The CPG Blueprint: How to Create Perfect Product Spec Sheets

The blueprint behind successful product specifications, especially in the food production sector, lies in understanding the most important components.

I Stock 2149784556
iStock/NVS

Editor's note: This is sponsored content.

CPG is a highly competitive industry and detailed product specifications can help manufacturers stand out in a crowded field. Firms that master product specification sheets can offer a seamless, scalable process while avoiding errors. The blueprint behind successful product specifications, especially in the food production sector, lies in understanding the most important components. 

Components of Product Specifications 

Product specifications are the detailed documents that enumerate all the details about the product - everything from physical properties to materials content, production processes, and packaging standards. Following a product specification sheet reassures customers that your products will remain consistently high-quality and built to expectations. In food development, creating a spec sheet requires alignment between manufacturer teams, suppliers, and regulatory agencies. 

Whether you are dealing with a contract manufacturer, ingredient suppliers, or a packaging company, the product spec sheet puts everyone on the same page. It reduces misunderstanding and gets new products to market at the speeds that today's consumers demand. Spec sheets are also great marketing tools. Sharing a manufacturer's capabilities on databases such as Keychain.com can help businesses reach a wider clientele. 

When developing a product spec sheet for a CPG product, there are several components manufacturers must include. Each section ensures the product is reproducible and all stakeholders understand exactly what needs to be done.

  • Product Description: The product description is a high-level overview that describes a product's purpose and core features. In a food product, this would involve information on flavor profiles, target customer demographics, and potential use cases. 
  • Ingredients or Raw Materials: This ingredient section is particularly critical for food products, as they must adhere to stringent regulations. A comprehensive ingredients list includes quantities used or their percentages and quality-specific requirements like organic or non-GMO.  Suppliers and, where relevant, regulatory certifications like Kosher, Halal, or Fair Trade, should also be specified. In food manufacturing, Transparency in ingredient sourcing is a competitive advantage as more customers want their purchased goods to be ethically sourced.
  • Manufacturing Process: The manufacturing sequence, including equipment, production time, and quality control checkpoints, is described in clear detail. This section should also explicitly refer to special handling requirements, such as refrigeration. There should also be information related to food safety, such as cooking times, temperatures, and contamination risks.
  • Packaging and Labeling Requirements: Packaging is part and parcel of product specifications, especially when dealing with consumer goods. The packaging section outlines the material used to pack the products, its dimensions, and any special handling instructions. For example, most consumables need packaging that reduces the effects of moisture or light. Importantly, labeling requirements must follow regulations. This includes nutrition facts, ingredients used, and allergen warnings for food products. 
  • Shelf Life and Storage: The spec sheet should provide information on how to keep any food product fresh and safe to consume.  Manufacturers can share the best storage conditions (temperature, humidity) and handling instructions so that products reach the shelves at the peak of quality.
  • Quality Assurance and Testing: Product specs also contain data on quality control and testing parameters. This can refer to tests for microbiological conditions, allergens, or taste. Well-defined quality assurance parameters help manufacturers closely monitor product safety and avert the need for recalls.

Designing a Product Spec Sheet for Food Products 

Manufacturers can follow a systematic process for developing a product spec sheet. The first stage is developing a prototype through Research and Development (R&D). Food scientists experiment with ingredients, flavor, and texture. During this phase, the product's primary attributes like taste and its nutritional value are adjusted to align with consumer trends, material costs, and safety.

After finalizing the prototype, all products undergo nutritional analysis. The goal is to ensure that all products meet regulatory labeling standards. This would further influence ingredient sourcing and product positioning in the market.

The spec sheet itself needs a regulatory review to check alignment with agency regulations. This is particularly critical for products labeled low-fat or high in protein, as health claims are subjected to more rigorous standards. 

Manufacturers can then finalize their supplier list for ingredients and packaging materials to ensure that they will meet the quality and regulatory standards outlined in the spec sheet. But before producing the goods on a large scale, manufacturers can run a pilot production to test the product under realistic conditions. This would ensure that the product can be reliability reproduced according to all specifications. 

Conclusion 

Product specification sheets form the backbone of quality, efficiency, and compliance in the CPG industry. Developing and maintaining detailed specifications are a core competency for food manufacturers. From ingredients all the way to packaging, well-defined features guarantee manufacturers a smooth production process that can consistently deliver high-quality merchandise to the consumer.

More in Operations