Entering the world of packaging suppliers can feel like learning a new language. MOQ? Migration? PCR? FSC? Misunderstanding these terms can lead to costly mistakes, compliance failures, and frustrating communication breakdowns.
Understanding key packaging industry jargon is essential for emerging health food founders to make informed decisions, communicate effectively with suppliers, compare quotes accurately, and ensure their packaging meets technical, compliance, and sustainability requirements.
As a packaging specialist at Suzhou Kingsway Packaging, I often find myself translating these terms for founders. To help you navigate conversations with confidence, here’s a plain-English glossary of crucial packaging jargon you’re likely to encounter.
Key Packaging Terms Explained for Health Food Founders
Let’s break down some of the most common and important terms:
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)
- What it means: The smallest quantity of a specific packaging item that a supplier is willing to produce or sell in a single order.
- Why it matters to startups: MOQs are often high (thousands or tens of thousands of units) due to machine setup costs, making it challenging for startups needing small initial batches. High MOQs tie up cash in inventory and increase risk if designs need changing.
- Kingsway Approach: We understand startup needs. While MOQs exist, we offer solutions like digital printing and modular design to achieve viable small runs, and our sales team works to find flexible solutions where possible.
Migration (in Food Packaging)
- What it means: The transfer of tiny amounts of chemicals from the packaging material into the food product itself.
- Why it matters: Food safety regulations (like FDA and especially the stricter EU No.10/2011) set limits on how much specific substances can migrate to ensure consumer safety. This is critical for compliance and retailer acceptance (like Whole Foods).
- Key Concepts:
- SML (Specific Migration Limit): Max allowed migration for a single substance.
- OML (Overall Migration Limit): Max allowed migration for all substances combined.
- Testing: Done using food simulants (acidic, fatty, alcoholic) under specific time/temperature conditions.
- Kingsway Assurance: Our materials are selected and tested to meet stringent migration limits (EU No.10/2011), and we provide Declarations of Compliance (DoCs) documenting this.
PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) Content
- What it means: Material that has been used by consumers, collected through recycling programs, cleaned, reprocessed, and made into new packaging.
- Why it matters: Using PCR reduces reliance on virgin resources, lowers carbon footprint, and meets growing consumer and retailer demand for circularity. Crucially for food, PCR must be certified "food-grade" through rigorous decontamination and regulatory approval (e.g., FDA LNO).
- Kingsway Offering: We source certified food-grade PCR materials (like rPET) and provide documentation verifying content percentage and safety compliance.
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) Certification
- What it means: An independent, non-profit organization certification ensuring that paperboard or wood-based packaging components come from responsibly managed forests that provide environmental, social, and economic benefits.
- Why it matters: Demonstrates commitment to responsible sourcing, often required by eco-conscious retailers and consumers. Using the FSC logo requires certification throughout the supply chain (Chain of Custody).
- Kingsway Capability: We offer FSC-certified paperboard options and maintain Chain of Custody certification, allowing you to legally use the FSC logo on your packaging produced by us.
BRC (Brand Reputation Compliance Global Standards)
- What it means: A leading global safety and quality certification program specifically for packaging manufacturers. BRC certification involves rigorous third-party audits covering hygiene, hazard control (HACCP), quality management, and process control.
- Why it matters: Provides strong assurance of your supplier’s commitment to producing safe, legal, and high-quality packaging. It significantly de-risks your supply chain and is often highly regarded (or required) by major retailers.
- Kingsway Standard: We are proud to be BRC certified, reflecting our commitment to the highest operational standards.
Barrier Properties (OTR/WVTR)
- What it means: The ability of the packaging material to prevent the transmission of gases (like oxygen – OTR) and moisture (Water Vapor – WVTR). (See Example 11 for more detail).
- Why it matters: Crucial for maintaining product freshness, extending shelf life (especially for natural foods without preservatives), and preventing spoilage.
- Kingsway Solution: We help you select materials with the specific OTR/WVTR values needed for your product’s protection.
Declaration of Compliance (DoC)
- What it means: A formal document issued by the packaging supplier confirming that the packaging materials comply with relevant food contact regulations (like FDA, EU No.10/2011). It should detail the materials used, testing conditions, and compliance status.
- Why it matters: Essential documentation required by retailers (especially in Europe or those following EU standards) to prove packaging safety. Lack of a proper DoC can block market access.
- Kingsway Practice: We provide comprehensive DoCs for all our food-contact packaging.
Still have questions about packaging terms or how they apply to your brand?
Our team is happy to clarify and help you navigate the specifics.
Request a Free Consultation Call
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Speak the Language of Packaging
Understanding these key terms empowers you, the health food founder, to have more productive conversations with suppliers, make smarter choices, and avoid costly pitfalls. Don’t be intimidated by the jargon; use this glossary as your guide.
At Suzhou Kingsway Packaging, we believe in transparency and education. We’re not just manufacturers; we’re partners dedicated to helping you succeed by demystifying the complexities of food-grade packaging.
Ready to discuss your packaging needs with experts who speak your language (and the technical jargon)?
Let’s translate your vision into compliant, effective packaging.
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