Choosing Food Packaging

Important considerations when selecting the right food packaging

By Chris Bekermeier 

Making a great food product is important, but almost as equally important is the food packaging. Think about the roles that food packaging must fulfill: The right food packaging protects your food from contaminants and potential damage, makes the customer want to buy the product and clearly states the product’s ingredients and certifications for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions.

The following considerations are important to keep in mind when selecting the right food packaging options to ensure food safety and attractiveness to consumers. 

Choosing Food Packaging Materials

Before you do anything else, determine which food packaging materials are ideal for your product. Evaluate the material’s barrier properties — that is, how it keeps out moisture and oxygen. A lack of oxygen slows the spoiling of many foods and maintains the flavor and crispness. For example, when packaging almonds, the air inside the bag is replaced with nitrogen, to prevent the almonds from going rancid. This is called “modified atmosphere packaging,” where the oxygen is removed and another gas is used to fill the container or bag.