Frequently Asked Questions

ABOUT KITCHEM

What does KitChem do?

KitChem is a food, beverage, and supplement product development and R&D company.
‍
We help clients turn product concepts into technically developed formulations that can be transferred to a commercial manufacturer.
‍
Depending on the project, our work may include formulation development, feasibility research, ingredient selection, sourcing support, bench-scale R&D, prototype development, COGS analysis, process development, and final technical documentation.

Does KitChem manufacture products?

No. KitChem is an R&D and product development partner, not a commercial manufacturer.

We develop the product and help prepare it for manufacturing. Commercial production is completed by a qualified co-packer or manufacturer selected by the client. We can share a list of co-packers we recommend as a courtesy (see Section 10).

Who leads the technical work?

KitChem's Founder, Carolina Vazquez Mitchell, leads or oversees the technical direction of our R&D projects.

The broader KitChem team supports research, sourcing, formulation work, documentation, project management, supplier communication, samples, COGS, and client coordination.

What types of products does KitChem work on?

KitChem works across a broad range of food, beverage, functional food, and dietary supplement concepts.

Examples include gummies, beverages, functional shots, powdered products, bars, confectionery, oral-care products, frozen products (ice cream, sorbets, popsicles), sauces, spreads, syrups, and other specialty food applications, with or without active ingredients such as caffeine or melatonin.

Before accepting a project, we review the concept to confirm it falls within our technical capabilities.

Can KitChem work with a product that is still just an idea?

Yes. You do not need a finished formula before contacting us. Many clients come to KitChem with a concept, target ingredients, desired claims or benefits, benchmarks, or preliminary recipes.
‍
Our job is to determine what is technically feasible and develop the product from there.

What types of products does KitChem work on?

GETTING STARTED

What information does KitChem need before providing a proposal?

We normally ask clients to complete our R&D Questionnaire. It helps us understand the product, ingredients, serving size, claims, dietary requirements, target format, packaging, shelf-life goals, manufacturing plans, benchmarks, and other technical requirements.
‍
The more complete the questionnaire, the more accurately we can scope the project. Alternatively, you can send us a product brief, statement of work, or existing recipe.

Why do I need to complete the R&D Questionnaire?

Because two products that sound very similar can require completely different levels of work. Ingredient load, serving size, sweetener restrictions, processing requirements, shelf stability, packaging, and manufacturing method can all significantly affect development.

The questionnaire allows Carolina and the R&D team to properly assess the project before we quote it.

Can you give me a price before I complete the questionnaire?

We can discuss general ranges, including our project minimums (see Section 04). A formal quote, however, requires enough technical information for us to understand the scope. Completing the R&D Questionnaire is the best way to get an accurate proposal rather than an estimate.

Do I need to sign an NDA?

It isn't required, but we recommend it for your protection. KitChem provides a Mutual NDA whenever confidential product information will be shared.

Very early exploratory conversations can sometimes happen at a high level without sensitive formulation details. We recommend signing the NDA before any proprietary formulas, processes, or confidential business information are exchanged.

What happens after I submit the questionnaire and NDA?

We schedule an intro call to walk through your concept. Our team then reviews the information with Carolina and determines the appropriate development scope. We may recommend:

• Phase 1 / Feasibility only
• Full R&D
• Another customized scope based on the project

We then prepare a formal proposal outlining the work, deliverables, pricing, timeline, and payment structure.

How long is a KitChem proposal valid?

Proposals are generally valid for two weeks unless otherwise stated, because project capacity, ingredient pricing, supplier availability, and scheduling can change.

PHASE 1 VS. FULL R&D

What is Phase 1 or Feasibility?

Phase 1 answers the major technical questions before full product development begins. Depending on the project, it may include ingredient research, ingredient-form recommendations, formulation strategy, technical feasibility, sourcing considerations, process evaluation, preliminary COGS, and identification of potential development challenges. The exact deliverables are listed in the proposal.

Phase 1 is the only phase offered as a standalone service, and there is no obligation to continue to Full R&D afterward.

Does Phase 1 include physical prototypes?

