European Regulation on Delivery Packaging in Catering
Regulation of materials in contact with food
In the catering sector, and particularly for meal delivery , food packaging is of crucial importance, both for food safety and for compliance with legal standards . In Europe, strict regulations govern the materials and methods used to package food to ensure that they do not compromise the quality of the dishes or the health of consumers .
Permitted and prohibited materials
According to Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council, materials intended to come into contact with food must be safe and not transfer harmful substances to food. This legislation applies to all types of materials, whether plastic , paper , glass or metal . Each material used must meet specific standards and not alter the organoleptic properties (taste, smell, texture) of food.
In this context, certain objects are strictly prohibited from direct contact with food due to the health risks they pose. These include staples . These objects, although useful for sealing packaging, are considered dangerous if they come into contact with food. Indeed, staples can be a source of injury or contamination if they become detached and end up in meals, which could lead to risks of accidental ingestion .
Packaging of dishes for delivery
Food delivery is a common practice in the catering industry, and with it, the use of suitable packaging is essential. Restaurants must ensure that the materials used to close the packaging comply with European standards . For example, the use of secure and appropriate closing systems , such as well-fitting lids or specific seals , is encouraged.
On the other hand, using staples to close delivery packages is a practice that does not comply with food safety requirements . This method is prohibited because it poses a risk of contact with food, which contravenes current regulations. Catering professionals must therefore ensure that they use compliant methods to guarantee the safety of delivered dishes.
Alternatives to Sealing Shipping Packaging
To comply with regulations while ensuring the efficiency and safety of food delivery, several alternatives to staples can be considered:
- Linerless adhesive paper (or linerfree) : Compatible with kitchen ticket printers, this paper without glassine support is certified for food contact and resistant to humidity and heat. The preparation time is thus optimized and the closure secures the order like a guarantee adhesive strip.
- Standard Adhesive : Easy to use, but can be time consuming if applied manually.
- Self-sealing bags or boxes : Some packages are designed with built-in closure systems, such as flaps or tabs, that make it easy to seal dishes without using adhesive.
- Plastic or metal clips : These small clips, often used to seal bags, are reusable and practical for flexible packaging. However, they must be certified for food use.
- Food rubber bands : Particularly suitable for bags and certain boxes, these rubber bands are easy to use and reusable, while ensuring good support for the packaging.
These alternatives, in addition to guaranteeing compliance with European standards, ensure the protection of food during transport and facilitate the logistics process in the kitchen.
Conclusion
Compliance with European standards for food packaging is essential to ensure consumer safety and food quality. Restaurants must ensure that they use safe materials and avoid non-compliant methods, such as using staples to seal delivery packages.