SGS Food Packaging Services Assists Producers With Packaging Compliance

Dec. 8, 2010 - PRLog -- Specific quality requirements exist regulating packaging for all types of food products. Market success for business can only be aided by knowledge of these nationally and internationally determined packaging requirements. Such awareness will ensure the avoidance of any potential issues arising with consumer organisations and regulatory authorities.

Strict Regulations in Force

A range of regulations is in place to enforce food-packaging standards.
Verifications of packaged goods in Germany is the responsibility of The German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB)1. These verifications are conducted according to the Eichgestz, or Verification Act, which includes as one of its central requirements the specification that products be filled and designed so that they accurately reflect what is in the package, rather than giving the impression of containing more than is present.

Specific requirements (http://www.foodsafety.sgs.com/food-processors-and-suppliers-solutions-for-safer-food.htm) exist for particular food product categories. For powdered, grain and granular products, guidelines exist specifying design requirements for outer packaging, such as tubes and boxes, and also for containers, for example plastic cups. An example of such a regulation is DIN 55540. For packaging containing other kinds or products, for example packaging for chocolates or baked goods, other pieces of legislation, guidelines and standards are applicable.

In the European Union the sale of fresh vegetables and fruit is regulated by EC-specific marketing standards. Newly determined implementing measures published as part of Council Regulation (EC) 1580/2007 combine with the measures in Council Regulation (EC) 2200/96 to specify acceptable special presentation methods as well as appropriate procedures for packaging2.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) enforces packaging requirements for that market. Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) Sec. 403. [21 USC §343]3 specifies the relevant regulations. In addition, the eco packaging claims of manufacturers are supervised by the Federal Trade Commission. The commission works to ensure that for any piece of packaging, ecological claims are applicable not only to small parts of the packaging, but instead to its majority.

Gaining Full Awareness of Food Packaging Regulations

It is important the food manufacturers keep themselves constantly informed of any regulatory changes that may be applicable to their product packaging (http://www.foodsafety.sgs.com/private-label-testing-progr...). By ensuring that products to not violate packaging requirements you will avoid not only the cost of fines for regulatory breaches, but also harm to business due to the costs incurred in the production of new packaging, the waste incurred in terms of marketing resources given to unusable packaging and the cost of product recalls. Inevitably, if deceptive packaging reaches consumer shelves it will likely result not only in recalls but also impact on customer relations.

Current packaging guidelines (http://www.foodsafety.sgs.com/fssc-22000-information-requ...) guard against both involuntary and voluntary use of packaging techniques including downsizing, indented bottoms, slack filling, unnecessary empty spaces, extra walls and over-packaging. There are many regulations enforcing these measures, which may make it seem difficult to keep up to date with all requirements. However, SGS can assist you with packaging compliance through thorough expert examination of your packaging prior to manufacture. Drawing on its food packaging experience and knowledge, SGS will be able to provide you with advice as to the kind of packaging most appropriate for your product. With SGS packaging services, you will be able to:
•   Obtain help with the development of your food packaging
•   Get test reports and results evaluations for your food packaging
•   Ascertain the guidelines and regulations that will be applicable to the assessment of your packaging
•   Measure the slack fill and total volume of packaging using mathematical and water displacement techniques


Contact details:

SGS Consumer Testing Services
SGS INSTITUT FRESENIUS GmbH
Eveline Binder
Regulatory Food Consultant
Im Maisel 14
D-65232 Taunusstein

t +49 6128 744 283
E-mail:  eveline.binder@sgs.com
Website:  http://www.foodsafety.sgs.com/index.htm

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With 59,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and laboratories around the world.

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SGS Consumer Testing Services ensures the quality and safety of every kind of consumer products, from textiles, electronics and furniture to food and automotive.
For more information, please visit: http://www.sgs.com/cts