Primary packaging: Packaging System Overview

Packaging constitutes a coordinated system that employs various materials for the preparation of goods, covering containment, protection, transportation, handling, distribution, delivery, and presentation. It consists of three primary categories: a) primary, b) secondary, and c) distribution (shipping) packages. Additionally, some authors identify other types like d) convenience packaging and e) wasteful packaging.

Primary packaging refers to materials in direct contact with the final product and the packaging surrounding it during consumer purchase. Essentially, it serves as the initial layer containing the product and is designed with consideration for both the product and any existing secondary layers of packaging.

This initial layer houses the finished product, such as a plastic pouch enclosing whole-grain cereal or the cardboard box containing the cereal pouch. Geared towards end-users, primary packaging has diverse applications influenced by product, transit, and storage variables. Its fundamental purpose is to protect and preserve the product from damage, external interference, contamination, spoilage, and chemical imbalances.

Moreover, primary packaging facilitates the storage of products over extended periods. Historically, it has been used to count items that were challenging to tally individually when unpacked, using the package as a unit of measurement (e.g., bottles, boxes, bags).

The selection of primary and/or secondary packaging materials depends on factors such as the required level of protection, compatibility with contents, filling method, and cost considerations.
Primary packaging: Packaging System Overview

Food packaging

Packaging has become an integral part of the processing, preservation, marketing and even the cooking of foods.

Initially, packages served simply to contain products and to protect them from outside contamination. However, there has been tremendous growth in the development and design of new packages to fit specific needs.

While there has been adaptation of many of the traditional packaging materials, e.g paper, glass, and metals (tin, steel, and aluminium), much of the growth has been due to development of plastic or flexible packaging materials.

Packaging materials may be composed of single component (usually one chemical substance polymeric, building block form) or they may be composed of multiple components, consisting of the variety of materials, usually laminated in layers, offering many advantages not provided by single components.
Food packaging 

Packaging: various definitions and meaning

Packaging plays a key role in protecting the product from contamination by external sources, and reducing damage during its transportation and handling in the supply chain from the producer and manufacturer to the consumer.

Packaging has been defined as a socio-scientific discipline which operated in society to ensure delivery of goods to the ultimate consumer of those goods in the best condition intended for their use.

Packaging is a medium between product manufacturers and consumers aiding the maintenance of original quality of the packaged products and providing information and characteristics of the packaged products to the consumers. Legal definitions of packaging are in the EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste in which packaging is defined as ‘all products made of any materials of any nature to be used for the containment, protection, handling, delivery and presentation of goods, from raw materials to processed goods.

Other definitions of packaging include a coordinated system of preparing goods for transport, distribution, storage, retailing and end-user a means of ensuring safe delivery to the ultimate consumer on sound at optimum cost and a techno commercial function aimed at optimizing the costs of delivery while maximizing sales.

For food products packaging has an important role to preserve food quality. It has to act as an barrier to moisture and gas, microbial infection and insect infestation, other chemical and biological contamination light.

In most cases packaging reduces the cost of goods, because its role as protector means reduced product damage. The use of proper packaging materials and methods to minimize food losses and to provide safe and wholesome food products has always been a primary focus of food packaging.
Packaging: various definitions and meaning