What’s Cardboard got to do with Food Safety?

What’s Cardboard got to do with Food Safety?

At the end of 2016, a feature on the BBC’s Watchdog highlighted a cleanliness issue with home delivery crates. It seems that the plastic crates used by supermarkets are in such constant use that they aren’t always cleaned. Mould, unidentified sticky substances and even maggots were found in the plastic containers that food was transported in.

Fortunately an increasing number of food companies are opting for cardboard boxes for their home deliveries. Single use, cardboard boxes significantly reduce the risk of contamination and they can be recycled in the appropriate household waste bin.

Growing Demand for Cardboard Packaging

It isn’t just supermarket deliveries that are starting to move towards sustainable cardboard packaging. Have you noticed that more fish and chip shops are using foldable cardboard cartons in place of polystyrene boxes for take aways? Another example is that fresh flowers are now being delivered in slimline cardboard boxes which can be posted through the letterbox.

There are a number of other reasons that food companies are shifting towards cardboard packaging for their consumables. Cardboard is cost effective to print during the box manufacturing process, so it is easy to brand. It is effective at protecting goods during transit and has been proven to prolong the shelf life of fresh produce.

The environmental aspect is also part of the reason behind the change in packaging preferences. A growing awareness of the problems caused by the non-degradable nature of waste plastic has led to customers favouring paper-based packaging options.

BRC Accreditation

This growing demand for folding cardboard cartons is generating a positive outlook for box manufacturers. In order to benefit from this growing market, adherence to the regulations relating to any materials that come into contact with food is essential for any packaging supplier. There must be no risk that any harmful substances, including inks, adhesives could be transferred to the contents.

The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has produced a global standard that Aylesbury Box Company is embedding in its processes. BRC Accreditation is reliant on the satisfactory assessment of quality, safety and manufacturing processes to ensure food product safety. We are actively working towards achieving full BRC Accreditation during 2017.