Every different type of snack has different needs when it comes to the protective packaging they’re given. For example, potato chips are crispy, and packaging must protect them from getting harmed. On the other hand, beef jerky chips are chewy, and they must retain moisture to keep the jerky from getting dried out. Fried pork rinds are greasy, and the packaging must be oil proof to protect against outside contamination. If packaging fails based on the texture of the snack, it could drive down the snack’s value and the customer experience. Therefore, identifying snack texture characteristics and needs is the first step in the packaging selection process.
Crispy snacks are one of the most air and moisture sensitive snacks. If they come in contact with air or moisture, they lose their crispness very rapidly. Hence, when selecting bags for these snacks, the primary consideration should be the barrier properties of the bags. You will need bags with a multi-layer composite structure, for example, PET/AL/CPP. The AL layer will block oxygen and moisture, while the CPP layer will ensure the bag is heat sealed properly. Being heat sealed ensures the bag will keep the snacks crisp.
The texture of chewy snacks depends on the amount of moisture they contain. If the packaging provides inadequate moisture retention, the snacks will dry out, and the texture will turn hard. Choose packaging materials that have good moisture-proof capabilities. Moisture-proof materials, such as Modified CPP and PE, should be considered. Single-layer paper bags should be avoided, as they have close to zero moisture retention. If the ingredients of the snack allow, including a sachet of desiccant within the packaging will absorb any excess moisture and keep the texture of the snack consistent.
Greasy snacks will always be associated with Oil. Oil freely flows from greasy snacks and will end up seeping through the packaging. This will interfere with the appearance and hygiene of the end product. Oil resistance needs to be the highest priority when packaging greasy snacks. Choose packaging made from materials that have oil resistant coatings. These oil coatings serve as barriers that stop oil from flowing. Watching the thickness of the packaging is also a good idea. A thicker bag will be more oil resistant and will not be damaged easily by seeping oil.
A bag of chips shouldn’t weigh you down, regardless of how fine or coarse the snack is. For convenience, packaging should be lightweight, tear-resistant, and easy to carry. For easy access, the bag should have features like easy tear notches. Family-sized bags should be bigger and in the form of resealable zippers to avoid permanent full bags. Finally, the bag should be proportional to the snacks so there isn’t a lot of empty space. If there is too much space, the snacks will stale faster.
It doesn’t matter what type of chip bag you select, they all have to conform to the safety standards of the respective country. For example, the packaging should pass the FDA, LFGB, or EU 10/2011 guidelines to ensure the material will not leach any harmful substances to the snack, regardless of the temperature or contact with oil. This is to cove consumers and avoid legal liabilities. You can find this information in the certification documents of the supplier.
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