From plastic containers and pouch bags in boxes to glass jars and tin-coated steel cans, the packaging options for food products are almost as varied as the items themselves.
How does a manufacturer determine the best package for their product?
Their considerations include the type of food product, the shelf life and the shipping considerations of the product. Additionally, they must ensure that the food is safe for the customer; all food-contact packaging materials must pass the FDA’s strict approval process before entering the marketplace. The packaging choice also needs to be cost-effective, as it impacts the manufacturer’s return on investment.
Influenced by these factors, many manufacturers are choosing plastic packaging, especially as an alternative to glass.
While still getting the same great benefits of superior taste with no preservatives, here are four key reasons manufacturers are switching from glass to plastic:
The selected packaging also impacts the filling process, or how food and the packaging are combined to ensure food safety.
With retort packaging, which commonly uses glass, food is filled, sealed, and then heated to extremely high temperatures, to sterilize the product.
AFP advanced food products llc, however, is proud to specialize in FDA-approved aseptic technology in which our food product and packaging are sterilized separately, then combined and sealed to preserve freshness and nutrition.
There are several benefits of aseptic packaging, including:
Packaging is not just a receptacle for food; it can impact quality and production methods, as well as the manufacturer’s bottom line. With these considerations in mind, it’s easy to see why more manufacturers are choosing plastic.