Food Packaging 101: Materials, Trends, and Best Practices

Food packaging is more than just a container — it’s critical to delivering quality, safety, and brand recognition to customers. 

For businesses in the food industry, especially those leveraging a restaurant ordering system, the right packaging can enhance the customer experience, protect the product, and support marketing efforts. 

Your packaging ensures food stays fresh and safe, communicates your brand’s values, and meets evolving consumer expectations.

This article tackles the key aspects of food packaging, including the materials that dominate the market, emerging trends like sustainability and smart solutions, and best practices to optimize your packaging strategy. 

Whether you're running a restaurant or scaling a food delivery operation, understanding these elements is essential to staying competitive and building customer trust.

Why is food packaging very important?

Packaging is not just a container. It protects your food products, makes your brand standout, and directly impacts customer satisfaction.

Think of it as a restaurant safety measure, a marketing tool, and more.

1. It protects your product.

The appropriate packaging keeps your food safe from contamination, damage, and spoilage. You can guarantee your customers receive the product in perfect condition, which builds trust and reduces complaints or negative reviews.

2. It represents your brand.

Your packaging is your product’s first impression. A professional, eye-catching design communicates your brand identity and makes your product stand out. It’s your silent salesperson on the shelf.

3. It meets consumer needs.

A good packaging is functional. Whether it’s resealable, portable, or easy to open, if it offers convenience to your customers, they are more likely to buy your product again.

4. It boosts your marketability.

Your packaging, when designed as a marketing tool, increases engagement and sets you apart from competitors.

Labels, colors, and even QR codes can share your story, highlight product benefits, educate customers, and promote social media profiles.

5. It drives sustainability goals.

Eco-friendly packaging appeals to today’s environmentally conscious consumers. By choosing recyclable or biodegradable materials, you can attract these customers while reinforcing a positive brand image.

Types of food packaging materials

Paper or cardboard

Paper-based packaging is among the most widely used materials, making up 33.2% of the global packaging materials market in 2019, according to Statista.

This popularity stems from their lightweight, versatility, and cost-effectiveness, which makes them ideal for packaging dry goods and takeout boxes and as secondary packaging for other food products.

One of their biggest advantages is their eco-friendliness.

Paper-based materials are easily recyclable and biodegradable, appealing to businesses and consumers focused on sustainability. They are also highly customizable, offering an excellent surface for restaurant branding and design.

The only downside is that they lack durability when exposed to moisture and heavy loads. This can compromise the protection of your product.

Glass

Glass packaging is a durable, non-porous material commonly used for beverages, sauces, and preserved foods due to its excellent barrier properties.

It protects against air, moisture, and contaminants, ensuring food freshness and safety.

Additionally, glass is 100% recyclable without losing quality, making it a sustainable choice for environmentally-conscious brands. Its premium appearance also boosts the perceived value of your products, making it ideal for high-end markets.

However, glass has some drawbacks. 

Its weight can significantly increase shipping costs, and its fragility requires careful handling during transportation and storage.

Despite these challenges, glass remains a popular choice for products where quality and presentation are paramount.

Metal

Metal packaging, typically made from aluminum or tin, is popular for preserving and protecting food products like canned goods, beverages, and even foil wraps. Its durability makes it highly effective at shielding your food products from physical damage during delivery and storage.

What’s more, it offers excellent barrier properties, keeping out light, air, and moisture to ensure the product stays fresh and uncontaminated.

One of its strongest advantages is sustainability, as metal is widely recyclable and can be repurposed without losing quality. But it does come with challenges.

It tends to be more expensive than other materials, impacting product costs. Moreover, its opaque nature means customers cannot see the product inside, which may affect purchasing decisions in cases where visual appeal is important.

Nonetheless, metal remains a reliable and sustainable option for food packaging, particularly for products requiring long shelf life and robust protection.

Edible packaging

This type of packaging is made from seaweed, rice paper, or starch-based films. It is consumable alongside your food products and offers a waste-free solution.

It provides a unique, sustainable alternative to traditional packaging. Now, if you want to appeal to eco-conscious consumers, this is one of your best options.

However, its applications are limited, as it may not suit all products and has a shorter shelf life than conventional materials.

Despite these, the U.S. edible packaging market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated USD 289.59 million by 2032. This growth is driven by rising awareness of plastic pollution and increasing demand for environmentally sustainable packaging solutions.

Bioplastics

In 2023, Europe led the global bioplastics market with a 34% share, largely driven by the food and beverage sector, which accounted for 59% of total demand.

This packaging material, derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, offers a greener alternative to traditional plastics by reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

Many bioplastics are also biodegradable or compostable, addressing the pressing issue of plastic waste.

