Why do we use it and how is it

developed?

Food Packaging

Packaging FactsName any material that you can think of, and it was probably used at some time as a food packaging material. Did you know?

The earliest food packaging was provided by nature in the form of gourds, shells, leaves, hollowed logs, woven grasses, and animal organs.

The first commercial cardboard box was produced in England in 1817, more than two hundred years after the Chinese invented cardboard.

Packaging Facts

The can opener was invented in 1875.

The first glass bottle-making machines were invented in the United States in 1882.

Recycling aluminum cans saves 95 percent of the energy used to make aluminum cans from virgin ore.

Functions of Packaging

Packaging Serves FOUR Functions

Containment – Products must be contained in order to be moved from the factory to the grocery store to the pantry shelf.

Functions of Packaging

Protection – Products must be protected from physical damage (e.g. drops or falls), environmental effects (e.g. water, light, or oxygen), and contaminants (e.g. dust, microorganisms, or chemicals).

Functions of Packaging

Communication – The package must attract consumers for purchase. It also communicates product information such as nutritional content, ingredients, and net weight.

Functions of Packaging

Convenience – The package must conveniently fit into the consumer’s lifestyle.

Types of Packaging

Plastics

versatile - plastics can be flexible or rigid, and can be moulded into shapes.

resistant to acids and other chemicals

easy to print on

lightweight

cheap to produce

Types of Packaging

Glass

Advantages Disadvantages

reusable fragile

heat-resistant safety issues

recyclable

heavykeeps shape

low cost

Types of Packaging

Metal

Advantages Disadvantages

recyclablemay react with

food

lightweight safety issues

impermeableheavywithstands heat

processing

Types of Packaging

Card/Paper

Advantages Disadvantageseasy to print

on not water-resistantcheap to

producebiodegradable

easily damaged

recyclablelightweight

Sustainable PackagingEnvironmentally friendly packaging causes less damage to the environment. There are three types:

Reusable packaging can be cleaned and re-used. For example, glass milk bottles are reused.

Recyclable packaging is made of materials that can be used again, usually after processing. Recyclable materials include glass, metal, card and paper.

Biodegradable packaging will easily break down in the soil or the atmosphere

Primary packaging is seen at the point of sale. It needs to contain and protect the food product, as

well as display it and provide information.

Secondary packaging is the middle layer of packaging - for example a cardboard box with a

number of identical products inside.

Transit packaging is the outer container that allows easier handling during transfer between

factory, distribution centres and retailers

Label RequirementsLEGAL REQUIREMENTS

manufacturer's name and contact details

nutritional values of the productname of the productdescription of the productweight (some foods are exempt, for example bread)ingredients (listed in descending order of weight)cooking/heating instructionsstorage instructionsshelf lifeplace of originallergy information

Label RequirementsGOOD PRACTICE

illustration of productpricecustomer guaranteethe batch-code and bar-code numbersopening instructions