If a candy box seems ready to be placed into service after it has been folded, does the food go directly up against the box? Before you put your next batch of candies into service, this is the first thing you want to know about. Whether the container itself, the treat, or if the candy already has some sort of wrapping will determine the answer.
Candy boxes provide great ways to store treats and arrange them neatly; however, it takes attention to detail to get the interior set-up correct for the type of candy and how it will be stored in that particular box.
The first step is to find out if the box manufacturer says it is intended for direct food contact. If the box is only labeled as a packaging material and has no lining, there could be a need to insert a safe liner between the cardboard of the box and the candy. Do not assume anything based upon the appearance (color) or finish of the box. Check with the vendor who supplied you with this packaging product to see what type of product it was designed to store.
When using wrapped items, placing these items in a container such as a candy box provides a simple solution for arranging. However, storing loose items like chocolate bars, fudge, caramels, etc., require careful consideration. Using individual paper candy cups is one possible solution to allow space between each treat. When storing loose items, you may wish to use a food-safe pad either under or over the candy items. This helps prevent friction damage to the items caused by typical handling of the products.
Some candies have oily or sticky components which can cause discoloration and staining on paperboard. Even though those stains do not necessarily affect the quality of the candy, they can detract from the appearance of the packaging. Installing a grease-resistant liner in the bottom of the candy box prevents oils from reaching and possibly damaging the outside of the packaging. Grease resistant liners may also aid in cleaning spills and leaks. Be sure to select a grease-resistant liner specifically for food use rather than its aesthetic value.
Rather than looking for one size fits all solutions for all types of candies, you must design your liner to fit and complement each specific candy. For example, hard candies may work fine in wrappers or bags which seal together within the candy box. For truffles, individual cups may be needed along with a soft foam pad at the top. When working with brittle candies, crumb issues may arise. In these cases, consider using a fitted tray or an inner wrap to contain potential spillage. Test a complete sample of your packaging system by filling it completely with the same items that customers would purchase prior to beginning production.
Once you fill a sample packaging system with candy items, carry it around your shop as if a customer had purchased it, drop it on the floor and turn it upside down several times. Afterward, inspect for any signs of oiliness on the outside surface of the box, lost crumbs, sticky candy pieces adhering to each other or the box, or paper dis-coloration. You can also test your packaging by leaving it filled and sitting for an amount of time comparable to how long an average customer would wait to consume their purchased goods.
Do not use tissues, printed papers, glue, or packing materials adjacent to bare candies without ensuring that all materials are suitable for food use and therefore safe for contact with edible products. Some ink and coatings applied to gift boxes may not be applicable to food-contact areas. Always maintain cleanliness, dryness, protection from strong odors and separation from foods with powerful aromas when storing your packing supplies. Odors can penetrate through packaged candies (even if visually clean).
Thoughtfully planned candy boxes accomplish much more than simply holding candies. Each candy gets a clean area to rest in; they help reduce messiness associated with packing; and they instill confidence in the purchaser that their purchase is safe and properly protected. Begin planning your candy boxes using one basic principle: “What comes into contact with the food?” Once you identify what comes into contact with the food, every cup, pad, liner and wrap then has a purposeful role (instead of merely decorative).