Here's the Answers to some of the Questions you may have.
Q. What is the hourly rate for McFoodies technologists?
A. McFoodies technologists are charged out at $105 + GST per hour for all work apart from UK & US labelling compliance. These projects are charged at $NZ150 + GST per hour.
Q. I only need a Food Technologist for a few hours. Will I have to pay for a whole day/week's worth of work?
A. No. McFoodies technologists are charged out by the hour. If the project only takes one hour then that is all you will be invoiced for.
Q. I don't have any test-kitchen facilities or spare computers on my premises. Can the technologists work off-site?
A. Yes. In most cases bench scale work can be done in the technologist's kitchen at home. McFoodies provides equipment such as scales and the technologists all have access to e-mail and computing facilities
Q. Can you help me to find Contract Manufacturers / Packers for our product?
A. Yes. McFoodies has created a website for this specific purpose. Go to www.fabfoodiefinder.co.nz
Q. Are you looking for any more Food Technologists for the McFoodies team?
A. Yes. To meet the demand for our services McFoodies needs to increase the number of Food Technologists available to our clients. If you are a Food Technologist interested in working in a flexible, family-friendly please contact use for more information. You will have access to the knowledge of the other food technologists in the McFoodies group, and the support of the McFoodies management team. In return, you will need to have at least 5 years food industry experience and a positive, flexible attitude. Although we can not guarantee work to any of our contractors, by being signed up with McFoodies you will be a step closer to satisfying work that really makes a difference for your clients.
Q. How much does it cost to determine the requirements for a label?
A. This depends on the complexity of the product in terms of ingredients and label claims. It would take a McFoodies technologist 3-5 hours to set up a Summary Checklist of requirements for compliance with the ANZ Food Standards Code, for an average label. At an hourly rate of $105 + GST per hour this amounts to $315-$525 + GST per product.
Q. Is it cheaper for a range of products?
A. For a product range comprising similar ingredients there will be an overall saving in time and a reduced relative cost for the whole range.
Q. How does this cost compare with laboratory analysis?
A. Laboratory analysis costs approximately $500 and represents just the Nutrition Information Panel. (Only a few packaged products are exempt from an NIP). It can also cost more if further nutrient analysis is needed. All the other label requirements associated with your specific products still need to be determined, i.e. advisory statements & declarations, date marking format, statement of ingredients including the percentage of characterising ingredients/components etc. This can be done for you by McFoodies.
Q. How does McFoodies determine the Nutrition Information without doing laboratory analysis?
A. Most ingredients have been analysed already with information available from published databases. We collect & collate the nutritional values from these databases (or from information provided by your suppliers) and use them to calculate the nutritional composition of your product. Calculations are not as product specific as laboratory analysis but choosing this option allows the flexibility to make formulation changes and generate new nutrition values at very low cost.
Q. How long does it take McFoodies to determine the information for a label?
A. Assuming all the requested information is supplied we would normally provide a Summary Checklist for up to 3 products within 5 working days.
Q. What information will the client wanting a Label report need to provide?
A. We will require information such as formulations, product 'shelf-life', product yields for heated products, proposed package net weights and serving sizes, ingredient information such as GM status, ingredient listings of compound ingredients, presence of allergens etc. McFoodies can assist with obtaining this information if necessary.
Q. How do you protect confidentiality?
A. McFoodies provides a legal agreement declaring we act in a confidential matter with all information provided by the client.
Contact
To discuss your project with McFoodies please contact:
Janet Daniels, McFoodies Business Development Manager
Telephone: (09) 479 3846 or 021 948 006
E-mail: janetdaniels@mcfoodies.co.nz
Or Cathy McArdle, McFoodies Executive Manager
Telephone: (09) 294 6732 or 021 948 008
Email: cathy@mcfoodies.co.nz