Level 5 · Part 1
What packaging does
It protects, holds, informs and helps to sell. Each job has a cost.
Packaging is more than a bag or a bottle. It does several jobs at once, and choosing it means balancing them against cost.
- Protect: from moisture, air, light, dirt, pests and rough handling.
- Hold and carry: keep the right amount together so it can be stored, moved and sold.
- Inform: show what it is, who made it and how to use and store it.
- Sell: make it easy for a buyer to notice, trust and choose.
| Material | Often good for | Things to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Glass jars and bottles | Protecting against moisture and air, reusable, looks clean | Heavy, can break, needs a good lid |
| Plastic bags and films | Light, cheap, easy to seal | Protection varies by type; thin bags tear and let in air or moisture |
| Rigid plastic containers | Strong, easy to stack and reuse | Must be suitable for food; can absorb smells |
| Paper and cardboard | Good outer layer, easy to print | Poor against moisture unless treated; pests can get in |
| Metal cans and tins | Strong protection for long storage | Need equipment to seal; cost |
| Sacks and woven bags | Bulk goods, breathable | Do not protect well against moisture or pests |
These are general points
How well a material works depends on the exact type, thickness and how well it is sealed. Ask suppliers which products are suitable for food, and test the pack with your own product.
Exercise 5.1 · What my product needs
- Write your product and how it is sold (by weight, by piece, in bulk).
- List what could harm it before the buyer opens the pack: moisture, air, light, crushing, pests, smells.
- Mark the one or two that matter most.
Background reading for this part:
- Guidelines for small-scale fruit and vegetable processors (FAO Agricultural Services Bulletin 127) — Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Peter Fellows, 1997