Packaging of edible oil

Edible oils and hydrogenated fats (vanaspati) are extensively used in human diet as they impart textural qualities, taste and palatability to food apart from contributing calories, fat soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids for human nutrition. Edible oil is derived from seeds of plants. Fats and oils are often added to food products as ingredient during processing.

It is extremely important that, whatever the packaging material used, it should be food grade and non-toxic. The product package compatibility is the starting point and shelf-life follows compatibility. Packaged oil and fats offer various advantages such as:
•Ease in quick disposal at retail points
•Ease of identification
•Tamper evident and therefore chances of mixing or adulteration minimised
•Quality is guaranteed
•No need for consumer to carry own container
•Convenience in storage and use by the consumer
•No wastage due to spillage at retail shops/containers
•Brand identification can be established

Distribution of oils/fats in unit consumer packs is increasingly becoming popular as it assures quality product packed under hygienic conditions in unadulterated forms.

In view of their logistic advantages such as light weight, low cost and convenient shapes and tailor made functionality, plastics in rigid, semi-rigid and flexible forms are replacing conventional bulk packages.

Edible oil in Europe is usually packed in a transparent or colored glass packaging or plastic packaging, and less often in lacquered metal packaging.

Edible oil also being packed in 1 kg stretch blow molded PET bottles. PET bottles have excellent clarity, are odor–free and have good gas barrier properties. PET bottles are also accepted internationally for edible oil packaging.
Packaging of edible oil