The complete guide to finding your food packaging | RAJA
8min read
08/07/2021
The choice of food packaging can hide many pitfalls for food professionals!
Not only do you have to comply with current legislation, ensuring that the packaging is suitable for food contact, but you also have to take into account the customer experience, whether your food is delivered to their home or purchased for fast food.
With this article we want to help you find the perfect food packaging for your business. Follow our guide and discover the characteristics of good food packaging.
What are the characteristics of good food packaging?
You may have done some research and realised that there is a lot of packaging for your food products.
The ideal food packaging for your business must:
- Respect food safety
- Comply with current regulations, e.g. by choosing only materials suitable for food contact such as PET plastic
- Keep the food as it is until final delivery, without damaging it
- Be adapted to your delivery method, be it take-away, e-commerce delivery or fast food
- Create a memorable customer experience and a good brand image
With these basic requirements in mind, you are ready to make the right choice from all the products available on the market!
What does Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament say?
You have probably heard about the European Union’s desire to limit if not ban the use of single-use plastic items. Directive (EU) 2019/904 was created for this very purpose, but do you know what it is?
Directive (EU) 2019/904 or the Single Use Plastic (SUP) Directive is an EU regulatory intervention that bans the use of certain single-use plastic products for which there are commercially available alternatives.
Why was this decision taken?
The multi-functionality and relatively low cost of plastics make them a ubiquitous material in everyday life Although plastics play a useful role in the economy and have essential applications in many sectors, their increasingly widespread use in short-life applications, which are neither reusable nor recycled efficiently results in increasingly inefficient and linear production and consumption patterns Therefore, in the European Plastics Strategy the Commission concluded that, for the life cycle of plastics to become circular, a solution must be found for the increasing generation of plastic waste and for the dispersion of plastic waste in our environment, in particular in the marine environment. This directive promotes circular approaches that favour sustainable and non-toxic reusable products and systems, rather than single-use products with the primary goal of reducing the amount of waste generated.
In 2018, agreement was reached on the European Commission’s proposal to reduce the use of these products.
This decision was also taken following a study by the JRC (Joint Research Centre, the European Commission’s in-house scientific service) which showed that 80% of the pollutants found on European beaches consist of single-use plastic items.
What does this mean for those who use food packaging?
By 3 July this year, member states, including Italy, will have to ensure that certain single-use plastic products are no longer placed on the market. This is stipulated in the EU Single Plastic Use (SUP) Directive 2019/904, a measure that for the first time bans the sale of cotton buds, cutlery, plates, straws, shovels, balloon sticks made of plastic, as well as certain polystyrene food containers.
This directive promotes circular approaches that favour sustainable, non-toxic reusable products and systems rather than single-use products with the primary goal of reducing the amount of waste generated.
This legislation is in line with the expectations of consumers, who expect a real eco-responsible commitment from companies. Take this into account when choosing your food packaging!
What are the different types of food packaging to consider?
Depending on the products you sell and the way you deliver them, you need to find the right packaging products for your needs. Discover here some food packaging ideas to consider for your business.
Food packaging for every step: from preparation to consumption
First of all, know that for every food you package, there is food packaging. Today’s wide range of food packaging formats gives you the opportunity to better protect every product you sell.
You can opt for:
- Cans, trays and boxes for food: basic containers for your products, they must be able to keep them in the same condition from packaging to consumption.
- Food films and papers: essential for preserving products during transport, and to avoid spilling or leaking liquids.
- Shoppers and paper bags: needed to help your couriers or customers transport their goods in a practical way.
- Disposable tableware: this is necessary for take-away and fast food professionals. Remember to comply with the regulation on disposable packaging.
Eco-responsible food packaging
To be in line with legislation and the expectations of increasingly ecologically conscious consumers, choose sustainable food packaging.
Available in most of the formats mentioned above, it can be packaging…
- Recyclable, e.g. cardboard or kraft paper
- Products made from recycled materials, such as recycled plastic or cardboard
- Biobased, in materials such as sugar cane, wood or corn starch
- Reusable, such as recycled plastic or reusable insulated bags and totes
At a time when consumers are more and more inclined to share their mealtimes on social networks and look negatively on a company that does not respect the environment, the food industry is increasingly called upon to take into account the environmental impact of its choices!
Which food packaging for which business sectors?
Not all food professionals have the same goals in terms of food packaging. Discover our selection of food packaging that will help you meet your challenge.
Take-away and snack packaging
Your challenge: find the packaging that keeps the food as it is until it is consumed. Whether you sell pizzas, fries, burgers or any other type of food, there is always a solution for you.
Packaging solutions
Pure cellulose take-away food trays
Corrugated cardboard hamburger box
Shopper bag for pizza transport RAJA
White or havana paper shopping bags with twisted handles RAJA
Packaging for caterers
Yourchallenge: for take-away, delivery or for an event, your dishes need to be packaged to suit the situation, be elegant and have an impeccable presentation. As a restaurateur, the image of your company also passes through the packaging.
Packaging solutions
White kraft paper take-away container
Paper gift bags with window and gussets
Cross-linking cardboard container
Packaging for small supermarkets and market stalls
Your challenge: Fruit , vegetables, eggs and other fresh produce are particularly fragile, so it is crucial for you to find protective packaging.
Packaging solutions
Self-service bottom shopping boxes with handles
Grease-proof bags with flat bottom
Transparent gift bags with neutral square bottom
Biodegradable potato starch shopping bags
Packaging for bakeries, ovens and pastries
Your challenge: Pamper the taste buds of your customers, but also offer your products in packaging adapted to each situation and to the quantity required by your customers. Whether it is transporting pastries without leaving crumbs everywhere, protecting your sandwiches during transport or presenting your cakes in beautiful boxes, your goal remains the satisfaction of your customers.
Packaging solutions
Bag for long sandwiches (baguette)
Packaging for wine shops and wine merchants
Your challenge: find suitable packaging for your bottles, which will protect them during transport to prevent breakage. Remember, don’t neglect the packaging aspect either: your cases, boxes and bottle bags should be selected to give your products an elegant appearance.
Packaging solutions
Shipping boxes for standard and small bottles
HEVEA bottle packaging with display case
Luxury lacquered paper bottle sleeves
Approved bottle shipping boxes
Isothermal food packaging for freshness
Your challenge: do you need to keep your products fresh until they are consumed by your customers? You will have to opt for isothermal food packaging that preserves freshness.
Packaging solutions
Tempguard® recycled kraft paper insulating cushion
Thermal bags with adhesive closure
Packaging for butchery, delicatessen, fish shop
Your challenge: Packaging for meat, sausages and fish must prevent your customers from getting dirty on the way home but also preserve the freshness of the products until they reach their destination.
Packaging solutions
Mister Pack® polyethylene food film
Vacuum packaging machine with external suction
Plain bags for vacuum packaging
Embossed bags for vacuum packaging
Customised food packaging
It’s a fact: packaging is also a key tool for enhancing your brand reputation. That is why good customised food packaging can make all the difference and retain your customers over time.
Customise your packaging by adding your brand colours and logo. There is nothing better than proudly displaying your company and thus stimulating word-of-mouth during transport!
Request customised food packaging that perfectly matches the shape of your products. A plus for customer satisfaction, especially if you offer high-end food products.
Need more information? Browse RAJA’s interactive food packaging catalogue!
