When you visit a supermarket or a bakery, you see a variety of packaging. Despite their safe appearance from the exterior, are the constituents inside completely safe to consume?

Food safety depends heavily on packaging hygiene. Properly designed packaging prevents the entry of biological hazards like bacteria and viruses, chemical hazards, and physical hazards like dirt and debris.  Manufacturing and handling must adhere to strict hygiene standards to ensure the packaging remains clean and contaminant-free. Food-grade packaging plays a pivotal role in consumer health protection.

Why use Food-grade Packaging

Prevents Contamination :

Food-grade materials are designed to be safe for contact with food, forming the first line of defence in food safety. Food stored for extended periods in non-food-grade materials is more likely to cause foodborne illness. Using food-grade materials keeps the food safe from contamination as it prevents harmful chemicals from being leached into the food, preventing food poisoning and other health issues. 

Maintains Freshness :

Maintaining freshness is a critical aspect of packaging hygiene. High-quality food-grade packaging contributes significantly to food quality control by protecting food from moisture and air. This barrier prevents spoilage, oxidation, and flavour loss, ensuring your food remains fresh, thereby retaining its nutritional value for a longer period. 

Resistant to Microbial Growth:

Bacteria, fungi, and viruses can easily contaminate food, posing a significant risk to food safety. Food-grade packaging, combined with safe food handling practices, helps prevent the growth of these microorganisms, preserving the food's safety and extending its shelf life. This is a key factor in foodborne illness prevention.

Examples of Food-Grade Materials:

Several materials are commonly used for food-grade packaging, each meeting stringent packaging material safety standards:

Glass:

Chemically inert and impermeable, glass is an excellent choice for food storage. It doesn't react with food, ensuring purity and preventing any leaching of chemicals.

Paper: 

Paper-based packaging, often coated or treated, is widely used for various food products. It's important that any coatings or treatments also meet food-grade standards.

Plastics: 

Certain types of plastics are approved for food contact. It's crucial to use the correct type of plastic designated as food-grade, as others can leach chemicals, compromising packaging material safety.

Food Packaging in Modern Times

In this era, food packaging has evolved to be more graphic to gain attention while highlighting the product inside. Each food package is unique to stand out from the competition. Distinctive packaging helps customers remember your brand among the countless options available in the global market. Being the leading manufacturer of food packaging products in the Middle East, Hotpack offers you the food packaging products at the best prices. 

Connect with us now to learn more about how we can help you create customised packaging solutions that help you increase sales while prioritising food safety in Saudi Arabia.