{"id":239840,"date":"2022-09-27T14:47:44","date_gmt":"2022-09-27T14:47:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.polybags.com\/?p=239840"},"modified":"2022-10-26T17:11:22","modified_gmt":"2022-10-26T17:11:22","slug":"how-to-package-food-for-sale-a-guide-for-your-small-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.polybags.com\/how-to-package-food-for-sale-a-guide-for-your-small-business\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Package Food for Sale: A Guide for Your Small Business"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\n\t\t\t\t[et_pb_column type=”4_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text”]Preparing a product for retail is one thing, but packaging a food item for sale is another. Food packaging must adhere to several strict requirements before it can be sold.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you want to learn <\/span>how to package food for sale <\/b>\u2013 you\u2019re in the right place! Here’s what you need to know about food packaging requirements and how you can make the most out of your small business.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to Package Food for Sale: Everything You Need to Know<\/span><\/h2>\n

Packaging Different Types of Foods<\/span><\/h3>\n

How you package your food <\/span><\/a>will depend on the type of food it is. Each category needs to be packed in a specific way to ensure freshness, adhere to food safety guidelines, and maintain quality.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Canned Foods and Sauces<\/span><\/h4>\n

Salad dressings, condiments, and similar products are treated with heat to kill bacteria and then hermetically sealed to keep out pathogens that compromise shelf life. If you’re packaging a product that must be sterilized and sealed, it\u2019s best to work with a lab that tests the safety of food products to ensure that your processes are safe and scalable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Shelf-Stable Snack Products<\/span><\/p>\n

Products such as crackers and cookies don\u2019t need the same degree of processing, but the packaging can still affect the shelf life. If your product requires airtight packaging to keep it from growing stale, you should invest in vacuum packing and heat sealing equipment.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re selling these products on a smaller scale and they\u2019ll be consumed quickly, twist ties or zipper bags could be a solid option.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Shelf-Stable Dried Grains<\/span><\/p>\n

Dried grains, beans, and pasta don’t need airtight packaging, which gives flexibility when choosing packaging materials (paper bags, cardboard boxes, and plastic bags are popular options). The long shelf lives of these foods can give off the impression that they will last indefinitely, but they still grow stale eventually, so they should be tested for shelf life and marked with pull dates.<\/span><\/p>\n

Refrigerated Products<\/span><\/p>\n

Refrigeration extends the shelf life of many food products by slowing down the growth of bacteria. It can also dry out food, so products stored in the refrigerator should be handled specially.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Cold food products can be packaged in containers that are sealed simply by closing (plastic containers with snap-on lids, jars with tops that can be tightened by hand, etc.). Adding a sticker\/seal is recommended to make your product tamper evident.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hot Prepared to Refrigerated Products<\/span><\/p>\n

Foods that are prepared hot and put in the refrigerator (such as soup, prepared meals, etc.) should be completely cooled down before packaging to prevent condensation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Frozen Products\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Like refrigerated items, frozen products must be packaged carefully to avoid freezer burn. The freezing process extends the shelf life far beyond what refrigeration does (it\u2019s more expensive and requires more equipment).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

To prevent freezer burn, lower the temperature of your product before the freezing point as quickly as possible. If your product still contains a lot of moisture, wait to seal your packages until the contents are frozen solid. A blast chiller is a highly convenient tool to aid with this.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s also crucial to choose packaging materials that hold up in freezing temperatures and are thick enough to protect the food. Plastic bags that work for shelf-stable and freezable products may be too thin to protect frozen foods. Certain glass containers can shatter at freezing temperatures \u2013 always be sure to choose materials that can withstand the temperature at which you will be storing them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Packaging Features For Your Small Business<\/span><\/h3>\n

When you\u2019re choosing packaging for your business\u2019s products, know that it will significantly affect the well-being of what you\u2019re selling.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s not all, though \u2013 it also can alter how consumers will view your product and if they\u2019re incentivized to buy it. Read on to learn about more important packaging features.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

FDA Compliant Items<\/span><\/h4>\n

The FDA requires five key elements on a food packaging label. They\u2019re found on the principal display panel and information panel.<\/span><\/p>\n