Food-Grade Packaging – How to Choose the Right Solution

Choosing the right packaging involves more than just shape and design.

The contents, material, filling process, and closure all play a role in finding the right solution.

Whether you produce beverages, food products, or dietary supplements, your packaging needs to be suitable for the product's specific requirements and intended use.

In this guide, we explain what food-grade packaging means and what to consider when choosing bottles, jars, and closures.

At Creopack, we offer a wide range of packaging for food and beverages, from glass bottles and glass jars to PET, rPET, and various types of closures.

What is food-grade packaging?

Food-grade packaging is packaging that meets current requirements for materials that come into contact with food.

According to EU Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, packaging materials must not transfer substances to food in quantities that could pose a health risk, change the composition of the food in an unacceptable way, or impair its taste and smell.

The requirements also apply to the parts of the closure that come into contact with the contents, such as caps, lids, and seals (liners).

All products in Creopack’s Food & Beverage category are approved for food contact. However, it is important to choose packaging that suits your specific product and its usage conditions.

What should you consider when choosing food packaging?

Different foods and beverages place different demands on packaging. Before choosing a bottle or jar, there are some important factors to consider.

Product contents

Is it a carbonated beverage, an alcoholic product, an oil, or a dry food item?

Products with high acidity, fat, or alcohol content may have specific requirements for materials and closures.

Carbonated beverages like beer, cider, and soda, for example, require bottles and closures designed for internal pressure.

Filling temperature

Will the product be filled hot or cold?

Not all packaging is adapted for high temperatures. This is especially true for PET and rPET, where the bottle’s design and material determine which temperatures it can withstand.

Glass packaging must also be chosen based on the filling process and any temperature fluctuations.

Light and barrier properties

Certain products are sensitive to light, oxygen, or moisture, which can affect taste, quality, and shelf life.

For beer, cider, wine, and certain oils, for example, darker glass can provide better protection against light. Brown glass generally offers better UV protection than green or clear glass.

Products that are particularly sensitive to oxygen or moisture may require packaging with custom barrier properties or special closures.

Closure and storage

The right closure is just as important as the packaging itself.

Screw caps, corks, lids, pouring rings, shrink capsules, and other closures have different functions. The choice is influenced by the contents, the neck finish of the bottle or jar, and how the product will be used.

Transport, storage, and desired shelf life also need to be included in the assessment.

Glass, PET, or rPET – which material is best?

There are several materials suitable for food packaging. The choice depends on the product's characteristics, area of use, and the requirements placed on the packaging.

Glass packaging

Glass has good barrier properties and is used for many types of food and beverages.

It is a common choice for wine, beer, cider, spirits, liqueur, juice, oil, vinegar, sauces, and spices.

Glass bottles and glass jars are available in many shapes, sizes, and colors. For products sensitive to light, darker glass can be an option.

At Creopack, you will find both classic and more designed glass packaging for various applications.

Explore our glass bottles →

PET packaging

PET is a lightweight and durable plastic material used for both bottles and jars.

It is suitable for many types of food and beverages, provided the packaging is adapted to the contents and usage conditions.

Creopack offers PET bottles and PET jars in various sizes and shapes. We also offer specific PET bottles for carbonated beverages.

See our plastic bottles and plastic jars →

rPET packaging

rPET is PET plastic made from recycled material. It has many of the same properties as virgin PET, but may have a slightly grayer or darker tint. The color difference depends on factors such as the composition and quality of the recycled material.

Within the EU, requirements for at least 25% recycled plastic in certain PET beverage bottles have been in effect since 2025. From 2030, a target of at least 30% will apply to plastic beverage bottles covered by the regulations. The requirements are calculated as an average and do not automatically apply to every individual package.

At Creopack, you will find both PET and rPET bottles and jars in various sizes for food and beverages.

Which packaging fits your product?

Different products need different packaging solutions. Here are some common applications and what is important to keep in mind.

Wine, spirits, and liqueur

Glass or plastic bottles in various shapes, colors, and sizes. The closure, alcohol content, and the product's visual expression influence the choice. For light-sensitive beverages, darker glass can be an option.

Beer and cider

Glass bottles as well as PET bottles adapted to the beverage's properties. For carbonated products, pressure resistance and the right closure are particularly important. The color of the bottle can also affect how well the contents are protected against light.

Juice, must, and non-alcoholic beverages

Glass or PET bottles depending on content and filling method. Filling temperature, storage, and desired shelf life are important factors when choosing.

