Food packaging is crucial to keep the contents safe from contamination, damage, and tampering. It also helps the consumer determine the amount of the product contents and show important information.

Because different types of food have different packaging requirements, there are various food packaging materials. These materials address certain functional and branding needs. Some of the most popular packaging types are:

• Bags
• Cans
• Aseptic processing
• Wrappers
• Cartons
• Boxes
• Trays
• Pallets
• Flexible packaging

Bags

Bags are often made of a thin, plastic material that keeps food away from external elements such as air. Foods that can be bagged include fruit, vegetables, and snacks.

The term “bags” can also apply to multi-barrier foil, plastic, and paper pouches used commonly for FMCGs in the retail environment. These can be customized in various styles and sizes, depending on the food type and the your preferences.

Cans

Cans are containers made of steel or thin metal and coated with tin to prevent corrosion. Because they are opaque, they are best at storing food and protecting it from light.

You can use cans for packaging various foods such as fruit, vegetables, soup, gravy, and meat.

Aseptic Processing

Aseptic refers to both process and packaging that isolates the food product from bacteria as much as possible. This kind of packaging is made of a blend of paper and aluminum with a polyethylene layer.

It is best suited for foods that should be kept sterile, such as liquid eggs, milk, liquid products containing milk, and processed foods that need to be stored for extended periods of time.

Wrappers

Wrappers are thin plastic bags ideal for protecting food from the elements. They are great for packaging granola bars and candy.

Cartons

Cartons are made of corrugated cardboard. It is often coated with paraffin or plastic to make it moisture resistant. There are various food packaging cartons as listed below:

Folding cartons:

These come as flat cardboard pieces and are assembled by the food manufacturer.

Egg cartons:

Just as the name suggests, egg cartons are for packaging eggs. They have egg-shaped molds to keep the egg safe during transportation.

Gable-top cartons:

This carton comes with gables at the top where the consumer only needs to pinch the gable and pull it to open. It is popularly used to package drinks such as milk and juice.

Aseptic cartons:

The carton material of this kind is developed for aseptic qualities. It can be used to package juice, milk, and other drinks.

Boxes

One of the most prevalent types of food packaging is boxes. This is also one of the most basic and familiar formats for many consumers.

They can be made of corrugated fiberboard, wood, or metal, which makes them more damage-resistant. They are often used for foods such as frozen pizza, cereal, and snack crackers.

Trays

Trays are made of flat, sturdy paperboard raised at the edges to keep the product within the container. They are effective for packaging meat, drinks, and plant seeds.

Pallets

Pallets are used to transport several food containers. For added security, the products are often shrink-wrapped.

Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging is non-rigid and can take on various shapes. Just like bags, it keeps the contents safe from the environment and prolongs their shelf-life. Bagged salad pouches and vacuum sealed coffee bags are prime examples of flexible packaging.

Best Packaging for Your Food Products

Invest in your product’s look to entice customers into purchasing from you. Everything about food protective pouch packaging, from the material to the design, requires strategy, technical skills, and creativity to stand out.