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Sourcing Challenges In F&B Packaging: What Brands Need To Know

In food and beverage, packaging is not just a box or bottle. It is a safety layer, a branding canvas, and a logistics engine.

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*Support for bottles, pouches, cans, cartons, cups, and labels.

People eating takeaway food from packaging boxes

Why F&B Packaging Is More Complex Than Other Packaging

Food and beverage packaging has to do more than look good. It needs to protect product safety, preserve shelf life, survive filling and transport, and meet regulations in each market.

  • Packaging directly or indirectly touches food and drinks
  • Barrier properties affect taste, freshness, and shelf life
  • Filling methods like hot fill, retort, or chilled handling have different requirements
  • Labelling must follow strict local regulations
  • Printing and format choices can drive high MOQs and cost
Food ContactSafety and material compliance
Shelf LifeBarrier and preservation
LabellingRegulatory requirements
MOQ and CostVolume and budget planning

Challenge 1: Food Safety, Materials, And Compliance

Your packaging is part of what customers consume. Migration, coatings, inks, and adhesives all affect safety and compliance.

Primary Contact Layer

  • • Material approvals
  • • Migration testing
  • • Temperature resistance

Coatings and Inks

  • • Food-safe formulations
  • • No restricted substances
  • • Print adhesion

Documentation

  • • COAs and test reports
  • • Food contact declarations
  • • Traceability

Challenge 2: Shelf Life, Barrier Performance, And Product Fit

Packaging has a direct impact on how long your product tastes good and stays safe. The same product can behave very differently in a glass bottle, plastic pouch, or carton.

Product TypePackaging NeedsRisk If Mismatched
Crisps/SnacksHigh moisture barrierStale, soft texture
SaucesHeat resistance, airtight sealSeparation, spoilage
Cold BrewLight + oxygen protectionOxidation, flavour loss

Your F&B packaging sourcing choices determine whether your shelf life promise is real or only theoretical.

Challenge 3: Format, User Experience, And Operational Fit

Packaging must work for customers, retailers, and your operations. You cannot decide in isolation based only on visuals.

Customer

  • • Easy to open and reseal?
  • • Pours, squeezes, or scoops well?
  • • Clear usage instructions?

Operations

  • • Compatible with filling line?
  • • Works with capping and sealing?
  • • Efficient labelling?

Retail and E-com

  • • Stands, stacks, or hangs correctly?
  • • Fits standard shelf spaces?
  • • Ships safely in cartons?

Challenge 4: MOQs, Custom Printing, And Component Complexity

F&B packaging often has multiple components: bottle or pouch, closure, label or direct print, and secondary packaging. Each can have its own MOQ.

Component Stack for One SKU

1
Cap/Closure
500-2,000 units
2
Bottle/Jar
1,000-5,000 units
3
Label/Print
2,000-10,000 units
4
Carton/Tray
1,000-3,000 units

Typical Scenarios

  • Bottle or jar suppliers requiring several thousand units per shape or colour
  • Cap or closure suppliers with separate MOQs for each size or finish
  • Printed labels or cartons with minimums tied to print method
  • Sleeves, stickers, and tamper bands each adding their own volume layers

Challenge 5: Sustainability Versus Practicality And Cost

Many F&B brands want more sustainable packaging, but there are trade-offs. Switching materials affects shelf life, cost, line speed, and recyclability claims.

Operational and Cost Impact

  • Shorter shelf life if barrier drops
  • Higher unit costs
  • Line speed changes
  • New supplier qualification

Sustainability Gains

  • Better recyclability
  • Lower plastic use
  • Renewable materials
  • Consumer appeal

How Sourcy Supports F&B Brands With Packaging Sourcing

Sourcy works with F&B brands and aggregators that want packaging partners who understand both compliance and commercial constraints.

BriefUnderstand your product and requirements
Supplier MatchFind experienced packaging partners
Samples and TrialsTest before committing
QC and ApprovalsValidate quality and compliance
ShippingDeliver to your filler or plant

We help you choose formats and suppliers that protect safety, shelf life, and margin.

F&B Packaging Sourcing: FAQ

Need Help Sourcing F&B Packaging For Your Next Launch?

If you are launching or scaling a food or beverage brand and want packaging that protects safety, supports shelf life, and still works for your budget, Sourcy can help.

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    Sourcing Challenges In F&B Packaging | How Sourcy Helps Brands | Sourcy