Imagine that you’re a customer, anxiously waiting for the catering company to arrive with the food for your important event.
They turn up on time, but then start unpacking unlabelled containers leaking grease.
It would be natural for you question the quality of the food when so little care had been taken with its packaging.
Packaging is often the first impression customers get of your company’s food, so it’s essential that it sends the right message.
The food packaging you choose should reflect the level of care, quality, and professionalism that has gone into preparing the food for the event.
Why choosing the right food packaging matters
Packaging does much more than just contain the food.
Good packaging should protect your food during transport, preserve its quality, and make a good first impression with customers.
Poor quality packaging risks undermining the quality of even the most delicious food, while high-quality packaging can help to present your business as both professional and reliable.
What are the most common food packaging mistakes that catering companies make?
Poor food packaging choices can reflect badly on your catering company and undermine the quality of your food.
We’ve put together a list of the most common food packaging mistakes made by catering companies, so you know what to avoid.
Not choosing functional packaging
At the bare minimum, your food packaging needs to be fit for purpose.
If you don’t choose the right packaging for the type of food you’re storing, you risk spoiling food quality before it even reaches the customer.
When selecting packaging for your food, always ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the food need to be kept at a certain temperature?
- Is the food greasy?
- Does the packaging need to be leak-proof?
- Does the food need ventilating?
- Does the food need to be frozen or microwaved?
How you answer these should help to guide your food packaging decisions.
Not checking if the packaging is food-grade
This one should be obvious, but some catering companies still get it wrong.
Food should only ever be packaged in containers that are certified as food safe.
Food-grade packaging is made from materials that prevent any harmful substances from being transferred to the food.
Not considering environmental impact
Many customers now favour working with companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, and your packaging is a good way to show this.
Choose packaging that’s biodegradable, compostable, or made from recyclable materials to reduce your company’s carbon footprint and position it as environmentally responsible.
Not labelling packaging clearly
Clearly labelled food packaging is important for health and safety compliance in the catering industry.
Your customers need to know exactly what ingredients have been used so that those eating can make informed decisions, particularly when it comes to allergens and dietary requirements.
Important information to include on your food packaging includes:
- Ingredients list
- Allergen information
- Storage instructions
- Use-by or best-before dates
Not customising the packaging
While food packaging is there to do a job – protect the food inside it – there’s no reason why it shouldn’t look good too.
Customising your packaging helps to turn it into a valuable marketing tool, shaping customer perception and influencing buying decisions.
At Venturepak, we offer in-mould labelling, allowing you to print your design directly onto the containers for a premium, durable finish.
Branded packaging then helps your business to communicate its brand identity, differentiate itself from competitors, and create a more professional image.
How can Venturepak help you avoid these mistakes?
At Venturepak, we help food and catering companies choose packaging that both protects the quality of their food and creates a professional first impression.
All our food containers are made from high-quality 100% food-grade materials and produced to BRC Global Standards (Grade A+).
We offer containers of all shapes and sizes, designed to prevent leaks and maintain food quality throughout storage and transportation.
Whether you serve hot dishes, chilled foods, or takeaway items, we can help you find the most suitable packaging for your catering company.
You can browse our full range of food packaging online, or if you need help choosing the right containers for your catering company, get in touch today with our team by calling 01744 425 111, or emailing sales@venturepak.co.uk
