Dec 19, 2025

Processors vs. Grocery Stores: Key Differences in Food Assembly and Packaging

At a Glance  Processors and grocery stores operate with different production workflows — processors follow standardized, line-based processes, while delis use on-site batch prep. These structural differences shape everything from staffing to daily output.  Grocery-prepared items feel more “homemade,” vs. how processors deliver tighter quality control and less waste.  Processors use advanced packaging for shelf life and […]
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Dec 17, 2025

The Risk of Betting It All on One Shiny New Product

At a Glance  Chasing every new product innovation in food packaging can be risky — flashy features don’t always mean long-term reliability.  The biggest danger in concentrating all your supply with a single new partner isn’t the product itself — it’s the uncertainty around their capacity to scale and deliver with consistency.  Food pros know […]
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Dec 11, 2025

SQF Certification: Why Some Manufacturers Pay More for Safety

At a Glance  Safe Quality Food (SQF) certification goes far beyond basic FDA compliance, requiring documented systems, full-team training, traceability, and ongoing audits to ensure food safety.  Achieving and maintaining certification is costly — initial setup, dedicated staff, annual audits, and continuous updates — but signals serious commitment to safety.  Certified suppliers can better protect […]
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Dec 11, 2025

Making Sense of Extended Producer Responsibility: Your Simple Guide to New Packaging Rules

At a Glance  EPR fees are now showing up on invoices, and many food brands are paying more than they need to because they don’t understand how the rules work.  Businesses that use recyclable, single-material packaging (also called mono-materials) often qualify for lower fees, while heavier, multi-layer packaging can drive costs up.  In most cases, […]
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Dec 03, 2025

What Makes Partnerships Work in Fresh Food Packaging?

At a Glance  Packaging collaboration drives better packaging. Early, honest partnerships prevent missteps and bring innovative, brand-aligned solutions to life.  Packaging can’t be an afterthought. Even the best food products can fail if poor packaging leads to spoilage, messy presentation, or operational inefficiencies.  True partners go beyond the transaction. Great manufacturers provide strategic insight, visit […]
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Dec 01, 2025

Is Your Food Business Ready for FSMA 204?

At a Glance  FSMA 204 creates strict new traceability requirements starting in 2026, and businesses must be ready to capture and share key data within 24 hours.  The regulation aims to speed up outbreak response by requiring companies to record “who, what, where, when, and why” for critical tracking events.  Non-compliance carries serious risks — […]
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Nov 24, 2025

Smart Labels and Other Packaging Trends for 2026

At a Glance  Smart packaging trends are redefining 2026, led by smart labels that monitor temperature, time, and humidity to ensure food safety and transparency throughout the cold chain.  Sustainability is getting practical — pulp and paper materials are emerging as leaders thanks to recyclability and lightweight design, though barrier layers still pose challenges.  Testing […]
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Nov 20, 2025

What’s Really Behind Food Package Failures May Shock You

At a Glance  Packaging failures often point to bigger system issues — not flaws in the container itself.  Small temperature shifts can mimic defects, causing fogging, leaks, or spoilage.  Handling and equipment inconsistencies play a major role in performance.  Collaboration and real-world testing solve problems faster than blame ever will.  Here’s an uncomfortable truth: When […]
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Nov 19, 2025

What Makes Packaging Eco-Friendly and Why Does It Matter?

At a Glance  Eco-friendly packaging decisions require looking beyond marketing claims — some “compostable” options contain hidden plastic linings that contaminate compost and may have a larger footprint than expected.  Each material type — from paper and pulp to traditional plastics — has trade-offs in water use, energy demand, emissions, and end-of-life performance.  Local waste […]
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Nov 12, 2025

Technically vs. Actually Recyclable or Compostable Food Packaging: What Some Manufacturers Don’t Want You to Know

At a Glance  “Technically vs. actually recyclable” means an item may be recyclable in theory but isn’t collected, sorted, or reprocessed locally, so it doesn’t become new material.  Multi-layer films, PLA, other bioplastics, and many compostables fail in real systems and can contaminate streams.  Clear PET and polypropylene move through existing infrastructure and retain value […]
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