Hello . First time poster.

I have come up with a set of recipes/food products that I would like to consider marketing, but I'm unsure what's involved when it comes to using other branded products in my own. For example, I have recipes for special flavored oatmeals that are obviously based on Quaker's core product. Usually the flavoring is branded also. I would like to be able to market my product under its own name but I would also like to name the branded flavorings also to increase appeal. Where does this leave me? Thanks!

Using the brand name in your list of ingredients is fine ONLY if you have permission of the trademark owner. This name alone will not meet your ingredients list requirements, and you will have to include the list of ingredients in your list.

For example: Ingredients: Sugar, water, Quaker(TM) brand Oatmeal (Quaker's ingredients' list), vanilla...

etc.

I have yet to have a brand name turn me down for permission to use their brand in my list; but then, the only brand ingredients I have used are brands of liquor.

Fwiw, you will be required to obtain their permission EVERY time you print their name, so it could become a real PITA to use anything other than a description of the product and their list.

Some company's will want to charge you a licensing fee as well.

Tina Brooks, VP Marketing
Brooks Pepperfire Foods, Inc.
Makers of Peppermaster Hot Sauces
http://www.peppermaster.com

Eat more peppers!