Novel food in bowl

Alternative and novel packaging: 4 key considerations

11 February 2022 | Lynneric Potter, Food Packaging Technical Lead

The pressures to reduce the environmental impact of packaging, comply with regulations around single-use packaging, and satisfy consumer preferences offer significant growth opportunities for the use of new recyclable and novel materials.

When we think about new packaging, it is important to consider the material, environment, and product. What are the key considerations with the use of these alternatives?

Here are our top 4 considerations which need to be evaluated before an alternative or novel packaging hits the market:

  1. Material and product shelf-life: The use of alternative packaging materials should not create food waste. As a consequence, it is vital to initiate a study to establish shelf life and to understand how novel materials react to different food characteristics and environments.
  2. Compliance with relevant regulations: The material needs to meet the requirements of the relevant regulations in the countries where the product will be sold. At the moment, this can be difficult due to the lack of regulations for novel materials.
  3. Material performance: Does the alternative or novel packaging perform the same or better than its original counterpart? Considerations should include:
    • Its ability to act as a suitable barrier to food
    • Its performance in the presence of grease and moisture
    • Its resistance to heating, chilling and freezing
    • How processing and transporting will influence its strength and integrity
    • Whether the material can withstand decontamination or repetitive washing
    • Whether the material is susceptible to microbial persistence
    • Whether the material is environmentally sustainable
  4. Consumer perception: When all is said and done, the consumer is the one that can make or break a product. As well as thinking about taint and sensory challenges, it is good to bear in mind the experience of handling the packaging, its openability, its appearance, its novelty, and the ease of recycling. It’s also important to get early support from a large group of consumers for any novel or alternative packaging material.

How can we help?

Packaging experts at Campden BRI know that it is important to consider how a material will perform under different circumstances. Having your food packaging assessed by us will provide you with valuable insight into understanding and mitigating potential novel and alternative packaging issues that will enhance your brand protection and consumer safety.

We can help you with:

  • Assessing material strength by using puncture and elongation test methods, while analysing the co-efficient of friction to help understand how the material will run on the line
  • Evaluate the on-the-go functionality of materials by analysing its ease of handling, its ability to be repeatedly washed and reheated, and its capacity to keep food warm
  • Looking at grease and moisture resistance and repellence, barrier testing, as well as taint assessment to ensure that user experience standards are maintained
  • Ensuring that materials are safe for use in relation to food contact and the persistence and decontamination of biological agents, such as, Campylobacter, Clostridium, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella, Shigella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and viruses like Norovirus
  • Exposure of materials to different environments and processes including sterilisation and pasteurisation; chilled and frozen temperatures; oven cooking, and microwave cooking
  • Regulatory support where regulations for novel materials are either lacking or not clear
Lynneric Potter

About Lynneric Potter

Lynneric Potter is a food packaging specialist within the Department of Food Manufacturing Technologies at Campden BRI where she has worked since 1999. Lynneric’s main activities involve consultancy and testing of packaging materials to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Read more...

Packaging services

Find out more about our packaging services and ways we can help you.

Packaging services

How can we help you?

Contact us to discuss your innovative solutions and to discuss the possible impacts of using alternatives to single-use plastics for a range of applications.

support@campdenbri.co.uk +44(0)1386 842000

More on Packaging

Man presenting with flip chart in front of an audience

‘Hot topics’ top 5 – the key focus areas and industry challenges that our members are talking about

The hottest topics that were most discussed in our 2023 Member Interest Group (MIG) meetings, why these issues are ‘hot’, what the challenges are and how we ...


Food packaging on production line

5 ways to optimise the packaging of your food and drink products

Exploring five of the many ways that packaging can be optimised to maximise your food and drink product profitability. From directly reducing packaging costs...


Modified atmosphere packaging in pilot plant

Modified atmosphere packaging - 'The carbon dioxide effect'

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) is used as a means of preservation and is well known in the food industry as a method to extend the shelf-life of a range...


Food product being inspected on production line

5 reasons to proactively optimise your food and drink products

As the global population continues to increase, so do the opportunities for food and drink manufacturers and suppliers.


Single-use plastic waste

Single-use plastic ban in the European Union

The EU Single-Use Plastics Directive is making big changes to food service packaging habits. With the EU member states taking a variety of approaches to put ...


different types of food packaging

3 Reasons why food quality and safety can be compromised by packaging materials

Food packaging plays a crucial role in the quality and safety of food products. From the processing line to consumers' shopping bags, it has to protect food ...


Contact an expert