Packaging for Food Delivery: Materials, Grease Resistance and Temperature Retention

Food delivery packaging must perform across multiple stress factors simultaneously: heat retention during a 30–45 minute delivery, grease and moisture resistance, tamper evidence for safety and consumer trust, and sustainability credentials demanded by consumers and regulators. BestPackFactory manufactures food delivery packaging for restaurant chains and ghost kitchen operators in Asia, the US and Europe.

Heat Retention

Corrugated boxes retain heat better than folding cartons due to the air pocket in the flute structure. E-flute (1.5 mm) is adequate for 20-minute deliveries; B-flute (3 mm) extends heat retention by 30–40%. For longer deliveries, aluminium foil bag liners or insulated packaging are added.

Grease and Moisture Resistance

• PE coating: Polyethylene laminated to one or both sides. Fully grease and moisture resistant. Not recyclable. Used for burger boxes, fried chicken boxes.
• PFAS-free fluorocarbon coating: Now mandated in 12+ US states and effectively required for EU market. Water-based barrier coating without perfluorinated chemicals. BestPackFactory uses PFAS-free barriers exclusively for food packaging.
• PLA coating: Plant-based polylactic acid. Compostable under industrial conditions. Grease resistant up to 90°C.

Tamper-Evident Features

• Tamper-evident sticker seal (applied by restaurant at packaging time)
• Snap-lock tab that breaks on first opening
• Perforated security strip on bag flap

FDA Food Contact Compliance

All food contact materials must comply with FDA 21 CFR §176.170 (paper and paperboard) or §176.180 (coatings). BestPackFactory provides FDA compliance declarations on request.

Compostable Options

PLA-coated paperboard with BPI certification. Suitable for brands making compostable claims. Requires collection by an industrial compost facility — home compostable standards require different materials. Lead time: 18–22 days, MOQ: 2,000 pcs.