---
title: Basic Functions and Definitions of Food Packaging
description: The uses of packaging, including containment, protection, preservation, provision of information, brand communication and more.
---

[Thought for Food Blog | IFIS ](https://www.ifis.org/blog)

# [Basic Functions and Definitions of Food Packaging](https://www.ifis.org/blog/functions-and-definitions-of-food-packaging)

 Written by [Dave Howard](https://www.ifis.org/blog/author/dave-howard) | 14-Aug-2012 08:55:00

There are numerous ways of defining packaging, each one emphasising a different aspect. For example, packaging can be seen as:

- a reliable way of guaranteeing safe, cost-effective delivery to the final consumer in optimum condition.
- an efficient, coordinated system of preparing commodities and produce for transport, dissemination, storage, retailing and the ultimate use for which it is intended.
- a techno-commercial function aimed at optimising the costs of delivery while maximising sales (and hence profits).

However, the necessary, fundamental roles of packaging are easier to identify:

- **Containment**: governed and determined by the product’s physical form and nature. For example, a hygroscopic (a substance that attracts and holds water molecules from the surrounding environment) free-flowing substance like washing-powder must be contained in different way to that of an acidic and sticky and citric concentrate, i.e. lemon cordial.
- **Protection**: prevention of damage due to the potential risks of distribution.
- **Preservation**: reduction or elimination of chemical, biochemical and microbiological changes and spoilage.**  
  **
- **Information** about the product – legal requirements, ingredients, use etc.
- **Convenience**: for the package handlers and user(s) throughout the packaging chain.
- **Presentation**: material shape, size, colour, type, merchandising display units etc.
- **Brand communication**: the pack persona created by the use of specific typography (the elegant typeface employed by [Cadbury](http://www.cadbury.co.uk/)), symbols (the Golden Arches of [McDonald's](http://www.mcdonalds.com/us/en/home.html)), illustrations (the twin-tailed mermaid, or siren at the centre of the [Starbucks](http://www.starbucks.com/) logo), advertising and colour, thereby creating visual impact and, when it works, instant recognition.
- **Promotion ****(Selling)**: free extra product, new product, money off etc.
- **Economy**: cost-efficiency in distribution, production and storage.
- **Environmental responsibility**: in manufacture, production, use, reuse, or recycling and final disposal.

> Related:
> 
> [Is Food Labelling the Best Communication Tool for Protecting Consumers?](https://www.ifis.org/blog/food-labelling-communication)
> 
> [The Sustainable Food Packaging Revolution](https://www.ifis.org/blog/2014/food-science-and-technology/the-sustainable-food-packaging-revolution)
> 
> [Is Food Packaging a Benefit to Society?](https://www.ifis.org/blog/2012/food-science-and-technology/is-food-packaging-a-benefit-to-society)

Image by Brad Carpenter at [Pixabay](http://www.pixabay.com)

[View full post](https://www.ifis.org/blog/functions-and-definitions-of-food-packaging)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Dave Howard"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2022-02-15T13:04:39.411Z",
  "datePublished" : "2012-08-14T08:55:00Z",
  "headline" : "Basic Functions and Definitions of Food Packaging",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 593,
    "url" : "https://f.hubspotusercontent30.net/hubfs/97439/store-2209526_1920-1.jpg",
    "width" : 791
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://www.ifis.org/blog/functions-and-definitions-of-food-packaging",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Thought for Food Blog"
  }
}
```