What Is a Packaging Checklist?
A packaging checklist is used by quality control officers to check if the packaging of finished products meets quality requirements. This warehouse quality control plan is used by suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and packaging companies to reduce the risk of producing low-quality and unsafe output, which can affect their revenue and reputation.
Without this audit, the entire manufacturing supply chain is compromised. Suppliers could distribute products with missing or incomplete markings. As a result, manufacturers could end up using the wrong raw materials. Therefore, it is vital to ensure the quality of the packaging before the product is shipped to its destination.
Quality control in packaging falls into two categories:
- The size of the equipment is different for each order. Thus, the manufacturer should provide drawings and other specifications to the packaging company for construction.
- The size of the equipment is unique. In such cases, the manufacturing company will buy crates and cases and do the packing at their own facility.
In this article, the following points are explained:
1. Food packaging and labeling requirements
2. Packaging quality control checks
3. The benefits of a digital checklist
What Are the Food Packaging and Labeling Requirements?
The UK Food Standards Agency has a guideline on what must be included on food labels and packaging. Any information provided on the label and packaging must be accurate and not misleading. Here is the following information that must appear by law on labels and packaging:
Food Name
If the food has a legal name, it must be used on the label. Without a legal name, a customary name could be used. It could be something that consumers commonly understand or has been established for a long time. For example, everybody understands that BLT stands for bacon, lettuce, and tomato.
If there’s no customary name, a descriptive name should be used. The description should be complete enough for the consumer to understand what the product is.
How the food is processed should also be included. If the fish has been dried and salted, it should appear on the label as dried, salted fish.
Ingredients
All additional ingredients and additives should be included and listed under ingredients. All the ingredients should be listed by weight or amount used to manufacture the product.
The percentage of particular ingredients should also be declared. For example, if the product is apple pie, what percentage out of the whole composition is apple?
Allergen Information
The law requires that if allergens are included in the ingredients, manufacturers should declare them. It should be emphasized on the label so consumers can see it clearly and avoid the food. Check out our food allergy checklist which lists the 14 food allergens that should be indicated on the Allergen list.
Net Quantity
Packaged foods that are above 5 ml or 5g must indicate the net quantity in compliance with the Food Information Regulation.
Storage Conditions and Date Labeling
Food labels should also carry the “best before” or “use by” date so consumers are aware of how long the food can be kept. There should also be instructions on how to store the food. For example, does it need to be refrigerated after opening or stored at room temperature?
Manufacturer Name and Address
The law requires manufacturers to include their names and address on the label. If the food has been imported, it should indicate the name and address of the company that imported the product. If the product is marketed by another company, the name and address of the business marketing it should appear on the label as well.
Nutritional Declaration
The mandatory nutritional declaration must be presented according to the set format. It should have values given in units and kcal per 100g per ml. Furthermore, the declaration must meet the font size requirements set by law.
What Are Packaging Quality Control Checks?
Aside from the labeling requirements, packaging should also undergo a quality control inspection using the packaging checklist. Here are some of the things you need to look out for during the inspection:
Accurate Description
The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations stated that any misinformation on the packaging can result in prosecution. Be accurate and never exaggerate about:
- Quantity and size of the product
- Composition of the product
- Manufacturing method used
- Manufacturing date and place
- Purpose of the product
Safety Instructions
If the product is a potential risk hazard, manufacturers should provide clear instructions on how to properly handle and transport the product. Any product should provide some sort of safety guidelines, including electronic gadgets and children’s toys.
Weight
The Weights and Measures Regulations 2006 indicates that each package should contain the declared volume or weight of the packaged goods. As the law requires, use metric weights and measures with a few exceptions of some products like beer and milk. Check the guidelines of your specific industry so you’ll know for sure what is required by law.
Barcodes
Ensure that barcodes and other labeling information are clear and accurate. The UPC label on the box should match the purchase order information. Make sure the barcode is not too close to the edge and is not damaged or creased.
Shipping Marks
All consignee and handling marks, as well as the weight and size of the box, should match the purchase information. If the markings are unclear, the box might become unrecognizable and not be delivered to the exact destination.
What Are the Advantages of a Digital Packaging Checklist?
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic, it would appear the consumer experience has seen a distinct change from in-store purchases to on-line shopping. This irreversible transition calls for an increased demand in packaging and quality control. With Lumiform’s easy-to-use application, quality control managers can increase their rate of inspections by up to 40%.
Want to know more about what Lumiform can do for you?
- All data on-site is immediately saved to the cloud and automatically bundled into a digital report.
- Lumiform saves you time by doing the analysis of internal processes for you. That means you can review the collected data automatically generated into graphs and charts.
- Lumiform has an extensive template library – over 10,000 to choose from. Can’t find anything that fits your packaging needs exactly? No problem. Create your own with our checklist maker.
- Solve issues faster with easier internal communication. What happens when a colleague finds an issue with one of the packaging labels? Once they flag it in the system, you’ll automatically be notified.
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