reusable plastic packaging protects sensitive goods in transit

Reusable Plastic Packaging – Your Strongest Ally against Product Recalls

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Ensuring product safety is a complex process, starting the moment it leaves the production or assembly lines and ends when the customer picks it from the store shelf. Each link in this process is essential. However, reusable plastic packaging is among the key links holding together the entire product safety chain.

How products are packaged, stored and delivered is the key to their arrival in store in optimal condition, free from physical damage or alteration of their property. Practically, choosing the right plastic pallet or container can make the difference between a fully delivered order and the need to issue a product recall due to damage.

This aspect is even more crucial for sensitive products, such as food and cosmetics.

2024 – the Year of Unprecedented Product Recalls

This is not just a theoretical discussion on potential issues. The packaging experts at Logistic Packaging are aware that last year marked an unprecedented increase in product recalls.

According to claims management specialists Sedgwick, the sharpest increase in recalls were for:

  • 32.9% consumer products
  • 12.2% food products
  • 11.1% medical devices

For the first time since records are being kept, food and beverage recalls exceeded the number of 5,000 types of products in a single year.

The only positive item in the Sedgwick annual report comes from the automotive industry, where product recalls decreased by 8% compared to 2023.

In our opinion as packaging experts, one of the reasons for this decrease is the fact that the entire automotive industry has adopted standardized packaging policies across the entire supply chain, including the internal logistic loop.

The Role of Reusable Plastic Packaging in Preventing Product Recalls

Let us explain why using adequate returnable plastic containers and pallets can effectively reduce the product recall instances.

1. Strong and Reliable Build

Unreliable packaging, especially corrugated cardboard boxes, play a key role in product recalls. These packages offer no protection against mechanical shocks, toppling or crushing.

Thus, in case of an accident, there is double damage.

On one hand, a lot of products are damaged and cannot be sold. On the other hand, these damaged products, especially liquids, can contaminate other products in the trailer, making them unfit for sale, as well.

This issue is extremely serious for foods and beverages, pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Any contamination is unacceptable and will trigger a product recall.

2. Special Design to Extend Shelf Life

Many food products are highly perishable, especially fresh fish, dairy, fruit, bread and bakery products. Even if they reach the store aisle without accident or visible damage, inadequate packaging can speed up their expiration date.

For instance, even slight variations in temperature during storage and transportation can make fish unfit for human consumption. Or closed cardboard boxes, without ventilation, can lead to mold growth on bakery products.

Reusable plastic packaging materials have specific designs depending on the products they are created for. For instance:

3. Returnable Plastic Packages Facilitate Product Tracing

Product traceability is an essential aspect of determining which items need to be recalled. In some cases, specific batches are problematic and must not reach the store shelves. Using plastic crates and pallets to pack and ship products allows producers and distributors to add valuable information on the packaging using damage-proof labels and label holders.

These simple but essential accessories can be easily attached to the container. Alternatively, tracing information can be printed or hot stamped directly on the container wall. These information can include:

  • Serial number, barcode or QR code
  • Temperature tolerances
  • Handling instructions
  • Place of origin of the goods.

4. Protect Your Brand Reputation

Product recalls always reflect negatively on everyone involved in the supply chain, not only the producer. The use of reliable, hygienic and sturdy packaging solutions can minimize this negative view.

Both customers and regulatory bodies approve the use of professional packaging solutions and help brands maintain a positive image even during a challenging situation.

Logistic Packaging can help you prevent and reduce the scope of product recall through the use of adequate reusable plastic packaging materials. Send us an email describing your packaging requirements and start discussing with our specialists!