The 12 Most Common Types of Food Packaging & Their Uses

14 Jul.,2025

 

The 12 Most Common Types of Food Packaging & Their Uses

Whether you're running a small bakery or a bustling food manufacturing company, choosing the right food packaging is crucial for success in the uber-competitive food industry. We'll explore various types of food packaging, from primary packaging to tertiary packaging used for transporting food. Let's unwrap this topic and dig in!

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Why is food packaging important?


The main goal of food packaging is to provide a practical means to contain a portion of food. However, food packages serve several other essential functions, including:

Preservation and protection

The right food packaging materials ensure food safety by preventing contamination and extending shelf life. Food manufacturing companies invest heavily in developing packaging solutions that protect products from dust, chemical reactions, and light exposure.

Information display

Packaging labels communicate crucial details about the product, including ingredients and allergen information.

Customer convenience

Well-designed food containers make handling, consumption, and preservation easier for customers.

Brand awareness

Packaging helps differentiate your product on the shelf, building brand recognition.

12 different types of food packaging to consider


From flexible packaging that bends over backwards for your goodies to rigid packaging that stands up to any challenge, we've got a buffet of the most common food packaging materials to explore. Let's unwrap some sustainable food packaging examples, shall we?

1. Recyclable stand-up pouches

Flexible packaging is taking the food packaging industry by storm, and for good reason! noissue's custom stand-up pouches are a game-changer for food packaging supplies. They're FDA-approved, food-safe, and perfect for various food products, from snack crackers to frozen treats. This packaging material is more environmentally friendly than most plastic packaging, helping companies score points with eco-conscious customers.

2. Glass jars and containers

Glass packaging is a classic choice in the food industry. These versatile food containers are perfect for packaging food products like jams, sauces, and beverages.

Packaging food in glass jars offers excellent preservation, extending their shelf life while showcasing them beautifully.

3. Recyclable sandwich bags

Recyclable sandwich bags are the perfect eco-friendly replacement for the countless plastic sandwich bags that usually end up in landfills and oceans.

noissue's custom sandwich bags are ideal for sandwiches, snacks, chips, and dried fruit. Made from recycled fibers and kraft paper, these bags are an excellent choice for food manufacturers looking to reduce their environmental impact.

4. Paperboard boxes

Paperboard is a versatile material used in folding cartons, beverage containers, and other food packaging applications. noissue's custom folded takeout containers are made from recyclable materials and are an eco-friendly choice for food product packaging.

5. Compostable Food Wrapping Paper


Compostable food wrapping paper is an excellent alternative to plastic wrap. noissue's custom food wrapping paper is made from FSC-certified paper and printed with food-safe inks. These food packaging materials are perfect for wrapping sandwiches, baked goods, and other food items.

Personalize your food wrapping paper with your brand's design. It's a great way to elevate your packaging while demonstrating your commitment to sustainability. Your customers will appreciate the eco-friendly touch and the stylish presentation—a win-win for your brand and the environment!

6. Recyclable wax paper


Recyclable wax paper is the way to go for greasy or wet foods. Unlike traditional wax paper, noissue's custom wax paper is 100% recyclable, making it a star player in reducing packaging waste.

This type of flexible packaging protects and personalizes pastries, sandwiches, cheeses, and baked goods in bakeries, delis, and cafes.

7. Corrugated cardboard boxes


Corrugated cardboard packaging is essential in the food packaging supply chain, typically used for secondary packaging to ship packaged products. noissue offers custom container shipping boxes made from recyclable materials that are perfect for e-commerce food businesses.

Corrugated boxes are one of the most frequently and successfully recycled packaging materials worldwide, making them a favorite in sustainable food packaging.

Personalize your boxes with your brand's design for a cohesive unboxing experience.

8. Food delivery paper bags

A paper bag is not just a better option for the environment; it is also more robust and durable than standard plastic packaging. noissue's custom takeout bags are made from 100% recycled fibers and are recyclable and reusable. They come with handles, making them perfect for your takeout and delivery needs. You can use these eco-friendly bags to package confectionery, gourmet foods, and small groceries.


9. Clamshell takeout containers

Clamshells made from styrofoam are not recyclable, while those made from plant-based or organic materials are biodegradable and eco-friendly. noissue's custom clamshell takeout containers are made from sugarcane fiber, offering a compostable alternative to plastic containers. Our clamshell packaging is petroleum-free, tree-free, and commercially compostable, making it an excellent choice for sustainable packaging of food products.

For more information, please visit Renhe.

10. Recyclable coffee bags

Just like wrapping paper, most coffee bags are not recyclable. They are made by combining aluminum foil and polythene plastic to create a multi-layered structure that is compact enough to preserve the quality of the coffee beans.

noissue's recyclable coffee bags are made from recycled paper – perfect for packaging coffee, tea, and small baked goods. They're designed to keep products fresh while being kind to the environment.

Customize these bags with your brand's design. Features like degassing valves ensure your coffee stays fresh from roasting to brewing.

11. Resealable coffee bags

For premium coffee packaging, noissue's resealable coffee bags with a bottom gusset are a game-changer. Features like press-to-close zippers, degassing valves, and barrier films keep coffee fresh and flavorful.

Personalize these bags with your brand's design for a professional, high-end look.

12. Compostable pizza boxes

Billions of pizzas are sold each year, and when most people are done with their delicious pie, they simply dump the box in the trash. noissue's compostable pizza boxes offer an eco-friendly alternative to traditional pizza packaging. Made with B flute corrugate, they're both compostable and recyclable.

