Corrugated Packaging: The Trusted Choice for Safe and Hygienic Food Packaging

Christos Vassiliou

Member of the Board of Directors of HPPA

Food safety is currently one of the most important priorities in the entire supply chain, from production to the store shelf and ultimately the consumer. Packaging plays a crucial role in safeguarding products, ensuring not only their quality but also their hygiene. In this context, paper corrugated packaging emerges as one of the most reliable and safe solutions for the transport and distribution of food.

Corrugated packaging is widely used to transport fruits, vegetables, pastries, eggs, meat products, and many more food items. Its special features offer protection against impacts, adequate ventilation, moisture resistance and safe transport, helping to maintain the freshness and quality of the products.

One of the most important advantages of paper corrugated packaging is that it helps to ensure high hygiene standards during the transport and handling of food. During its production process, the material is repeatedly exposed to temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Celsius. In particular, during the production process, paper and corrugated board reach temperatures above 100°C at least three times, which contributes to the elimination of microorganisms and bacteria. The result is clean packaging that is used for the first and only time before being recycled.

This unique property differentiates paper packaging from other reusable transport solutions. In particular, in reusable plastic crates, cleaning efficiency is a critical factor. Over time, plastic surfaces wear down, showing small scratches and cracks where organic matter residues and microorganisms can remain, even after industrial cleaning.

The scientific documentation of the advantages of corrugated packaging is particularly strong. Research carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Food Sciences of the University of Bologna examined the behavior of pathogenic and allogeneic microorganisms on corrugated cardboard and plastic surfaces.

The results were particularly revealing. The scientists found that microorganisms survive significantly less time on the surfaces of corrugated cardboard compared to plastic. Through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), it was observed that microbial populations are trapped in the paper fibers, where they lack water and nutrients. As a result, cell walls are destroyed, cell contents leak out, and microorganisms eventually degrade.

In contrast, smooth plastic surfaces do not have this natural trapping property of microorganisms. Additionally, minor damage generated during the use of reusable plastic boxes can act as germ growth hotspots, increasing the risk of cross-contamination.

Research has also shown that the use of corrugated packaging helps to keep fresh produce fresh for longer. According to the results of the study, fruits and vegetables handled in paper corrugated packaging can retain their quality characteristics for up to three days longer than products transported in reusable plastic boxes.

This finding is particularly important at a time when reducing food waste is a global priority. Longer product lifespans mean fewer losses during transportation, storage, and sale, contributing to both the economic viability of businesses and the reduction of the environmental footprint of the supply chain.

At the same time, each cardboard box is used only once to transport the products. This means that consumers, retailers and producers can be sure that every package that arrives in their hands is new, with no history of previous uses, and without the risk of carrying microbial load from previous shipments.

Paper corrugated packaging therefore combines food safety, hygiene, product protection and circular economy. It is made from renewable raw materials, is widely recycled and supports an efficient paper collection and recycling system across Europe.

 In a world where the demands for safe food, sustainable solutions and responsible consumption are constantly increasing, choosing the right packaging becomes particularly important. Scientific data clearly shows that corrugated paper packaging is a solution that not only protects food, but contributes substantially to maintaining its quality, freshness and safety all the way from producer to consumer.

The HPPA supports the promotion of evidence-based packaging solutions that combine food safety, consumer protection, and circular economy principles, contributing to a more secure and sustainable food supply chain.

Source: University of Bologna – Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, FEFCO (European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers), 2016 & 2018 studies on microbiological safety and preservation of freshness of fresh products in corrugated cardboard packaging.