Introduction
In the food industry, the development of the packaging sector never stops. Nowadays, consumers' attention to food safety, packaging security, and recycling transparency is at an all - time high, which has become an important driving force for the development of food packaging in 2025. The application of smart packaging technology enables more efficient transmission of food safety information, providing strong support for consumers and retailers. The implementation of packaging management certification protects consumers' rights and brand reputation, and also contributes to environmental protection. The widespread use of recyclable packaging, combined with AI - assisted sorting, makes recycling more convenient. These development trends are not only changes in the industry but also a positive response to consumers' needs. Next, let's take an in - depth look at the new trends in the food packaging field in 2025.
In the food industry, the packaging sector has always maintained a vigorous development trend. Looking ahead to 2025, the development trends of food packaging are mainly driven by consumers' strong demands for food safety, packaging security, and recycling transparency. The application of smart packaging technology will enable more efficient transmission of food safety information to consumers. The implementation of packaging management certification can effectively protect buyers' rights and brand reputation. The widespread application of recyclable packaging helps consumers better implement recycling plans. The specific contents are as follows:
I. Smart Packaging: Accurately Transmitting Food Safety Information
Packaging plays a crucial role in transmitting food safety information to consumers and retailers. In the past 40 years, consumers have always been confused about the date label system. Although there have been changes, this confusion has not been effectively improved. Moreover, although organizations like ReFED are committed to reducing food waste, the phenomenon of food waste caused by "when in doubt, throw it out" is still common.
Currently, food prices are rising continuously. Some regions have introduced laws against food waste (such as Vermont). The number of pathogens is on the rise. At the same time, the weak supervision of the FDA and the increasing risks of improper food processing have made it urgent to introduce smart packaging technology. This technology allows consumers and retailers to detect the microbial growth of key pathogens. It comes in various forms, which can verify the safety of packaged food, help retailers rotate inventory reasonably, and guide consumers to safely consume food before and after opening. This technology has been around for over 10 years, and now the conditions for its implementation are ripe. In 2025, major brands will take active actions to use smart packaging to demonstrate the food safety guarantee of their products to consumers and retailers.
II. Certification Mechanism: Protecting Consumers, Brands, and the Environment
In 2024, the Plasticlist Report tested 100 common foods. The results showed that 24 samples out of 296 foods exceeded the acceptable thresholds set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Worryingly, phthalates were detected in as high as 73% of the foods, and 22 products contained bisphenol A (BPA, CAS 80 - 05 - 7), far exceeding the standards set by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) (up to 32571%). This difference is mainly due to the lag of regulations and the differences in regulations in different regions.
A new study funded by the EPA's P2/Pollution Prevention Grant Program shows that when food waste is composted, microplastics and PFAS in food ingredients and consumer - facing packaging will enter the ecosystem. Certification is closely related to the use of recycled paper and plastics. However, currently, the packaging industry has not established a perfect regulatory chain for recycled paper and plastics. As a result, we cannot accurately know the previous uses of paper fibers and plastic chains in recycled paper and polymers, leading to planned and unintentional substitutions and mixtures. In the absence of clear and reasonable guidance, packaging manufacturers and brands will rely on certification to ensure the safety of food packaging for consumers and the environment.
III. Recyclable Packaging and AI - Assisted Sorting: Facilitating Recycling
Consumers will clearly see that food packaging is more inclined to be recyclable, which makes it more convenient and easier for them to classify recyclables, and then enables AI - assisted sorting. For example, through intuitive design, the font size of the separation marks on containers that need to be separated before being put into the recycling bin is increased.
Although flexible packaging accounts for 21% of the US packaging market and 6% of the food packaging market, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs in Oregon, Colorado, and at least five other states waiting to implement relevant policies do not cover flexible packaging. This may be mainly because flexible packaging is usually regarded as a form of packaging reduction or minimization. However, demand assessment studies show that it is necessary for the United States to include flexible packaging in relevant programs, just like more than 40 countries that have already implemented EPR. Accordingly, more effective separation measures will create favorable conditions for AI - assisted sorting.
It is necessary to appropriately modify the legislation to ensure food safety, clearly stating that recycled components are more suitable for other fields such as carpets, construction, and textiles, rather than food packaging.
Post time: Mar-25-2025
