The food packaging market is changing: as food packaging consumption continues to rise, laws on proper and sustainable food packaging are also becoming more stringent. In this part of the 3-part series, we'll show you the most important legal requirements you need to follow for your product, as well as the mandatory food labeling information. Click here if you want to learn more about the other parts of our series, "Everything about food packaging: Tasks, application areas and material" and our "4 tips for more sustainability in food packaging", would like to know.

Legal requirements for your food packaging

In general, the legal requirements for and information on food packaging can be divided into 4 pillars:

1. Framework: "Regulation on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food": Framework for food packaging
2. Consumer Goods Ordinance: Requirements for consumer goods and food contact materials and articles
3. VerpackG: Packaging Act regulating packaging waste.
4. Mandatory information on food packaging: EU-wide requirements for your product packaging labels

The framework for your food packaging: Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004

The Regulation on materials and articles intended to come into contact with food (1935/2004) is a Europe-wide regulation that came into force in 2004. This regulation serves as the legal basis for all food packaging to ensure that the materials and packaging of your products do not have a negative effect on the health of your consumers. This regulation contains many relevant aspects that you have to consider for your food packaging. For example, your food description on the packaging must not mislead the consumer, for example in the form of intrusive advertising or presentation(European Union, 2021).

Consumer Goods Ordinance for Food

The German Consumer Goods Ordinance (BedGgstV) regulates the requirements for consumer goods and food contact materials and specifies the various materials and substances that may come into contact with your food. Every food comes into contact with different materials, regardless of whether your product is packaged or passed on to your consumer unpackaged. For example, even unpackaged products, such as fruit or vegetables, are transported in cartons. This regulation applies even to this type of packaging, as they come into contact with food. In this regulation you will find, for example, substances that must not come into contact with your food products, such as synthetic dyes, because they could endanger the health of consumers(Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety, n.d.).

The new packaging law: VerpackG

In addition to the general regulations, there is the Packaging Act, VerpackG, which came into force in mid-2021 and is the answer to more and more packaging waste. The VerpackG regulates the introduction of new packaging as well as the return and recycling of packaging waste. Since the law is very extensive, we have written a separate blog post on this topic, "What does the new VerpackG mean for your brand?"(Bundesministerium der Justiz und für Verbraucherschutz, 2012).

Do you need help with your individual food packaging for your products? Then feel free to book an appointment with our design service. We are also happy to advise you on general questions about individual food packaging.

Mandatory information on your food packaging

Not only the food packaging, but also the labeling of your food packaging with the correct labeling is important to inform your customers precisely about your product. For this reason, there are various specifications and guidelines that show you exactly what must be written on your packaging labels. On the one hand, the food industry includes food, as described in our blog post "Everything about food packaging: Tasks, areas of application & material", and on the other hand beverages. We have also addressed the topic of beverage packaging in two other blogposts: First, what the different Beverage packaging options and, on the other hand, how you can Labeling drinks correctly. However, if you make your own food, then the following regulation is relevant to you: The Food Information Regulation, which came into force in 2014 and applies to both food and beverages. According to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the minimum information is as follows (Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, 2021):

1. Food name: type and description of the product (e.g. in the case of a chocolate bar, the product category, i.e. "confectionery", and a short description, e.g. "chocolate snack").
2. Indication of ingredients: All the ingredients of your product must be visible, ordered by weight (e.g. in the case of almond butter, here are the ingredients you need to prepare it: 98% almonds, 2% honey, etc.).
3. Allergen labeling: This includes the 14 most important ingredients that can trigger allergies. If your product contains legumes, for example, this must be mentioned.
4. Net quantity: quantity of the product without packaging in volume.
5. Best before date: How long your food is expected to last, provided the product is stored properly.
6. Address of the company: The company name and address provide information about the responsibility of the product.
7. Origin labeling: The proof of where the product comes from, in the form of place and country.
8. Instructions for use: If your product needs instructions, these must be listed, for example how to prepare your product (e.g. in the case of a baking mix).
9. Nutrition labeling ("Big 7"): The Big 7 contains 7 mandatory statements that inform consumers about nutritional values:

As you can see, there are several challenges regarding guidelines in the food packaging industry. We hope that with this blog post we could give you a first insight into this big world. If you are interested in this topic and would like to receive more information, please contact us via hello@palamo.com. We look forward to your inquiry!

Dein Palamo Team <3