No. Phase 1 focuses on technical research and formulation assessment. Physical prototypes begin in Phase 2 of Full R&D.

Can I start with Phase 1 and decide later whether to continue?

Yes. Many clients prefer to complete feasibility before committing to the full development program. If you decide to proceed with Full R&D, the team will confirm the remaining scope and fees.

Is my Phase 1 payment credited toward Full R&D?

Yes. If you continue with the Full R&D proposal, your Phase 1 fee is automatically credited toward it. If you stop after Phase 1, no credit applies.

What is Full R&D?

Full R&D takes the product beyond feasibility through actual formulation development and refinement. A typical project progresses through:

PHASE 1 Feasibility report and proposed R&D plan, reviewed and approved by you before any lab work begins
PHASE 2 Ingredient sourcing, the first R&D round, and round-one samples shipped for your feedback
PHASE 3 Second and third R&D rounds, further samples, and formula lock once you approve the formula
PHASE 4 Final invoice, then release of the final report, batch calculator, and remaining documentation

The exact structure can vary by project.

WHERE YOU SIGN OFF

Two short client sign-off forms are used during a project. Form A approves the Phase 1 feasibility report and R&D plan before sourcing and lab work begin. Form B records your approval of the final formula (formula lock) and your decision on whether to continue to Phase 4.

If you decide to stop after formula lock, the project ends there: no final invoice is issued, the Phase 4 deliverables are not released, and nothing further is owed. See the full process in Section 15.

PRICING & PAYMENT

How much does R&D cost?

Pricing depends on technical complexity, number of SKUs, ingredients, development requirements, number of iterations, testing needs, and final deliverables. For that reason, we don't use one universal price; we review your R&D Questionnaire and prepare a project-specific quote.

As a guide, our minimums are:
‍
• Phase 1 / Feasibility: from $4,000
• Full R&D: from $8,000 per SKU

Does adding more flavors or SKUs increase the price?

Yes. Each additional SKU, flavor, variation, or significantly different formula may require additional development work. The proposal will state exactly how many SKUs or variants are included.

How are payments structured?

Payment schedules are set out in each proposal, and your contract is always the reference for exact amounts and dates. Our standard structures are:

TYPICAL PAYMENT MILESTONES

Full R&D: 50% initial payment before R&D begins. 25% invoiced after round-one samples and your feedback, with Phase 3 starting once it clears. 25% final invoice at the end of Phase 3, issued before the Phase 4 report and batch calculator are released.
Phase 1 / Feasibility (standalone): 50% before work begins and 50% before the Phase 1 report is released.

When is my project officially scheduled to start?

Your start date is secured once the signed contract and proposal, initial payment, and onboarding information have all been received. Projects generally start the Monday after these are in place.

If any of these, or required ingredients, are delayed, the project may need to be rescheduled based on current R&D capacity.

Are ingredients, testing, and shipping included in the R&D fee?

It depends on the proposal. Specialized or unusually expensive ingredients, third-party laboratory testing, expedited or international shipping, and other project-specific expenses will be billed separately.

We will always notify you of significant additional costs before proceeding with them.

TIMELINES

How long does product development take?

Our target timeline is 8–12 weeks from Phase 1 through Phase 4. Your proposal will state the expected timeline for your project.

Timing can be affected by formulation complexity, ingredient sourcing, supplier lead times, prototype performance, client feedback, laboratory testing, number of revisions, and manufacturing requirements.

What can delay a project?

Common causes include delayed client feedback, approvals or payments; ingredient shortages and specialty sourcing; supplier response times; unexpected formulation challenges; additional revision requests or scope changes; and third-party testing.

Can my project be expedited?

Possibly. Expedited work depends on current laboratory capacity, ingredient availability, and project complexity. The team must review and confirm any expedite request.

Can I pause my project?

In many cases, yes. However, a long pause may affect the original schedule. When you're ready to resume, the project may need to be placed back into the active R&D schedule based on current availability.

FORMULATION & PROTOTYPES

Can KitChem work with ingredients I already selected?

Yes. You can provide preferred ingredients, target dosages, an existing formula, scientific references, competitor products, or other requirements. Our R&D team will review them from a formulation and processing standpoint and may recommend adjustments where necessary.

