What Are FDA Requirements for Food Packaging?

The FDA stands for the Food and Drug Administration. It is an organization created by the United States government. The work of the FDA is to ensure that food, medicine, and packaging are safe. If packaging is not safe, then people can become ill. So, the FDA requirements for food packaging inspects every aspect of how food is packaged and sold. The regulations they create are extremely significant. They protect the health of people. They also establish trust between consumers and businesses.

Most people don’t consider the box or bag containing their food. But the box comes into contact with the food. If the box contains chemicals, bacteria, or dirt, it can spoil the food. That is why food packaging is not merely a design affair. It is a safety issue. The FDA assists in ensuring that food packaging does not damage the food or the consumers who consume it. If your business wishes to do business selling food in the U.S., you have to comply with FDA regulations. No matter if your food is healthy, poor packaging will render it unhealthy.

Food-Contact Materials Must Be Safe

The very first and foremost FDA regulation is this: anything that comes in contact with food must be safe. They are known as food-contact substances. They could be plastic, paper, metal, or glass. However, not all plastics or papers are acceptable. Special kinds are only safe to come into contact with food. These safe substances are tested and approved by the FDA.

If your business wishes to utilize a new material, you need to inform the FDA beforehand. You will be required to do a Food Contact Notification (FCN). It is a notice that indicates the new material is safe. It should not alter the taste or odor of foods. It should not introduce any harmful chemicals. The FDA reviews the notice and determines whether you can utilize the material.

Materials should also not melt or shatter when food is cold or hot. When you are using plastic as part of a microwave meal, it has to be safe at high temperatures. When your food is cold and kept in cold storage, the packaging also has to be safe. Therefore, the type of food and whether it is stored or not are also considered when selecting packaging.

Clean Manufacturing Is a Must

Cleanliness is a large aspect of food safety. According to the FDA, food packaging needs to be constructed and handled in a clean environment. If the environment is not clean, germs find their way into the packaging. These germs will then mix with the food later on and cause people to be sick. This is a requirement as part of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs).

Your employees need to wash their hands, wear gloves, and operate clean equipment. Your factory cannot have bugs, rodents, or mold. Your packaging materials need to be stored in clean storage as well. Even dust can cause an issue. The FDA can inspect your factory to see if you are obeying these regulations. If they do find issues, they can keep your product from reaching the market.

Clear and Honest Markings Are Needed

Each package of food is required to have a label. The label must be honest. It must indicate clearly what the food is, how much it contains, and who prepared it. The FDA also states that labels must include a complete list of ingredients. These ingredients must be listed in terms of use, from the most used to the least used.

The label should also include a nutrition facts box. This indicates the calorie content, sugar content, fat content, and vitamin content of the food. The data should be accurate. If the food has common allergenic foods such as milk, peanuts, soy, wheat, or eggs, these should also be included on the label.

If a label tells you the food is “organic” or “natural,” that is true. You can’t misrepresent on your label to sell more. The FDA can fine you or remove your product from the shelf if it catches a false claim. Labels should also be easy to read. Very small writing or fancy letters can be a problem, too.

Tamper-Evident Features Are Important

The FDA mandates that some foods need tamper-evident packaging. This implies that there needs to be a means of determining whether the package has been opened prior to purchase. An example is a safety seal that breaks when the lid is opened. If the seal is broken, the consumer knows not to consume the food. This regulation applies to baby food, ready-to-eat foods, beverages, and any product marketed as sealed.

Tamper-evident features are what make people safe. They also create confidence. Customers will be more comfortable when they notice the product is sealed and safe. If your packaging lacks a safety feature, the FDA might not accept it for some products.

Harmful Chemicals Are Not Permitted

The FDA indicates that the packaging should not contain hazardous chemicals. Certain plastics or inks sometimes impart toxins to food. Such toxins lead to cancer, digestive issues, or even birth defects. That is why the FDA prohibits certain substances.

Even glue and color dyes have to be edible. If you do print on your food box, the ink should not come off and get mixed into the food. If your packaging does have layers, only the inner layer should come into contact with the food. That inner layer needs to be clean and safe.

Certain chemicals are permitted, though in only minute quantities. The FDA tests these. If your container employs any of these, you will need to ensure that it does not exceed the permissible amount.

Recycled Packaging Materials Should Be Clean

The FDA permits industries to use recycled packaging. This saves waste and the environment. However, recycled packaging is still required to be safe. It has to be tested for bacteria, chemicals, and hazards. If recycled paper or plastic is used, it is not allowed to come into contact with the food unless it is tested and cleared.

The FDA verifies whether the recycled material was properly cleaned. If not, it might transfer unhealthy things into the food. You are required to maintain a record of cleaning and testing recycled materials. If you cannot demonstrate they are safe, the FDA will not permit you to utilize them.

Migration Testing May Be Required

Occasionally, chemicals in packaging can migrate into the food. Migration is what this is. The FDA does not want migration to occur and remain within unsafe boundaries. You need to inspect your packaging, particularly if it comes into contact with hot or greasy foods.

The test is to see whether any component of the packaging, such as plastic or ink, enters the food. If it tests that too much of something transfers into the food, you cannot sell that material. Some of the new kinds of packaging, such as compostable or green products, have to pass this test before you can sell them.

Special Packaging Requires Additional Checks

Some packaging requires additional safety testing. For instance, if your box is microwaveable, it should not melt or leak. If your package contains additional items such as freshness packets or oxygen blockers, the FDA needs to approve them. These are referred to as active packaging items.

Plant-based and biodegradable packaging is trendy these days. But even if it is green, it has to abide by all the safety regulations. Natural products do contain germs if not sanitized properly. The FDA also wants these to be safe.

These Rules Apply to Companies Selling in the USA

Even if your food originated in another country, you will still need to abide by all the FDA packaging regulations. Foreign food businesses have to register with the FDA. Foreign food businesses also have to prove that their packaging is clean, safe, and properly labeled. The FDA can bar foreign food from entering the country if it is not complying with the regulations.

If your business wishes to sell food in the U.S., you need to study all the FDA regulations. This involves the regulations for packaging, ingredients, and plant cleanliness. If your package fails inspection, your food might not be permitted in the country.

What Happens If You Don’t Follow FDA Rules?

If you violate FDA regulations, your company can be in serious trouble. Your food may be taken away from the stores. You might receive large fines. The FDA might even close your business. That is why it is extremely crucial to comply with all their packaging regulations.

You also need to keep records. The FDA is entitled to inspect how you test your materials, sanitize your machines, and mark your products. If you cannot provide evidence, you can be in trouble. Keeping accurate records is part of compliance with FDA regulations.

Simple Checklist to Adhere to FDA Packaging Regulations

The following is a simple checklist written in paragraph form. For starters, always use FDA-approved materials for coming into contact with food. Second, keep your packaging area clean and have good factory practices. Third, test your packaging if it comes into contact with hot, oily, or wet foods. Fourth, ensure your labels are honest, clear, and simple to read. Fifth, utilize tamper-evident features for products that need to remain sealed. Sixth, do not use toxic chemicals, even in small quantities. Seventh, test recycled material to ensure that they are safe. Finally, you should register with the FDA if you are an overseas company or if you are utilizing a different kind of material.

Final Thought

FDA packaging regulations are not only regulations. They are instruments to prevent people from getting sick and food from getting dirty. When you comply with these regulations, your package will not only be safe but also professional-looking. Good packaging makes your product attractive and trustworthy. Whether you are a startup company or a large corporation, FDA-approved packaging indicates that you care. It makes your business expand and keeps your consumers safe.