How to choose food packaging materials for your business

With so many types of food packaging materials available, from flexible packaging to rigid options like glass bottles, it's crucial to choose the food packaging material that best suits your needs.

Here's your guide to whipping up the ideal packaging solution:

Consider your product's unique needs

Just as every dish has its own flavor profile, each product has specific packaging requirements:

  • Is it temperature-sensitive like ice cream? Opt for packaging material that can withstand the cold.
  • Selling gourmet meals? Look for microwaveable types of packaging materials to enhance convenience.
  • Packaging fresh produce? Consider materials that allow for proper ventilation.
  • Dealing with processed food? Explore options like aseptic cartons or metal cans.

Packaging for food should preserve flavor, shape, and texture while maximizing shelf life and reducing food wastage.

Think about shelf appeal

Your packaging is your product's outfit for its shelf debut! So, consider:

  • How will it look among competitors?
  • Is it easy to stack and display?
  • Does it reflect your brand's personality?Eye-catching packaging can be the difference between a browser and a buyer! Explore various materials to find the perfect fit for your food items.

Sustainability isn't just trendy – it's often the law:

  • Research packaging regulations in your target markets.
  • Opt for eco-friendly food packaging options where possible.
  • Partner with suppliers (like noissue!) who prioritize sustainability and offer paper-based material that's kind to the environment.

Balance quality and cost

While it's tempting to cut costs, remember that your packaging is an investment in your product:

  • Don't compromise on quality for a lower price.
  • Consider the long-term benefits of durable, attractive packaging.
  • Look for suppliers offering bulk discounts for better value.

The goal? Find packaging that protects your product, pleases your customers, and doesn't break the bank!

By considering these factors, you'll be well on your way to choosing the right food packaging material that's as impressive as the delicious treats inside.

???? Wrapping It Up

The food packaging industry is evolving at lightning speed, folks! From eco-friendly alternatives to smart solutions that reduce waste, there's never been a more exciting time to wrap, box, or bag your goodies.

noissue is here to help you ride this delicious wave of innovation. We offer:

  • Sustainable options for all your packaging needs.
  • Customizable designs to make your brand shine.
  • Solutions for every type of food, from frozen snacks to baked treats.

Plastic Packaging for Food: What to Know

Plastic Packaging for Food: What to Know

In recent years, plastic packaging supplies have been on the receiving end of some pretty bad press. Because plastic is such an incredibly popular material for packaging, it's also one of the more common items to see littered on the side of the road or tossed in a landfill to take up space for hundreds of years to come. Sustainably minded consumers across the world have their hearts in the right place and view plastic waste as one of the main concerns of the environmental movement that has swept the globe over the past few decades. Though plastic presents some valid concerns, it is also a highly versatile and helpful component for a variety of functions. This is especially true when we look at plastic packaging for food. There are a few elements that are necessary to understand when examining plastic food and beverage packaging, including the many advantages it brings to consumers, manufacturers, and retailers alike, and also how it affects the natural world around us.  

Plastic Packaging for a Longer Lifespan

Plastic packaging for food brings one huge benefit to every single person it encounters during the supply chain – it helps extend the shelf life of the consumables inside. The vast majority of food products have a relatively short life expectancy, especially when it comes to fresh produce, meats, dairy, or baked goods. One of the only packaging materials that is capable of protecting these kinds of foods is plastic. Though it seems like a fairly generic product, plastic comes in a huge variety of styles and substrates, each with its own unique properties to make it appropriate for different applications. Certain types of plastic will offer premium protection to sensitive foods, which keeps them fresh for longer periods. This makes it possible to reach more consumers and for the individual buyers to keep the food in their home for greater amounts of time. One of the best aspects of this extended shelf life is that, in turn, it helps reduce food waste overall. A prolonged lifespan creates more opportunity for a consumer to actually eat the food they purchased, making it less likely to end up in a trash can or recycling bin.  

Convenience and Ease of Use

Anyone who creates or develops packaging should understand one key idea about nearly every consumer in the United States – convenience is king. Plastic packaging for food that is designed to be functional and helpful quickly augments the user experience of anyone buying that food. Not only can plastic packaging supplies be used as quick, easy to handle takeout containers, but they also make life more convenient because of their protective abilities. Because plastic helps to extend the lifespan of the many edible goods it houses, grocery chains, convenience stores, restaurants, and beyond can stock more items for their customers to select from and are able to keep those items on the shelves longer. Additionally, the end user will be able to buy that food and keep it in their own kitchen cupboards for more time than would be possible without the help of plastic packaging.  

Plastic Packaging for Food is Safe and Sanitary

The safety and integrity of the food we eat is paramount to our health and wellbeing. This has always been true, but with the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic in , the need for secure, sanitary food and beverage storage is more important than ever before. Thankfully, plastic packaging for food offers just that. Plastic packaging materials do an excellent job safeguarding your meals, snacks, and drinks from external contaminants – both in the air around us and that may be lingering on the hands of others. Whether it’s a plastic vacuum seal pouch protecting a cut of meat, a sealed plastic bag holding your potato chips, or a basic plastic clamshell container covering a tasty slice of cake, plastic includes a diverse range of packaging supplies that keep your food safe from harm, whether you can see those dangers or not.  

For more food packaging bag factoryinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.

The Benefits of Plastic Packaging for Food