What happens if one of my requested ingredients does not work?

Carolina and the R&D team will explain the technical issue and, where appropriate, recommend alternative forms, levels, ingredients, processing methods, or formulation strategies.

An ingredient may look good on paper but still create problems with taste, texture, stability, solubility, active load, pH, processing, or manufacturing.

Can KitChem guarantee that every requested ingredient will fit into the product?

No. Ingredient compatibility and loading must be evaluated technically. This is particularly important for products with high active loads, strong-tasting ingredients, minerals, botanicals, fibers, proteins, electrolytes, or ingredients with processing limitations.

Our goal is to get as close as technically possible to your target while maintaining a viable product.

Can KitChem match a competitor product?

A competitor product can be used as a benchmark for taste, texture, sweetness, appearance, format, or overall experience. However, development is not an exact chemical duplication of another company's proprietary formula.

How many prototype rounds are included?

Full R&D includes three R&D rounds, each followed by samples for your feedback. Revisions are not unlimited; if you request development beyond the contracted scope, the team may provide an additional quote.

Can I send KitChem a benchmark or sample?

Yes. Benchmarks are extremely helpful when you want us to understand a specific flavor, texture, chew, consistency, appearance, or sensory target. The team will provide shipping instructions when needed.

TESTING & SHELF LIFE

Does KitChem perform laboratory testing?

KitChem performs the bench-scale R&D activities appropriate to formulation development. Formal analyses, such as microbiological testing, assay testing, heavy metals, formal stability studies, or other specialized analytical work, typically require a qualified third-party laboratory. The exact testing requirements depend on the product.

Does KitChem perform shelf-life testing?

Not formal validation. KitChem provides formulation and technical guidance on shelf stability, but commercial shelf-life claims generally require stability and/or microbiological testing by a third-party laboratory.

Can I use my own laboratory?

Potentially, yes. If you have access to a qualified laboratory, university, manufacturer, or testing partner, we can discuss how that testing fits into the development program. Testing should ideally be coordinated with the R&D team before samples are submitted.

Who pays for third-party testing?

Third-party laboratory testing is a separate project expense paid by the client. The exact arrangement should be confirmed before testing begins.

REGULATORY & CLAIMS

Does KitChem provide regulatory guidance?

KitChem may provide formulation-related regulatory considerations and practical guidance within the agreed scope. Formal legal or regulatory approval, label compliance, claims substantiation, and commercialization responsibilities may require qualified regulatory professionals, legal counsel, manufacturers, or testing laboratories.

Does KitChem guarantee that a product can make a specific health claim?

No. Product formulation and claim substantiation are separate issues. Claims depend on ingredient levels, scientific evidence, product classification, labeling rules, testing, and applicable regulations.

COGS & INGREDIENT SOURCING

Can KitChem calculate my product cost?

When included in the project scope, KitChem prepares a COGS analysis using available ingredient pricing and formulation quantities, so you can understand the approximate ingredient cost of the developed product.

Is the COGS calculation the final manufacturing cost?

No. A KitChem COGS analysis is an estimate based on available ingredient information. Final commercial cost may also include manufacturing fees, packaging, labor, freight, minimum order quantities, testing, warehousing, margins, and other expenses set by the manufacturer. Supplier pricing may also change over time.

Does KitChem source ingredients?

When included in the project, KitChem assists with ingredient research, supplier identification, samples, COAs, and sourcing recommendations. Some specialty ingredients may have minimum order quantities, long lead times, import requirements, high costs, or limited availability.

What happens if an ingredient is difficult to source?

We will communicate the issue and decide with you whether to keep sourcing the ingredient, use an alternative supplier, change the ingredient form, adjust the formulation, or pursue another technical solution.

MANUFACTURING & CO-PACKERS

Will KitChem find my manufacturer?

KitChem can share co-packer suggestions and introductions when available. These are provided as a courtesy unless manufacturer sourcing is specifically included as a paid service.

Does KitChem qualify or guarantee recommended co-packers?

