Contract Manufacturing
Definition
The production of food products by a third-party manufacturer on behalf of a brand owner, requiring separate recipe management, costing, and compliance documentation for each client.
Regulatory Source
- Standard 3.2.2— Food safety practices — obligations apply to all food businesses regardless of ownership arrangement
- Standard 1.2.2— Food identification — label must carry name and address of the responsible Australian supplier
Last verified against current standards: April 2026
Regulatory authority: Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ)
Related Terms
Batch Tracking
The process of recording and managing production batches in food manufacturing, enabling forward and backward traceability from raw materials to finished products.
Private Label
Food products manufactured by one company (contract manufacturer) but sold under another company's brand name, common in Australian supermarket chains.
Recipe Management
The systematic management of food product recipes including ingredient specifications, quantities, preparation methods, and version control.