Paper food box play a significant role in the food industry due to their eco-friendly nature and versatility in application. Here's an overview of their use in the Catering Industry.
Primary and Secondary Packaging: Paper and paperboard are used extensively for both primary (direct contact with food) and secondary (transportation and storage of primary packages) food packaging. They are particularly used for items like ice-cream cups, microwave popcorn bags, baking paper, milk cartons, fast food containers, and beverage cups .
Types of Paper Used:
1. Kraft Paper: Known for its high strength and coarse structure, kraft paper is used for packaging flour, sugar, dried fruits, and vegetables. It's also used in microwaveable food containers .
2. Bleached Paper: Used when appearance is more important than strength, bleached paper is often coated with clay for food applications .
3. Wrapping Tissue Paper: Used as a liner for bakery products, sandwich wraps, and box liners .
4. Greaseproof Paper: Made from chemical pulp treated with sulfuric acid, this paper is oil-resistant and has excellent wet strength, making it suitable for wrapping butter or as a layer between slices of pastry or meat .
5. Waxed Paper: Coated with wax to improve its barrier properties against liquids and gases, waxed paper is used for packaging bread, biscuits, dairy products, and more .
6. Paperboard: With a grammage of more than 250 gsm, paperboard is thicker than paper and is used for rigid boxes, milk and juice cartons. It can also be used for bulk packaging of food products like flour and sugar .
7. Composite Cans and Fibre Drums: These are rigid structures used for packaging a variety of food products, including refrigerated dough, snacks, and milk powder .
8. Multiwall Paper Sacks: Used for bulk packaging of food items like flour, potatoes, and grain, these sacks are lightweight and biodegradable .
9. Corrugated Fibreboard (CFB): Commonly used for packaging fruits and vegetables, CFB provides cushioning and abrasion resistance .
10. Paperboard Based Liquid Packaging: Used for packaging liquids like milk, juices, and cooking oil, this type of packaging extends the shelf-life of products due to sterilization treatment .
11. Labels and Adhesives: Paper labels are used for providing information about the food product, while adhesives are used for sealing and laminating packaging materials .
Despite paper containers are therefore a popular choice in the food industry, but must be carefully selected as suppliers and used correctly to ensure safety and minimize environmental impact.
