Ravenwood Packaging has expanded into the fresh produce and bakery sector, replacing traditional labels that carry backing paper with linerless ones. The company launched its Slideable label at the beginning of the year and has recently partnered with Bakkavor salads, Gomez tomatoes, Monaghan mushrooms, Mercadona cakes in Spain and Wild Oats/Fresh & Easy bakery in the US.

Due to Brazil’s ban on the landfill of siliconized backing paper, the country has picked up linerless labels and packaging machines. Manufacturers in Europe and the US have also made the shift.

“Linerless labels are attracting interest with manufacturers who are using conventional carton board sleeves,” says Paul Beamish of Ravenwood Packaging. “For example, (they are used) with ready meals and further processed fresh food, where they are required to present the product well and have a lot of information to give on nutrition ingredients and cooking suggestions.

“The Food Information Regulation (FIR) in Europe, EU Regulation 1169/2011, is legally putting larger type faces and more information on labels,” adds Beamish. “An example of companies implementing these changes are Tesco ready meals packed by Kerry Foods in the UK. Others include Joseph Robertson, Hilton Meats, and St. Merryn Meats, to name a few.”

Jenny Eagle from www.foodproductiondaily.com provided information for this article.