However, challenges remain, including higher production costs and the need for industrial composting facilities to ensure proper decomposition.

Trends shaping the food service packaging industry

Here are key trends shaping the future of the food service packaging industry:

Sustainability and eco-friendly solutions

Sustainability is a top priority in food packaging, with brands increasingly adopting zero-waste solutions to reduce single-use plastics.

The zero-waste packaging market, valued at $294.57 billion in 2024, is projected to exceed $740.06 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 9.65%.

Companies are turning to compostable films, plant-based wraps, and recyclable materials to meet eco-friendly consumer demands.

Reusable packaging is another major trend, offering a practical alternative to disposables. Brands like Loop lead the way with systems where customers return containers for cleaning and reuse. These innovations cut waste and build strong loyalty among environmentally conscious customers.

Technology in packaging

Technology is revolutionizing food packaging by enhancing functionality and customer engagement.

QR codes on packaging provide instant access to product details, company information, and promotions. 

Data from Profile Tree shows that 57% of consumers have scanned QR codes for product information, and 34% used them to access company details or participate in contests, making this feature a powerful tool for transparency and connection.

Smart packaging uses sensors to track freshness, temperature, and quality, ensuring product safety. 

Active packaging extends shelf life by absorbing moisture or releasing preservatives, while intelligent packaging offers real-time updates on freshness through indicators like pH or temperature. 

These innovations highlights the importance of food safety and reduce waste, making them valuable assets for modern businesses.

Consumer preferences

Consumers today prefer packaging that is simple, sustainable, and practical. Minimalist designs made from recyclable materials convey authenticity and environmental responsibility. 

Transparent packaging, like clear containers or windows, allows customers to see the product, building trust in its quality.

Portion-control packaging is also on the rise, appealing to health-conscious and busy customers. 

Single-serve options and premade meal kits make meal prep easier while reducing food waste, meeting the demand for convenience and functionality.

Best practices when packaging for food products

Effective food packaging goes beyond merely containing a product; it must balance protection, aesthetics, compliance, and sustainability to meet market demands and consumer expectations. 

Here’s how businesses can achieve this balance:

Design for functionality and aesthetics

At its core, packaging food products must safeguard the product from damage, contamination, and spoilage. 

This means selecting materials that suit the product’s needs, whether maintaining freshness, providing a moisture barrier, or offering physical protection during transport. 

For example, vacuum-sealed packaging works well for perishable foods, while rigid containers are ideal for fragile baked goods.

However, functionality is only half the equation. Packaging should also attract and connect with the target audience. 

For premium products, design elements like matte finishes, embossed logos, or metallic accents convey sophistication and quality.

For eco-conscious consumers, earthy tones and minimalistic designs made from recycled materials communicate sustainability. 

Ensuring that packaging reflects the brand’s identity while maintaining practicality is key to standing out in a competitive market.

Stay compliant with regulations

Compliance with packaging regulations is essential to avoid costly mistakes such as fines, recalls, or damaged reputations. Businesses should familiarize themselves with the relevant laws in their market, whether it’s FDA guidelines in the U.S., EU standards, or local regulations elsewhere.

Key compliance areas include:

• Proper Labeling: Ensure all packaging includes required information, such as ingredients, nutrition facts, and product weight.
• Allergen Warnings: Highlight potential allergens to protect consumers and meet legal requirements.
• Material Safety: Use food-grade materials free from harmful chemicals like BPA.

Staying updated on evolving regulations and industry standards ensures that your packaging protects the product and meets legal and safety expectations.

Adopt sustainable approach

Sustainability is no longer optional—it’s a consumer expectation. However, adopting eco-friendly practices should not compromise packaging functionality or quality. 

To achieve this balance, businesses can conduct Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impact of packaging materials and processes. LCAs provide insights into a material’s carbon footprint, recyclability, and end-of-life options, helping businesses make informed choices.

For example, switching to compostable or biodegradable packaging is ideal for businesses aiming to reduce waste, while reusable systems may be more suitable for brands prioritizing circular economies. 

It’s also important to communicate these sustainable efforts to consumers through clear labeling, such as “100% recyclable” or “compostable under industrial conditions.”

The rundown

Food packaging plays a critical role in the success of food businesses, balancing functionality, design, and sustainability. 

By selecting the right materials, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and following best practices, brands can meet consumer expectations while ensuring product safety and quality.

For restaurants using a restaurant ordering system, effective packaging enhances the customer experience by keeping food fresh, secure, and visually appealing. Adopting trends like zero-waste packaging, reusable systems, and portion-controlled options helps businesses stay competitive and align with sustainability goals.

By focusing on design, compliance, and eco-friendly solutions, businesses can build customer trust, increase loyalty, and contribute to a more sustainable future in food packaging.

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