Food packaging plays an essential role in the functioning of modern food systems

HUHTAMÄKI OYJ PRESS RELEASE 14.4.2021 AT 10:00

Food packaging plays an essential role in the functioning of modern food systems

Huhtamaki welcomes the development of an EU contingency plan to support Europe’s food system in times of crisis and calls for the essential role of food packaging to be fully incorporated into the plan. 

The EU food supply and food security contingency plan builds on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and is an important component of the European Green Deal and the EU’s Farm to Fork strategy.  The availability of food, access to food, stability and utilization of food are key components of food security. Food packaging plays a key role in delivering these. It is critical to the effective functioning of modern food systems, which rely on packaging to store and transport food, while keeping safe from spoilage and disease. 

The packaging industry was recognised by Member States as an essential industry and allowed to operate throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. It has facilitated the availability of safe, hygienic and secure food products across the EU and elsewhere. Indeed, the European Environment Agency¹, confirmed that single-use food packaging “played an important role in preventing the spread of COVID-19.”

Whilst aiming to answer to potential threats from weakened supply chains, the EU’s contingency plan also aims to make European food systems more sustainable. The right packaging for the right products results in fewer Green House Gas emissions by limiting food waste. Food packaging typically accounts for 5% of the GHG emissions of the food chain, and optimal packaging often results in a lower overall carbon footprint due to reduced food waste. Without sufficient packaging available at times of crisis there would likely be increased food waste, compounding availability issues.

As part of the Commission’s Better Regulation Agenda and processes, Huhtamaki also strongly recommends that all current and future policy proposals are subject to a specific food supply and security impact assessment, incorporating Life Cycle Thinking, to examine and quantify any potential impacts of proposals on the food packaging supply chain; especially impacts at time of crisis. Such stress testing would help ensure the long-term resilience of Europe’s food system.

“Packaging is integral to the product it contains. We have seen how having a European packaging supply chain capable of meeting the challenges of Covid-19 has been crucial in supporting EU citizens during the pandemic; facilitating the availability of safe, hygienic and secure food products across the EU and elsewhere. Huhtamaki’s manufacturing sites operated throughout the pandemic. Without sufficient and appropriate packaging available, there would be major issues with food distribution and food availability across the entire EU,” says Charles Héaulmé, CEO and President of Huhtamaki.

“Huhtamaki strongly recommends that all current and future policy proposals are subject to a specific food supply and security impact assessment, incorporating Life Cycle Thinking, to examine and quantify any potential impacts of proposals on the food packaging supply chain; especially impacts at time of crisis.  Such stress testing would help ensure the long-term resilience of Europe’s food system,” adds Charles Héaulmé.

For further information:
Katariina Hietaranta, Head of Media Relations, tel. +358 10 686 7863

For information from the European Commission go to: https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/european-commission-seeks-feedback-future-plan-ensure-food-supply-and-food-security-times-crisis-2021-mar-01_en

HUHTAMÄKI OYJ
Global Communications

About Huhtamaki:
Huhtamaki is a key global provider of sustainable packaging solutions for consumers around the world, enabling wellbeing and convenience. Our innovative products protect on-the-go and on-the-shelf food and beverages, ensuring hygiene and safety, and help prevent food waste. We embed sustainability in everything we do. We are committed to achieving carbon neutral production and designing all our products to be recyclable, compostable or reusable by 2030.

We are a participant in the UN Global Compact and as of 2020, we received an MSCI ESG Rating of A, on a scale of AAA ─ CCC. To play our part in managing climate change, we have committed to set science-based targets through the Science Based Targets initiative. Huhtamaki has been awarded the Silver medal by EcoVadis for performance in sustainability.

With 100 years of history and a strong Nordic heritage we operate in 36 countries and 81 sites around the world. Our values Care Dare Deliver guide our decisions and help our team of 18,200 employees make a difference where it matters. Our 2020 net sales totaled EUR 3.3 billion. Huhtamaki Group is headquartered in Espoo, Finland and our parent company, Huhtamäki Oyj, is listed on Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd. Find out more about how we are protecting food, people and the planet on www.huhtamaki.com.

¹COVID-19 and Europe’s environment: impacts of a global pandemic — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)