As you probably already know, there are many factors that come into play when you are packaging food products, and we understand that generalizing food as a category really broadens the scope. With numerous types of foods, each with different regulations and guidelines that must be followed it can be an overwhelming topic. Which is why we're covering the top six 'need-to-know' topics that any type of food manufacturer should know for their product packaging.

SQF, or Safe Quality Food, is a rigorous certification program in the safe handling of foods for manufacturers and distributors that is recognized all over the world. It’s not new - it’s been around for over 20 years, and is designed to be used in all sectors of the food industry including farming, manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and even food for our pets. This certification minimizes the incidence of unsafe food reaching the market place and involves training a SQF practitioner, possibly contracting a consultant, getting a program written, passing a desk audit and then, at last, passing the on-site certification audit. It takes a good amount of perseverance to get this certificate, but fear not! There are some great benefits to this effort. Here are 5 compelling reasons to implementing an SQF program:

The products you manufacture for consumer purchase must be designed with proper planning and research to provide the most value with the lowest cost of production. This means that the packaging you go to market will require attention to detail in order to gain visibility in the marketplace as well as to convey the value that the product holds. The packaging materials themselves and the visual appeal are vital in grasping consumer’s attention, making the sale, and gaining repeat business. Think more of product packaging as an investment - rather than an added cost.

When you are budgeting for packaging, there are several factors that can impact your total cost of packaging, and several ways you can reduce these costs by optimizing your current processes. It's difficult to simply place a specific dollar amount to a project like this because no business operates the same way, and what works ideally for your packaging line may not work for any other business in your market. Sometimes you have to think outside of the box to fully realize the potential for cost-savings. Selecting who you work with and when you bring them in can significantly impact the dollar amount you can expect to budget. Here are a few other items that can impact your total packaging cost, including multilayer films, bundling films, maintenance, and new technology:

As a Brand Manager, Packaging Designer, or Production/Plant Manager, your primary focuses are safe and effective packaging as well as your bottom line. Packaging affects so many aspects of your product line, and with that, your business. Growth, revenue, and reducing costs can all be tied directly into the way you package and ship your products. So, while your industrial packaging products need to adhere to certain standards of quality and safety, how efficiently they are executed is just as important to your business.

Your packaging makes a statement about how you do business. Here is an easy, three-step plan to master your packaging and make a great impression.