The packaging you choose has to match the packaging needs of your product and the way it is going to be stored, transported and displayed. It also needs to match your customers' expectations.

Factors to consider are:

1. Temperature - does your product need to be kept cool? Is the packaging for frozen goods freezer-proof, which means can it withstand tempertures as low as -20°C without breaking or becoming porous? Can it withstand temperature of 121°C or 95°C if the product needs to be sterilized or pasteurized? Can it withstand hot temperature when filled with hot product without deforming or releasing toxins into the food?

2. Barrier qualities - does the packaging provide the necessary barrier agains leakage, oxygen, moisture, contamination? Do you need to use special lids that work for oil-containing products or can release pressure? Is your product protected against pests (moths, beetles, etc.)

3. UV-protection - does your product need protection against light in order to avoid oxidation (rancidity or discoloration)?

4. Consumer convenience - is the packaging re-sealable, easy to open, convenient to handle, light-weight, etc.?

5. Safety - is your product protected during shipping, transport and storage against breakage, damage, or deformation?

6. Cost - Many packaging materials are only available at certain quantities. Consider your needs and the relative cost of the packaging material compared to your product cost and the end price the consumer is willing to pay for your product. Also consider the weight and bulkiness of the packagaing material, as this has an impact on transport costs.

Watch this video on different plastic bag/pouch packaging options. It discusses the cost factor as well as the image a packaging carries, which are important factors to consider for a start-up. It is adapted from a video by @MarketingFoodOnline. You can find the full version here.

Type of material

advantages

disadvantages

Suitable for

Glass

Non-toxic, heat resistant, protection against odors, suitable for all kinds of foods, product visibility, durable, reusable & recycable, high barrier quality, different shapes and sizes, strong, high quality & eco-friendly image

Breakable, heavy, no or low UV-protection, high cost

Liquids, pastes, sterilized foods, acidic foods, oily foods

Cans

Good strength to weight ratio, very good barrier quality, long storage capacity, heat resistant, UV-protection

Corrosive, no protection against heat, toxisity issues with certain (acidic) foods and types of lining, needs equipment

Foods in liquids, pastes, oily foods, suitable for slightly acidic foods, sterilized foods

Paper

Non toxic, recycable & biodegradable, easy to print on, lightweight, UV protection, can be combined with celoophane windows or protective layers, organic & eco-friendly image, low cost, easy to handle

Minimal strength and protection against damage, minimal barrier qualities, no to low protection against moisture

Baked goods, ready to eat sandwiches, etc., high-end snacks

Carton/cardboard

Very good strength to weight ratio, low cost, UV-prootection, can be combined with other packaging materails to provide barries & strength, can be printed, reusable, recycable and biodegradable

Not moisture-proof, only low protection against heat or cold

Dry foods, like cereals, cookies, frozen food, etc. transport boxes

Plastic

Good barrier qualities, sealable, wide variety of forms, sizes and shapes (e.g. pouches, sachets, trays, films, bottles, etc.)

Only few types are recycable or biodegradable, not eco-friendly & cheap image, breakable, not all types are heat resistant, no protection against heat, only colored types provide UV protection

Moist foods like fresh meats, dairy products, liquids, foods that need protection from drying out , like fresh vegetables, etc. dried foods, freeze-dried powders, salty and sugary foods, etc.


 

Last modified: Wednesday, 20 September 2023, 11:10 AM