Contract Packing

Gourmet Classic can offer an efficient, professional, quality focused liquid blending and packing service

ABOUT OUR SERVICE

At Gourmet Classic we specialise in providing comprehensive liquid blending and packing services for businesses of all sizes. From startups to established global brands, we provide the expertise, resources and flexibility to deliver results. With a strong commitment to quality, reliability and client satisfaction, we have earned a reputation as a leading name in bag in box and jerry can filling in the contract packing industry

OUR FACILITIES & CAPABILITIES

We operate a BRCGS AA grade facility with a fully automatic bag-in-box production line. This is the highest rating under the BRCGS Food Safety Standard. In a liquid BIB facility, AA certification means every stage—from raw material intake to filling and packing—meets strict hygiene, traceability, and process control standards.
Our operations follow a documented HACCP system, with tight monitoring of critical points to prevent contamination. Staff adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices, while allergen controls, environmental checks, and cross-contamination prevention are regularly reviewed. The facility is designed for hygiene, with controlled airflow and cleanable surfaces.

VINEGARS – OUR NEW PRODUCTS

After 27 years Gourmet Classic the inventors of cooking wine in the UK are breaking into the Vinegar market for food service with 9 food service vinegars. We have ordered a fully automatic jerry can filling line from a UK manufacturer and have even partnered with a UK injection moulding company to blow our own PET plastic bottles 5 and 2 litre, along with the cheaper jerry can we can compete with anyone else in this market. From January 2026 we will offer the jerry can line for contract packing.

Automated bag-in-box liquid filling line at Gourmet Classic, Ringwood. In a hygiene-controlled facility

Automatic box erector loading cartons for bag-in-box contract packing

Bag-in-box cartons before entering the box sealing stage

Bag-in-box liner with integrated dispensing tap before filling

Smurfit Kappa BIB 700 bag-in-box filler machine — liquid contract packing UK

Automatic box sealing machine used in bag-in-box (BIB) packing of liquids. Open topped boxes can be seen before and after the sealing stage that closes cartons and glues the top down

Shrink-wrapped packaged goods prepared for distribution

Bag in Box

Our Smurfit Kappa BIB 700 line has automatic Box assembly and an automatic Bag-in-Box filling machine which is designed for high-speed, and efficient filling of liquid products into any size bag in box up to 10 litre.
It features a new generation filling valve with separate vacuum and Nitrogen circuits for minimal oxygen pickup, thus extending shelf life.
The machine automates the entire process from bag supply to box insertion, with features like automatic bag separation, vacuuming, filling, capping, and packing. The BIB 700 is known for its speed, reliability, and focus on hygiene and accurate filling

Cold Brew Coffee

Gourmet Classic have been working with cold brew coffee since 2017 and have gained valuable experience and knowledge in the cold brew industry. We have 2 dedicated cold brew tanks that we built and designed ourselves. We have continued to invest in our cold brew production facilities and recent improvements have resulted in increased yields. We can work with you to help develop your own blend of cold brew or you can simply give us your requirements and we can assist and advise if required. We use our cross-flow filtration system and then fill the coffee into bag-in-box or Arlington bags for onward processing and packing. Our MOQ for a cold brew coffee production run is 5,000 Litres

Industrial flash pasteuriser with stainless pipework and control panel for rapid heat treatment of liquids

Flash pasteurizer used for liquid food contract packing - extends product shelf life

Pasteurization

For BIB contract packing, product safety, shelf life, and flavor retention are essential. We use a high-performance flash pasteurizer built for quality and speed.
With up to 80% heat recovery, it reduces energy costs and while delivering consistent results.
It has automated CIP/SIP cleaning, minimizing downtime and enabling fast product changeovers ideal for dynamic production needs.
Partner with us for reliable, efficient contract packing that protects your product and boosts your brand.

Filtration

0.2 Micron Crossflow Filtration – This step continuously sweeps away retained particulates and microorganisms, preventing membrane fouling and delivering consistent, high-clarity fluid with minimal product loss.
0.5 Micron Pre-Filter – Protects downstream membranes by removing larger particulates and sediments, extending membrane life and reducing cleaning frequency.
0.45 Micron Final Absolute Filters – Immediately upstream of the filling spout, absolute-rated 0.45 micron cartridge filters provide a final barrier against any residual contaminants. This certified retention rating ensures every bag meets the strictest microbial and particulate specifications, protecting shelf-life, flavour integrity and consumer safety.

Food-grade filtration units used for final filtration immediately before automatic liquid filling to Bag in Box (BIB)

Overhead view of large-capacity blending tanks with pipework connections for controlled liquid transfer. In the background are racks loaded with palleted Bag in Box (BIB) liquid products

Overhead view of stainless steel tank tops and access hatches used for inspection, cleaning, and processing. In the background are palleted storage

26,000 litre Speidel stainless steel tank for blending or storage - Gourmet Classic

Tanks

We have 13 Speidel tanks ranging from 8,000 to 26,000 litres, 1 of our 26,000 tanks has a temperature-controlled jacket
These stainless steel tanks are precision engineered vessels, and are constructed from high-grade, food-safe AISI 304 stainless steel, they resist corrosion and prevent flavour taint. Their seamless, electropolished interiors provide a perfectly smooth surface that minimises microbial harbouring and simplifies cleaning.
With its robust construction and hygienic design our Speidel stainless tanks are the backbone of a wine, maturation and blending operations—delivering consistency, efficiency and total quality control

