What Matters When Packaging Food? Best Methods & Tips for Safe, Attractive Food Packaging

What matters when packaging food.

What is the best way to pack? Anyone offering food will ask this question because of the many requirements for packaging: from content protection to ease of handling to the sales-promoting presentation.

The enjoyment of food is not just about exquisite recipes and good ingredients. Food also needs to be perfectly packaged. Whether for taking with you or serving: Packaging or dishes are needed to consume food and drinks. This makes it even more important for you to choose the most suitable solution for you and meet all your requirements among the many packaging solutions.

The optimal packaging:

• Protects your content.
• Is suitable for your application.
• Is easy to handle.
• Presents your goods in the best possible way.
• Is consistent with your company and ambience and appeals to your target group.

How do you find such packaging? We’ll show you below.

Protect your food

Packaging for food needs to be chosen wisely. After all, it protects very sensitive content: your food and drinks. Because they often come into direct contact with these foods, ensuring their safety is a top priority. Therefore, by far the most important packaging standard is food contact approval. Sometimes, if the glass and fork symbols are printed on the packaging, you can check whether the packaging meets food safety standards. In addition, there are special certificates or declarations of conformity that confirm approval and compliance with packaging regulations.

In addition to food safety, packaging can only protect its contents if it truly conforms to its content. Therefore, pay attention to the information about what the packaging can be used for. For example, if you are providing fatty or liquid food, it is important that the material does not get soggy. The paper or cardboard should always be coated, or you choose plastic or bagasse packaging. The temperature of food or processing is also an important factor. For example, it is important that condensation forms on the outside of the container in cold conditions. Therefore, paper cups for cold drinks require, for example, plastic outer linings. Also, ask yourself: Is the package heat-resistant during the baking process? Can I pour hot food on it? Can the material be frozen? This is the only way to ensure the safety of your food and customers. 

Choose the packaging suitable for your use.

If the packaging is suitable for your special foods and beverages or the processing itself, the next important thing is where and how it is used. Depending on the situation, one type of packaging is more appropriate than another or may provide you with useful features. There are many starting points to find the product that best suits your needs and meets all your packaging requirements because multiple factors are involved.

Use easy-to-use packaging

Packaging also serves to make your work easier and speed up your processes. Therefore, pay attention to the handling. This can include various criteria or advantages.

• Save space

This is an important factor if you work in a small sales office or have a small storage area. Flat delivered packaging is assembled only during use, bringing you real added value. If the goods are stacked together, it is also called nesting, which can also save space. Another option for a small showroom is under-packaged items. On the counter or mobile stand, you only need to prepare one part in this way while still ensuring the necessary hygiene. The “combination pack” is also particularly useful, where the bowl and a separate lid are placed together in a box. 

• Quickly in use

Especially in direct sales, speed is an important factor. Therefore, pay attention to whether the package can be quickly erected with a handle, such as an automatic bottom, or whether it has been mounted. An integrated closure also saves time.

• Packaging “Convenient”

So-called convenient packaging refers to those that are particularly convenient, practical or convenient. For example, this includes the aforementioned quick installation package. But it also includes solutions that provide different functions, such as sales packaging and transport aids at the same time or support you in sales preparation, such as snack porch Etta with an integrated napkin.

Present your offer in an appealing way

Packaging plays an important role in purchasing decisions. Optimally chosen, they will arouse the interest of customers and encourage them to buy. Emphasize your professionalism and make your food and drinks especially eye-catching. Especially on self-service counters or shelves, your offer will be displayed on the packaging. Since the food is already packaged, it is important for customers to see it. Transparent boxes and trays, as well as bags or cartons with viewing windows, are ideal choices.

But you can also set accents other than self-service. For example, fresh food stands out on black food paper or dark plates and plates due to contrast. If you put bagels or wrappers on the counter, they also attract attention. The same applies to colorful baking pans.

Tailor your packaging to your business

The packaging can not only be used as protective wrapping for content. Through its design, it also acts as an information broker, even at the unconscious level. In this role, the designed packaging will affect the buying behavior of consumers. So consider how your packaging works and what it conveys through materials and design. 

Because packaging will communicate with your customers, it will also affect the way your guests experience the atmosphere of being with you. Therefore, please pay attention to whether the packaging appearance is suitable for your company and your price range. This starts with small things like choosing the color of the napkin. But the packaging material itself also plays a role: a menu box made of expanded polystyrene foam looks different from a menu box made of bagasse made of sugarcane fibers. Thanks to its naturalness, the latter shows your customers that you are acting in an environmentally conscious manner.

Consumers also associate brown packaging with sustainability. If the paper or cardboard is printed with PEFC™ or FSC © certification, this also highlights the sustainability of the material.

The design also played a role. Seasonal patterns, especially at Christmas, create the right atmosphere for your customers and attract them. You can use a single package to create a particularly uniform image. If your logo and design can be seen on it, you can strengthen your brand and create a coherent image. Furthermore, the packaging is a profitable advertising medium, especially in the to-go business. 

Whether in a bakery or butcher shop, street corner snack bar or canteen: those who pack products intelligently and personally will eventually spark more interest and sell more. So, create a complete, coherent package suitable for your company and target group to perfectly package your enjoyment.

Read our blog on 5 tips on how to find the right carrying bag