Primary packaging is the material in direct contact with a food product, such as a polyethylene bag around frozen berries or a jar containing honey, and must meet food-contact compliance requirements while protecting the product throughout its shelf life.
In trade practice
Because primary packaging touches the food directly, suppliers must provide a declaration of compliance for every material used, referencing the applicable EU food-contact regulation. Where the primary pack is also the retail unit, it must carry all mandatory labelling required under EU food information rules. Buyers should verify that declarations are product-specific and current, as generic or outdated documents are a common audit finding. Changes to primary packaging material or supplier require updated documentation before the new material enters production.
In a specification
Purchase specifications define the primary packaging material, food-contact compliance reference, any barrier or performance requirements, and mandatory labelling elements where the pack is sold directly to consumers.