Packaging

1. Food Packaging Considerations

  • Protection: Against contamination, moisture, oxygen, light, pests, and physical damage.
  • Preservation: Extends shelf life (MAP, vacuum sealing, aseptic packaging).
  • Convenience: Easy handling, resealable packs, portion packs.
  • Communication: Nutritional info, branding, QR codes, traceability.
  • Sustainability: Using eco-friendly and recyclable materials.

2. Types of Food Packaging Materials Used

  • Glass: Non-reactive, reusable, for beverages, pickles, sauces.
  • Metal (tin/aluminum cans): For processed foods, soft drinks.
  • Plastic (PET, HDPE, LDPE, PP): Lightweight, versatile (bottles, pouches) for oils.
  • Paper & cardboard: Dry foods, bakery, cereals, takeaway boxes.
  • Biodegradable/eco-friendly: PLA (corn-based plastic), bagasse, edible films.

3. Packaging Technologies

  • Vacuum packaging: Removes air for longer shelf life.
  • Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP): Controls O₂, CO₂, N₂ levels for fresh produce, meat.
  • Aseptic packaging: Sterilized product + sterile container for juices, UHT milk.
  • Active packaging: Absorbers/releasers (e.g., oxygen scavengers, moisture absorbers).
  • Smart packaging: QR codes, freshness indicators, RFID tags.

4. Packaging by Food Category

  • Grains & pulses → Jute bags, laminated pouches.
  • Dairy → Aseptic cartons, PET bottles, glass bottles.
  • Fruits & vegetables → Perforated films, trays with MAP.
  • Snacks & bakery → Metallized films, zip-lock pouches.
  • Ready-to-eat foods → Retort pouches, microwavable trays.

5. Sustainability in Food Packaging

  • Reduce: Lightweight packaging to cut waste.
  • Reuse: Glass jars, refill packs.
  • Recycle: Paper, PET bottles, aluminum cans.
  • Innovations: Edible coatings (e.g., chitosan, starch films), compostable trays.

6. Regulatory & Safety Standards

  • Compliance with food safety laws (e.g., FDA, FSSAI, EU regulations).
  • Labels include:
    • Nutritional facts
    • Ingredients
    • Expiry/best-before date
    • Storage instructions
    • Traceability codes/barcodes

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