NXTCPG field intelligence

What gets built.
What wins.

FORMULATED TO PERFORM · BUILT TO SELL

Clear thinking for founders making consequential decisions about formulas, margins, manufacturers, claims, packaging, and launch.

THE LAB LEDGER06Published field notes

FEATURE / 01

Source & produceOct 26, 202613 min read

What Is Sensory Analysis? Methods Food & Beverage Brands Use

What sensory analysis is, how discrimination, descriptive, and hedonic tests differ for food and beverage brands, and what to ask a co-packer.

Source & produceOct 25, 2026

What retort processing is, how a retort pouch differs from a can and from aseptic packaging, and which FDA or USDA questions to ask a co-packer.

Source & produceOct 25, 2026

What cGMP means for food and dietary-supplement brands, which FDA rules apply, and what to ask a co-manufacturer.

Source & produceOct 25, 2026

What MOQ means, why a co-packer or supplier sets a minimum, the units that minimum can use, and what to ask before a CPG launch.

Source & produceOct 24, 2026

What co-packing is, how a co-packer differs from a co-manufacturer and private label, and the questions that decide whether a plant can run your SKU.

informationalAug 27, 2026

People buy a high-protein, zero-sugar product a second time when the first use is sensorially complete, physically comfortable, easy to repeat, and…

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