No. Clients are responsible for their own commercial and operational due diligence before selecting a manufacturer. A courtesy introduction or list does not mean KitChem guarantees that facility's pricing, capabilities, quality systems, certifications, availability, or commercial suitability.

Can the KitChem formula be transferred to a manufacturer?

Yes. Commercial transfer is one of the main goals of the development process. Final technical documentation may include the approved formulation, process information, batch calculations, ingredient information, and other materials needed to communicate the product to a manufacturer. The exact deliverables depend on the project.

Does KitChem guarantee successful commercial scale-up?

No. We develop formulations with commercial transfer in mind, but production also depends on the manufacturer's equipment, process, ingredients, packaging, quality systems, and operating conditions. Manufacturer validation and production trials may therefore be required.

FINAL DELIVERABLES

What do I receive at the end of the project?

Final deliverables vary by project but may include the finalized formulation, final R&D report, ingredient information, process or SOP documentation, batch calculator, sourcing information, and other technical documentation identified in the proposal. The contract and proposal define the official deliverables.

What is the batch calculator?

The batch calculator converts the finalized formulation into different batch sizes. It is useful when communicating the formula to a manufacturer or planning larger-scale production. The manufacturer must still validate the formula and process on its own equipment.

When will I receive the final documentation?

Final deliverables are released in Phase 4, once the agreed R&D work is complete and the final invoice has been paid.

FORMULA OWNERSHIP & CONFIDENTIALITY

Who owns my final formula?

Ownership terms are defined in the signed agreement. Generally, once the project is complete and all required payments have been made, the client receives the rights to the finalized client-specific formulation and deliverables as described in the contract.

Does KitChem retain any intellectual property?

KitChem retains its pre-existing knowledge, general know-how, methodologies, templates, systems, processes, and other background intellectual property. Developing a client's product does not transfer ownership of KitChem's general R&D methods or internal tools.

Is my product information confidential?

Yes. KitChem treats client information confidentially in accordance with the applicable NDA and project agreement.

CHANGES & ADDITIONAL WORK

Can I change the product after development has started?

Yes, but significant changes can affect the project scope. Changing ingredients, serving size, format, claims, sweetener system, dietary requirements, number of SKUs, packaging requirements, or other major specifications may require additional R&D.

What happens if I request work that is outside the proposal?

The team will review the request and determine whether it can be handled within the existing scope. If it requires meaningful additional work, we will provide a separate quote or scope extension before proceeding.

COMMUNICATION

Who should I contact about my project?

Operational questions: Casee and the Operations team coordinate scheduling, contracts, questionnaires, invoices, documents, samples, follow-ups, and project status.

Technical questions: Carolina and the R&D team handle technical and formulation direction.

When will I meet with Carolina?

Technical calls are scheduled after the Phase 1 report and after each R&D round to review results, discuss feedback, and align on next steps. The Operations team will coordinate Carolina's availability and send meeting details.

How can I help keep my project on schedule?

Provide clear requirements, and respond promptly when the team requests feedback, approvals, samples, documents, payments, or technical decisions. Product development is collaborative, and timely feedback prevents avoidable delays.

THE SIMPLE VERSION

What is the overall KitChem process?

Concept → R&D Questionnaire + NDA → Intro Call → Proposal & Contract + Initial Payment → Onboarding → Phase 1 Report → Report Approval (Form A) → Ingredient Sourcing → 1st R&D Round → Samples & Feedback → Second Payment → 2nd R&D Round → Samples & Feedback → 3rd R&D Round → Samples & Feedback → Formula Lock (Form B) → Final Invoice → Final Report, Batch Calculator & Documentation → Manufacturing Transfer

The exact process may vary by project, but this is the general path from initial inquiry to a production-ready formulation.

What is the most important thing clients should understand before starting?

KitChem's role is to develop the product technically and prepare it for commercialization. Formulation development, commercial manufacturing, regulatory approval, laboratory validation, packaging, and market launch are related, but they are not the same service. Your proposal clearly defines which parts KitChem will handle.

Questions about your project? Talk to us.

Operational questions go to Casee and the Operations team; technical and formulation questions go to Carolina and the R&D team.

Frequently asked questions