The importance of packaging in preventing and reducing cross-contamination

Food packaging does much more than simply hold a product. It is a critical solution, keeping food safe and fresh, improving food quality, reducing food waste and increasing accessibility.  It also informs, providing nutritional information and telling us how to safely store and prepare the food it contains.

Food packaging can improve food safety by alleviating bacterial contamination.

The risks to human health posed by cross contamination within the food chain are well-known and long-established. 

Over one hundred years ago, the campaigning actions of Dr Samuel Crumbine, one of the founding fathers of modern public health, led to the widespread introduction of the first single use disposable paper cup with the express purpose of reducing contagious diseases. 

Food and food service packaging remains as important today in limiting cross contamination to prevent foodborne illness as it always has.