Carbonated beverages

Specially adapted glass or PET bottles that can withstand the pressure from carbonation. The closure must also be intended for this type of beverage.

Oil, vinegar, and dressing

Glass bottles in various sizes and shapes, with options for, for example, screw caps or pouring closures. For some oils, darker glass can help protect the contents from light.

Sauces and other liquid foods

Glass bottles or plastic packaging in PET and HDPE may be suitable depending on the product's content, consistency, and filling method. For products like ketchup, mustard, and dressing, a Twist Open cap can make it easier to dispense the right amount.

Spices and dry foods

Glass jars, glass bottles, or suitable plastic jars. The choice of lid or spice shaker affects both dosage and how well the contents are protected against moisture.

Dietary supplements

PET and rPET jars in various sizes. For powders, capsules, and tablets, the tightness of the closure and protection against moisture can be particularly important.

Regulations and documentation for food packaging

Packaging that comes into contact with food is subject to specific rules within the EU.

The most important regulations include:

Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004
Basic requirements for materials and products intended to come into contact with food.

Regulation (EC) No 2023/2006
Rules on good manufacturing practice for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Regulation (EU) No 10/2011
Specific requirements for plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

Regulation (EU) 2022/1616
Rules for recycled plastic materials and articles intended to come into contact with food.

New EU rules for packaging – PPWR
The EU's new packaging regulation, Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Regulation (EU) 2025/40, introduces new requirements for packaging and packaging waste.

The regulation entered into force on February 11, 2025, and begins to apply generally on August 12, 2026, with various transition periods for certain requirements.

PPWR covers areas such as packaging recyclability, material use, labeling, and requirements for recycled content in plastic packaging.

For companies in the food and beverage industry, this means that the choice of packaging material and design will become an important part of the work to meet future requirements.

When choosing new packaging, it is therefore wise to think about both the product's needs and future packaging requirements.

What is a Declaration of Compliance (DoC)?

A Declaration of Compliance (DoC) is a document demonstrating that a material or product meets the applicable requirements for food contact.

For plastic materials, there are specific requirements for such documentation. The documentation needed depends on the material and the product's area of use.

Do you need information about a specific package? Contact us and we will help you investigate what product documentation is available.

We help you find the right packaging

At Creopack, we help breweries, distilleries, juice producers, and other food producers find bottles, jars, and closures that suit their products.

We offer a wide standard range and can also help find more customized packaging solutions.

Please let us know what you are packaging, what quantities you need, and if your product has specific requirements regarding things like filling temperature, light protection, or closure.

Vanliga frågor om
livsmedelsgodkända förpackningar

Nej, alla glasflaskor är inte automatiskt lämpliga för alla livsmedel och användningsområden. Alla glasflaskor i Creopacks kategori Livsmedel & Dryck är avsedda för livsmedelskontakt.

Ja, både PET och rPET kan användas för livsmedelsförpackningar när materialen uppfyller tillämpliga krav. För återvunnen plast gäller särskilda bestämmelser.

Det beror på flaskans konstruktion och material. Alla PET-flaskor är inte lämpliga för varmfyllning. Fråga oss därför alltid vilken fyllningstemperatur förpackningen är avsedd för.

Kolsyrade drycker som öl, cider och läsk behöver flaskor och förslutningar som är anpassade för invändigt tryck. Det finns
särskilda glas- och PET-flaskor för detta ändamål.

Mörkare glas kan vara ett bra val för ljuskänsliga produkter, exempelvis öl, vissa viner och oljor. Brunt glas ger generellt ett
bättre skydd mot UV-ljus än grönt eller klart glas.

Creopack erbjuder glasflaskor, glasburkar,
PET-flaskor, PET- och rPET-burkar samt förslutningar för företag inom livsmedels- och dryckesindustrin. Produkterna säljs i större kvantiteter, vanligtvis per låda eller pall.

Ja, de delar av förslutningen som kommer i kontakt med livsmedlet ska uppfylla tillämpliga krav för livsmedelskontakt.
Förslutningen behöver dessutom vara anpassad efter innehållet och förpackningen.

Vilken dokumentation som krävs beror på förpackningens material och användningsområde. Det kan exempelvis vara en Declaration of Compliance (DoC) eller andra intyg som visar att förpackningen uppfyller gällande krav för livsmedelskontakt. Dokumentationen kan även innehålla information om vilka livsmedel och användningsförhållanden förpackningen är lämplig för.