You are faced with an important dilemma in the packaging world You want to get your products safely to the consumer because of course that is paramount And at the same time you feel that strong urge or perhaps the need to package as sustainably as possible How do you combine the two Doesn’t sustainability work against food safety
This is a question that occupies many companies, especially now that the call for less and more circular packaging is becoming louder and louder You dream of a package that perfectly protects your product, extends its shelf life and at the same time has minimal impact on our planet But immediately the objections and fears arise Is recycled plastic really safe for food Can I comply with all these complicated regulations without making concessions to the protection of my product?
Let’s face it frustration can run high The world of legislative materials and certifications sometimes feels like a maze Perhaps you assume that sustainable packaging is by definition less robust or safe than traditional options But is that really the case We believe you can overcome this apparent contradiction with the right knowledge and a smart approach We’d love to help you navigate that balance.
The fundamental role of packaging more than just a shell
Before we talk about sustainability, it is crucial to recognize why we need packaging at all Especially with fresh produce or perishable goods, packaging is the first line of defense Your packaging protects your product from damage during transport and storage from moisture oxygen light and microbial contamination.
Good packaging significantly extends the shelf life of your product And that is directly related to sustainability Because what is less sustainable than food that spoils before it has a chance to be consumed Food waste is a huge problem worldwide and effective packaging plays a key role in preventing it.
The sustainability ambition in packaging
The desire for more sustainable packaging comes from different angles Consumers are asking for it Governments are setting increasingly stringent requirements think of the new packaging and packaging waste regulation ppwr and companies themselves see the benefits both in cost savings through more efficient use of materials and in an improved brand image.
There are several strategies to make your packaging more sustainable You can set up material-saving reuse systems or choose materials that are more recyclable The use of recyclate so recycled materials such as recycled pet rphet is an important part of this Also bio-based or biodegradable materials come into the picture All these options aim to reduce environmental impact.
The core conflict safety requirements for durable materials
This is where it sometimes pinches How do you ensure that a package made from, say, recycled material is as safe as one made from virgin material The fear is real that unwanted substances contaminants from the recyclate or substances released from bio-materials will migrate into your product.
Not every “sustainable” material is therefore necessarily suitable for direct food contact The source of the material the production process and the possible presence of non-intentionally added substances nias are critical factors It is essential to understand that sustainability and safety must go hand in hand you must not sacrifice one for the other. A functional barrier in the packaging can sometimes provide a solution here to prevent migration.
Navigating the legal framework through laws and regulations
Okay the legislation may seem complex but it is your guide to ensure safety It all starts with the european basic regulation eg no 1935 2004 This sets general safety requirements for all materials and objects that come into contact with food The principle is clear they must not release substances into food in quantities that endanger human health.
In addition, there are specific measures such as regulation eu 10 2011 for plastics This contains positive lists of substances that may be used and sets strict requirements for migration testing The Netherlands supplements this european legislation through the Packaging and Consumer Articles Commodities Act Decree and the Packaging and Consumer Articles Regulation These national rules can be found on the website of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (nvwa) and give specific substance to the european frameworks.
New developments such as the ppwr are putting additional pressure on the sustainability and recycling of packaging with concrete targets for reuse and the use of recyclate This means making your packaging not only safe but also ready for the future. More information on the ppwr and european legislation can also be found at industry associations and knowledge institutes.
A crucial document in all of this is the declaration of compliance doc This is a mandatory document that your supplier must be able to hand over for materials intended for food contact The doc declares that the material complies with the relevant legislation and indicates the conditions under which the packaging can be used safely e.g. temperature or contact time What exactly the doc says and why verification is essential we can give you detailed information about that. It is your guarantee that your packaging complies.
Focus on recycled plastic rphet opportunities and concerns for food safety
Recycled pet or rpet is a great material if you want to be circular You help reduce waste and save resources But safety for food contact is a legitimate concern Plastic from the consumer waste collection system may contain contaminants.
Therefore, there are strict requirements for the recycling of PET that comes back into contact with food The recyclate must come from efsa-approved recycling processes that guarantee effective decontamination Often the requirement is that at least 95% of the input material comes from post-consumer food packaging to minimize the possibility of contamination Again, migration testing is indispensable to demonstrate that potentially hazardous substances do not transfer to the food in unacceptable quantities. Thus, the safety of rphet for food contact is not an assumption but is assured by rigorous processes and controls.
Practical steps how to make the right packaging choice
Okay enough theory How do you apply this in practice How do you find that balance for your specific product It starts with a thorough risk analysis What are you packing How long How will it be stored under what temperature These factors determine what requirements you should place on the packaging in terms of protection and migration.
In this, work closely with a qualified packaging supplier like us at multitray We understand the complexity and think with you Always ask for and check the declaration of compliance doc If the doc is unclear or you have doubts Then consider having independent (additional) migration tests performed at specialized laboratories such as eurofins food testing.
Also think circularly from design Choose materials that can be recycled as safely as possible for new food packaging after use This is consistent with the principles of design for recycling and the goals of the circular economy. This is the core of our circularsource approach.
More than just material design and process optimization
Finding the right balance goes beyond material selection Smart packaging design is just as important You can save material through optimization without sacrificing protection Think of thinner films smart stackability or a more efficient shape Also production technology such as deep drawing or the application of modified atmosphere packaging folder in fresh produce plays a big role in optimizing both safety shelf life and sustainability. For example, by using monomaterials that increase recyclability. When developing new packaging, we always look at these aspects integrally.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of food safety and sustainability in packaging is challenging but certainly not impossible You don’t have to compromise on safety to achieve your sustainability ambitions Finding that balance requires knowledge of legislative materials and processes and a willingness to work with the right partners.
At multitray, we combine our craftsmanship and knowledge to help you package responsibly Whether it’s packaging for confectionery fresh produce or other applications safety and sustainability are always the foundation We believe in transparency and are happy to work with you to find the ideal solution one that keeps your product safe consumers confident and contributes to a circular future.
If you have questions or want to know how we can help you find the right balance Feel free to ask for a quote or contact us We are happy to share our knowledge and think with you because your challenge is our motivation.
