Food packaging is an essential part of food. It protects food and prevents damage from biological, chemical, and physical external factors during the transportation of food from the factory to the consumer. It can also have the function of keeping the quality of the food itself stable.
flexible packaging for food products helps brands protect food throughout the value chain, reducing food waste.
Typical applications for flexible food packaging include films for packaging foods such as cheese, flour, cookies, baking ingredients, meat, bread, and vegetables.
These films can be laminated or unlaminated and can withstand harsh environments such as freezers.
Higher film yield and dilution potential
Packaging preserves the quality of food and is also a point of attraction for customers. Most customers judge the quality of food by its packaging. The main function of food packaging is to package the food, but there are some other important benefits.
There is much more to food packaging than meets the eye. Here are some of the most important functions of food packaging:
Preserve food: Food packaging prevents air and moisture from coming into contact with food. Open food can spoil within a few hours. Properly packaged food has a longer shelf life – good news for any food manufacturer.
Protection from biological agents: Food packaging also protects food from rats, insects, germs, bacteria, and other biological agents that can spoil food or make it dangerous for consumption.
Information: We all read the labels on food. Food packaging allows brand manufacturers to include important information such as the brand name, expiration date, and ingredients on every food product sold.
Better use: food packaging also makes it easier to use products, such as milk cartons or sliced canned foods. You can store these foods according to their shelf life and use them when needed.
Packaging experts know that high-quality food packaging should have the following characteristics:
No leakage:
The material and packaging method should ensure that no food leaks after packaging.
Stable:
The packaging should be stable enough to withstand the stresses of transportation, loading, and unloading.
Food grade:
Some food packers use inferior materials to cut costs. However, these materials can chemically react with the food and compromise the integrity of the food. Therefore, the packaging material should be food-grade.
Airtight:
Food packaging should not only ensure that food does not leak, but also that air or moisture cannot enter.
Efficient:
A good food packaging solution should minimize material usage. It should use the exact amount of material needed to seal the product efficiently.
Environmentally friendly
Nowadays, more attention is being paid to environmental factors related to packaging. Efforts are being made to develop food packaging that is environmentally friendly. Good food packaging nowadays contains information about the disposal of the material used.
As a packer and end user, there are a number of ways you can reduce waste from different types of food packaging. Some of these ways include:
One important step is to use sustainable packaging. Sustainable packaging means using eco-friendly materials for packaging solutions that do not harm the environment. Cardboard is a very sustainable and recyclable material.
Providing information on how end users can recycle packaging is another step in dramatically reducing food packaging waste. Most end users throw the packaging in the trash, which creates the most waste.
Choose the right size packaging for the item you are packaging. Over-packaging is an absolute no-no. Also, use an efficient packaging method to seal the package without wasting material.