European Regulation on Delivery Packaging in Catering

Regulations on materials in contact with food

In the restaurant sector, and especially for meal delivery, food packaging is crucial both for food safety and compliance with legal standards. In Europe, strict regulations govern the materials and methods used to package food to ensure they do not compromise either the quality of the dishes or the health of consumers.

Materials in contact with food: what the regulations say

According to Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004, materials intended to come into contact with food must be safe and must not transfer harmful substances to the food. This legislation applies to all materials, whether plastic, paper, glass, or metal, and requires that they do not alter the organoleptic properties (taste, smell, texture) of the food.

Within this framework, staples are to be avoided in contact with food. No text explicitly bans them, but they constitute a foreign object: if a staple detaches and ends up in a dish, it poses a risk of injury, accidental ingestion, and contamination. As such, their control falls under the HACCP obligations of Regulation (EC) No 852/2004 and the general food safety principle of Regulation (EC) No 178/2002.

Sealing packaging for delivery

Meal delivery is a common practice, and using appropriate packaging is essential. Restaurants must ensure that the methods used to seal packaging are safe and traceable: secure sealing systems, well-fitted lids, or adhesive seals.

Conversely, sealing a delivery bag with a staple is strongly discouraged: this method introduces a foreign object potentially in contact with food and offers no tamper-evidence. In case of a foreign object, the establishment’s liability may be engaged during a health inspection or complaint. Professionals therefore have every interest in favoring compliant and traceable methods.

Alternatives for sealing delivery packaging

To ensure the efficiency and safety of food delivery, several alternatives to staples can be considered:

• Linerless adhesive paper (or linerfree): compatible with kitchen ticket printers, this paper without glassine backing is resistant to moisture and heat. It seals the order like a tamper-evident strip while displaying the dish and your brand.
• Standard adhesive tape: easy to use but time-consuming if applied manually.
• Self-sealing bags or boxes: integrated flaps or tabs to seal without accessories.
• Reusable clips certified for food contact: convenient for flexible packaging, provided they are certified for food use.
• Food-grade elastic bands: simple and reusable, suitable for bags and certain boxes.

These alternatives ensure food protection during transport and facilitate kitchen logistics.

Conclusion

Compliance with European food packaging standards is essential to protect consumer safety and guarantee meal quality. Rather than staples, which are foreign objects without tamper-evidence, restaurants should adopt safe and traceable solutions to seal their delivery packaging.