Canning and Fish Packaging Technology

Unit 7 - Fish Packaging

7.5.Levels of Packaging
There are three levels of packaging. They are primary, secondary and tertiary packaging.

• Primary packaging is for a retail unit. The function of a primary package is to hold the product, e.g. bag, can, carton, bottle or tube.
• Secondary packaging is a shipping or outer container. It holds a group of primary packages, e.g. Corrugated fibre board box or shrink wrap. Outer container used has to provide information as to their destination and instructions for handling, storage and opening. In recent days there is an increasing need for outer containers to present the product in an eye catching manner and the traditional brown box is becoming less acceptable with the growth of superstores, hypermarkets and cash and carry outlets.
• Tertiary packaging holds a number of primary or secondary packages on a pallet for loading into and out of trucks. This may involve simply strapping secondary packages in place, or using shrink or stretch wrapping with plastic film to give added protection.Tertiary levels of packaging serve mainly to collate and protect secondary packages (containing the primary packages) in transit and storage. When all three levels of packaging are used, they should be complementary to one another.