supplier certificates of analysis obtained for each ingredient
• Co-packer agreement signed with production schedule confirmed
• Co-packer facility audit completed (or SQF/AIB certificate obtained)
• Packaging specifications finalized and approved by co-packer
• Packaging materials ordered with sufficient lead time
• Production trial run completed and product approved
• Lot numbering system established and communicated to co-packer
• COGS calculated based on actual production trial costs
• Minimum order quantities confirmed with all suppliers
• Initial production run scheduled and confirmed with co-packer

Retail and Distribution

• UPC codes assigned to each SKU (GS1 registration)
• Case UPC (SCC-14) assigned to each SKU
• Product images shot (front, back, lifestyle) at required resolution
• Product data submitted to 1WorldSync or GS1 registry
• Retailer item setup forms completed for each account
• Pricing confirmed with each retail account (MSRP, wholesale, promotional)
• Trade spend budget established by account
• Broker agreements signed (if using brokers)
• Distributor agreements signed (if using distributors)
• EDI setup completed for accounts requiring EDI
• Vendor compliance requirements reviewed for each account
• First purchase orders received and confirmed

Logistics and Fulfillment

• 3PL selected and onboarded (if using a 3PL)
• 3PL receiving appointment scheduled for initial inventory
• Pallet and case labeling requirements confirmed for each account
• Freight carrier relationships established
• DTC fulfillment setup completed (if selling DTC)
• Amazon listing created and inventory plan submitted (if selling on Amazon)
• Inventory management system configured for new SKUs

Marketing and Commercial

• Product page live on your website
• Amazon listing optimized (title, bullet points, A+ content)
• Launch email to existing customer list scheduled
• Social media content calendar for launch week prepared
• Press release drafted (if doing a PR push)
• Influencer or media outreach completed (if applicable)
• Launch promotion defined and communicated to retail accounts