Custom Packaging for Food Brands: Complete Guide from Brief to Shelf

Food packaging must satisfy three audiences simultaneously: the retailer (shelf efficiency, planogram fit), the consumer (visibility, convenience, trust signals) and the regulator (ingredient labelling, allergens, nutrition, country of origin). BestPackFactory manufactures custom food packaging for brands selling through grocery retail, online and foodservice channels.

Regulatory Label Requirements

US (FDA 21 CFR Part 101): Product name, net contents, ingredient list (descending order by weight), allergen statement, Nutrition Facts panel, manufacturer/distributor name and address. For organic: USDA NOP certification logo and certifier name.

EU (Regulation 1169/2011): Same elements plus: best before/use by date format (DD/MM/YYYY), lot number, country of origin for meat, honey, olive oil and fresh produce, minimum font size 1.2 mm for mandatory information.

Packaging Formats by Category

• Dry goods (tea, coffee, pasta, nuts): Stand-up pouches or paper bags with resealable zip
• Condiments, sauces: Folding carton sleeve over glass or plastic jar
• Confectionery: Folding carton or flow wrap with inner sachet
• Frozen food: Printed carton with moisture-resistant coating
• Fresh produce: Punnet or tray with paper band or printed film lid

Shelf-Ready Packaging (SRP)

Major UK and European retailers (Tesco, Carrefour, Aldi, Lidl) require SRP. The secondary case perforates along a printed tear line to create the display-ready shelf unit. BestPackFactory designs SRP with easy-open perforation pattern and branding on the perforated front panel.

Food Contact Compliance

All BestPackFactory food packaging complies with: EU 10/2011 (food contact plastics), FDA 21 CFR §176.170 (paper), GB 4806 (China). Compliance declarations provided with each order.

Timeline: From Brief to Shelf

Week 1: brief and quote. Week 2: digital artwork and dieline. Week 3: physical sample. Weeks 4–7: mass production. Week 8–10: freight. Allow 10–12 weeks total from brief to warehouse arrival for sea freight to Europe or the US.