Services
Please be aware that UGA’s Extension Food Science & Technology office will be closed for the holidays from 12/20/2024 until 1/2/2025. Our team will not be on-site to receive any products that arrive during these dates. Please email us at efs@uga.edu to confirm shipping arrangements.
UGA Food Science and Technology Extension offers services to in-state and out of state clients.
Our services include on-site consultations, as well as process approval for food processing and packaging, product classification assistance and a nutrition facts panel.
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Examples may include refrigerated spreads, marinades, and non-carbonated and non-alcoholic beverages.Your product will require a Processing Approval (PA) form. Please contact efs@uga.edu to request a form.
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If you are working with a shelf stable product, you will either need a Cottage Food License or have an acid or acidified product.
Cottage Food License
The Georgia Department of Agriculture's Cottage Food Program manages Cottage Food License. Visit their Cottage Food Licenses site to learn more and if you meet the requirements.
Products that fall under Cottage Food License:
- Loaf Breads, Rolls, & Biscuits
- Cakes, Pastries, Cookies, Candies, & Confections
- Fruit Pies
- Dried Fruits & Herbs
- Seasonings & Mixtures
- Cereals, Trail Mixes, & Granola
- Coated or Uncoated Nuts
- Vinegar & Flavored Vinegar
- Popcorn, Popcorn Balls, & Cotton Candy
Our office can provide a Nutritional Facts Panel (NFP) for you product!I am working with an Acid or Acidified Food
If you plan to process and package an acid or acidified food product yourself in a licensed and inspected commercial kitchen facility, you may need to get a process approval or a product classification.To learn more about Food Sales Licenses visit the Georgia Department of Agriculture.The Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) requires that certain types of food items (acidified) offered for sale within the State of Georgia have a letter of process approval from a certified food processing authority, like the UGA Extension Food Science specialists.
The process authority carefully examines the recipe, the methods used to prepare, package and store the item, and the food safety precautions required to produce a safe product. Product attributes, such as pH, water activity, and Brix, are verified by testing the finished product. Once the process is approved, a letter of process approval is sent to the GDA.
Please contact efs@uga.edu, or fill out the request form below, to request a this service.
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If you are producing a carbonated beverage, we may recommend a product classification, which will determine if your product is exempt from 21 CFR Part 114.
Please contact efs@uga.edu to request a form.
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The UGA Extension Food Science & Technology specialists offer the following services to food businesses:
- Thermally Processed Products (Process Approval & Product Classification) $175
- Includes any applicable product testing (pH, Brix, water activity, etc.)
- Includes any applicable product testing (pH, Brix, water activity, etc.)
- Fermented & Refrigerated Products $175
- Includes any applicable product testing (pH, Brix, water activity, etc.)
- Nutrition Facts Panels (NFP) $175
- Includes ingredient statement, allergen statement
- Includes ingredient statement, allergen statement
- Menu Label for Restaurants $75 per recipe
- Label Review $50 for UGA NFPs/ $75 for non UGA
- Nutrition Facts Panel Additional Container Sizes $40 each
- Revision for Nutirion Facts Panel or Process Approval $40 each
- Product Testing (pH, Brix, etc.) $30 each
- Thermally Processed Products (Process Approval & Product Classification) $175
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EFST provides technical assistance with filling out process filing forms with the FDA 2541 (Food Canning Establishment Registration).
Please email efs@uga.edu to request technical assistance. Once scheduled, an email invitation with a Zoom link will be provided. Please have your process approval with you or send to efs@uga.edu prior to the call. This service will be billed on an hourly basis, at a rate of $100/hour.
Resources for Food Businesses
Co-Packers
- Co- Packers (PDF). This is a list of co-packers that are inspected by either the Georgia Department of Agriculture or the local health department. This list in no way infers a recommendation of these establishments and is provided solely as a service to Georgia food product entrepreneurs. No guarantee or warranty by EFS is implied by this list. You should meet with several co-packers before making your decision – do your due diligence research, too.
In-depth explanations of the requirements for small food product manufacturers under the “Current Good Manufacturing Practice, Hazard Analysis, and Risk-Based Preventive Controls for Human Food” regulation (21 CFR 117) under FSMA
Cottage Foods
Cottage foods are foods allowed to be prepared in a home kitchen for selling to the public. In Georgia, licensed cottage food operators can make and sell only foods that are defined as non-potentially hazardous. Licensed cottage food operators can legally sell their products at non-profit events, for-profit events and may also conduct internet sales within the state of Georgia. For more information on the products allowed for sale as cottage foods and for information on becoming a licensed cottage food operator, visit the following links.
Contact us!
Please provide you name, a brief desciption of your product, and what services you are interested in (nutritional facts label, process approval, etc.).