REVERSE OSMOSIS (RO) WATER IN FOOD AND DRink

RO water is a clean, reliable base for food manufacturing. It ensures flavour consistency, safety, and quality.For all products we produce, we use RO water which we store in a 20,000lt tank. RO water is filtered through a special process that removes impurities like chlorine, hard water salts, and bacteria, leaving clean, neutral-tasting water.
This makes it ideal for use in producing beverages and other liquid food products. It has no strong taste or minerals, so it doesn’t interfere with added flavours or ingredients. This helps create consistent, great-tasting products no matter where the water originally came from.
Not only does RO water help protect the shelf life and quality of food products, it also reduces the chance of unwanted chemical reactions between water and other food ingredients.

Reverse osmosis water filtration system used in food production

MOQ for Start Up Businesses

Our MOQ is 5,000 Litres, with a 1,000 Litres trial recommended for blended products.

To discuss your requirements please call 01202 863040 or contact us here

Interior of the Gourmet Classic HMRC Trade Facility bonded warehouse at Ringwood, Hampshire, used for storing goods under duty suspension for contract packing clients

HMRC TRADE FACILITY WAREHOUSE

Gourmet Classic also operates a HMRC Trade Facility Warehouse (bonded). This facility allows us to store authorised goods under duty suspension, providing significant logistical and financial advantages for businesses dealing with imported goods or those requiring deferred duty payments.
Contact us to discuss packing under Bond
By using our HMRC Trade Facility, our clients can enjoy greater flexibility in managing their inventory while minimising costs associated with import duties and taxes. This service ensures that goods can be stored in compliance with HMRC regulations while maintaining the highest levels of security and control.

Quality assurance & Expertise

Our on-site laboratory is fully equipped to support comprehensive testing and quality control throughout the production process. We have a dedicated and experienced technical team that works closely with our production staff to maintain the highest standards across our entire facility, ensuring every stage of production meets strict food safety and quality requirements. We work in full compliance with our BRCGS Food Safety certification, which guides our processes and underpins our dedication to producing safe, high-quality products.
The Quality Assurance team conduct internal audits and testing, supported by unannounced inspections from BRCGS. QR-coded labels and digital batch records ensure full traceability and rapid issue resolution. We maintain continuous improvement through data analysis, corrective actions, and strong oversight

On-site laboratory for food safety testing and quality control

Production

Our production team is rigorously trained to uphold the highest standards of quality assurance, food safety, and excellent manufacturing principles. By embedding these standards into our daily operations, we ensure that all products are manufactured under the strictest conditions, giving our clients the confidence that every item packed at Gourmet Classic is safe, consistent, and of the highest quality.

Testimonial – The Brief

One of the World’s premier drinks brands sought to expand its product offering of concentrated post-mix syrups. However, the client faced a critical challenge; the presence of microbes in the sugary syrups, which compromised the quality and shelf life of the products.
In search of a solution, the brand needed a new contract packing partner capable of ensuring the syrups were packed hygienically and without microbial contamination. The task was clear — deliver a safe, efficient, and quality-controlled packing process that would meet the rigorous standards required for the global drinks industry.
The initial phase of the project involved two products in 2,000 litres of syrup, which were trial-packed to ensure adherence to the client’s stringent quality control measures.

OUR SOLUTION

At Gourmet Classic, quality and food safety are our top priorities. We adhere to the strictest industry standards to ensure that every step of the production process is carefully monitored and tested, giving our clients peace of mind and confidence in the final product.
To address the issue of microbial contamination in the client’s syrups, we implemented a rigorous and multi-step quality control procedure. Our approach began with the careful sourcing of ingredients from our approved suppliers, ensuring that all raw materials met the highest food safety and quality standards.
In collaboration with cleaning solution experts, we designed a targeted program to use the correct chemicals and cleaning agents to eliminate any potential microbes before and after the packing process. This meticulous attention to detail ensured that the syrups were packed in a sterile environment, greatly reducing the risk of contamination.
Throughout the entire process, we carried out regular microbial testing. Samples were taken before, during, and after the blending and packing stages to ensure that the syrups remained free from any harmful bacteria or contaminants. These samples were independently tested by an accredited laboratory, giving our client reliable, third-party validation of the results.
To ensure full transparency and collaboration, our client was present on-site during the blending and packing process. They were able to document relevant data and observe the procedures as needed, with our team providing full support and assistance every step of the way.

The Outcome

Thanks to the rigorous quality control and food safety procedures we implemented, the client received the final product with microbe counts well within the acceptable range, ensuring the syrups were safe and compliant with industry standards.
In subsequent production runs, no increase in microbe counts was detected, confirming that there was no cross-contamination or continuing microbial issues. The consistency of the results over time further validated the effectiveness of the packing process we developed.
As a result of the successful trials, the client continued to place additional orders for new product samples, with each batch being packed and tested to the same high standards. The positive outcomes from these smaller runs gave the client the confidence they needed to scale up their production.
Gourmet Classic supported the client in transitioning to full-scale production, ensuring that every batch was packed with the same level of precision and safety. The collaboration not only resolved the initial microbial contamination issue but also paved the way for a long-term partnership, built on trust, quality, and reliable results.