Why The Right Packaging Is Essential To Food Safety
Food packaging plays an understated but essential role in ensuring food safety. The packaging has to withstand exposure to external elements during transport and storage, so businesses must use the right container when packaging their products.
But the need for proper packaging doesn’t end there - the reasons to secure the right packaging is boundless! From maintaining its freshness and protecting the food from physical damage - any food business owner should get hold of the right packaging.
Read on to learn how the right packaging can help to maintain a consumer’s health and wellbeing.
Safeguard the food from physical damage
Physical damage to the food packaging may jeopardise its quality. Food delivery services such as Food Panda and GrabFood are becoming an increasingly common sight, and physical damage may occur during food transport.
Therefore, restaurants and caterers need to utilise durable packaging, such as plastic containers, to safeguard their products from harm during the delivery process. There is even specific packaging that offers padding to protect against any potential accidents during transit.
Prevents any tampering of the food
Consumers can know whether their food has been tampered with if packaging with tamper-evident technology is used.
Features such as breakaway closure, special packaging membrane and tear-strip allow one to detect any signs of tampering immediately. They can then warn others not to consume food from the impacted packaging.
Protecting the food from contamination
The food products that we find in our supermarkets have undergone shipping and storage, which increases the risk of contamination. The entire logistic process can expose the products to bacteria that will contaminate the food.
As a result, food manufacturers have to take extensive safety measures to protect their products’ integrity. They have to ensure the packaging used is durable and can withstand the rough-and-tumble handling that may occur during shipping and transport. Any damaged packaging can compromise the safety of consumers.
Increase the shelf life of the product
The right packaging can help to extend the shelf life of the food. There is a common assumption that placing food in a refrigerator can preserve its shelf life.
However, this line of thought is only partially correct as exposure to high oxygen level can lead to food decomposing over time. Using a vacuum or resealable packaging can minimise this exposure and extend the product’s shelf life.
Preserve the freshness of the food
As a country that relies heavily on export for resources, Singapore receives food products sourced worldwide.
The advent of modern technology has provided international food manufacturers with the tools they require to maintain their merchandise’s freshness. As a result, they can utilise suitable packaging to provide fresh food products to retailers and consumers alike.
Maintaining the brand’s image
In addition to food safety, using the proper packaging can also be an added boon to many retailers and manufacturers.
Going the extra mile demonstrates to the customers that the company values their safety. Some retailers have even switched to using biodegradable food packaging to minimise environmental pollution due to growing concerns among consumers.
Conclusion
It is paramount for businesses in the food industry to prioritise food safety and utilise the right food packaging. Widespread food contamination can severely damage a brand’s image, and that is something many businesses strive to avoid.