Food packaging is not only designed to make parcels look attractive. It protects the food inside from the outside environment and helps maintain its quality until it is consumed. To produce premium-grade packaging, manufacturers and food businesses need to procure the right raw materials.
Food-grade paper is a versatile packaging material used in bakeries, hotels, cafes, and other commercial places in the form of takeaway boxes, bags, cups, and cartons. Businesses don’t randomly select a paper quality for direct food contact, even if it appears clean or looks strong. Buyers should check multiple factors before placing an order.
This blog explains what food-grade paper is and how to choose the right material quality for your applications.
What is Food-Grade Paper?
Food-grade paper is a paper used for manufacturing packaging products to serve and pack food items. They are of various types, including cups, plates, and containers, each one used for specific food applications. Designed as per safety and quality requirements, these packages come in direct contact with food without degrading or being damaged by liquids.
The durability and coating of the outer and inner layers of the packaging are decided depending on the application. Where dry products can use untreated paper, gravy food items need grease-resistant treatments and coatings to handle moisture and oil.
The type and quality of paper used for producing food packages is decided as per required performance. Thus, buyers should consider which grade of paper is right for their application based on its features and specs.
Steps to Choose the Right Food-Grade Paper for Packaging
FSSAI Requirements and Food Safety Compliance
Check if the paper can perform as per its intended application and handle contact with the specific type of food. In India, food packaging is manufactured as per directed by the Food and Safety Standards Regulations, 2018. The regulations have been improvised from time to time since incorporation.
Ask the supplier:
- For the declaration to confirm the paper's ability to handle intended food contact use.
- Products’ specifications and technical documents.
- Test reports from a certified lab.
Raw Materials for Paper
As a buyer, you should ask whether virgin pulp is used for manufacturing the selected paper, recycled fibre, or any other combination of materials. The type of raw materials used for manufacturing the paper is essential to know before selecting it for producing food packaging products.
Khatema Fibres prefers virgin pulp paper, which is excellent for sustaining its durability even after direct contact with different food items. However, virgin pulp alone cannot assure the paper is safe for the intended packaging application. There are various factors that are checked before selection, which include coating type and its processing.
Right GSM and Thickness
GSM is Grams per Square Meter, which determines the weight of paper per unit area. The value helps buyers compare papers of different grades and estimate the cost of an order. However, to know how the paper will actually perform as the final product, you must know its fibre quality and tensile strength, along with tear resistance.
Here are some examples to help you understand:
- Bakery wrapping: Lightweight paper for dry products.
- Food bag: Paper with sufficient strength without tearing.
- Food cartons: Paperboards need medium strength and stiffness for shape retention.
- Takeaway packaging: Low to moderate weight with special coatings.
Grease, Moisture, and Liquid Resistance
To handle contact with different food items and store them for a long time, buyers should ensure that their paper is grease-, moisture-, and liquid-resistant. Some of the products don’t need the same level of resistance like dry biscuits, but oily snacks do require grease resistance.
Buyers should check:
- Paper can resist grease and oil.
- Performs well under high humidity levels.
- Handles heat or warm-temperature foods.
- Paper is laminated or coated properly to avoid liquid penetration.
Verify Paper Quality and Performance
Before making the final choice, you should verify the paper’s quality and ensure it will offer great performance for your application. Here’s the table with what you should check.
Quality Parameter | Why it Matters |
GSM and Thickness | For consistency in weight and package construction |
Tensile Strength | Helps the paper handle pulling force |
Tear Resistance | Reduces tearing and changes to the package during handling |
Stiffness | Helps packaging products to retain their shape |
Surface Finish | Supports printing and converting quality |
Grease or Moisture Resistance | Helps protect the package for oily foods |
Buy High-Quality Food-Grade Paper for Your Packaging Needs
Selecting the right food-grade paper is essential for manufacturing durable packaging products that can handle contact with both wet and dry food items. Material quality and packaging performance should be top grade, along with the right cost. Buyers should verify the certifications and compliance documents to know they are procuring the right paper grade for their application.
At Khatema Fibres, we manufacture premium-grade kraft paper, food container paper, wrapping paper, and more with custom specifications and processing. Buyers can discuss application requirements for their intended food product and packaging formats. We offer competitive prices and provide technical assistance to buyers for the paper selection process.
