Recall. That word in itself makes everyone from employees to CEOs shudder when dealing with product packaging.

Understandably so, because packaging recalls can wreak havoc on your company’s reputation and bottom line. It seems like you’re hearing about recalls every month, and they can strike any company at any time.

Mistakes happen to everyone now and then, but some mistakes can become very costly if you’re not careful when packaging your product.

When you are running a food based business that requires some form of barrier packaging, there are several steps you can take to avoid costly recalls. We’re here to point you in the direction of reducing (or avoiding all together) your chance of protective packaging recalls, and most of all, protecting your public image and your brand.

1. Product Packaging Tip #1: Research Your Packaging Firm From The Inside Out

And then do it all over again. Too many companies get caught up on cost and instantly accept the first bottom dollar quote that comes along. While cheap packaging doesn’t instantly equal a recall, it’s a red flag to look out for while you are shopping around for the perfect retail packaging.

First, take a close look at the packaging supplier’s reputation. Have you ever heard of this company before? If not, they should establish some credibility with you ASAP. Ask for references, and surf around online to see what you find. If things don’t add up in the reputation department, you are better off skipping to the next option.

Next, inquire about their quality certifications. These days, it’s not just enough to present a paper certification document and call it today. To be entirely sure of what you are getting into, you will need to ask for reference numbers so you can trace it back to the packaging company in question. We’re not saying to distrust every new supplier that you meet — just be cautious.

Research is a good starting point to building good relationships. It can also save you from a lot of trouble from recalls that could have been avoided down the road.

2. Packaging Your Product Tip #2 — Build a Solid Relationship with Your Packaging Supplier

Again, good relationships won’t necessarily keep you out of a packaging recall. But when you know what’s going on inside your packaging company, it gives you peace of mind that any unforeseen issues will be taken care of quickly and professionally.

To take your relationship building to the next level, schedule a visit to your supplier’s factory if at all possible. Tour the plant and inspect for cleanliness and any red flags that come along the way. Be sure to keep in regular communication with the staff and ask for updates when needed. You want your supplier to be invested not only in you, but the value and safety of your customers.

Kellogg's had a big retail packaging recall back in 2010 that compromised customer safety. A mysterious wax-like substance made its way into the inside of some retail packaging of four kinds of cereals. It was said that the substance potentially caused vomiting along with other side effects. More than 1.5 million cases of Corn Pops, Froot Loops, Apple Jacks,and Honey Smacks were recalled. This situation set Kellogg's back and understandably induced alarm in their customers.

So, what was the end result to this situation? Kellogg ended up filing a suit against their packaging supplier for not offering products that lived up to their quality standards.

We know what their relationship is like now, but what was it like before the incident ever happened? Did Kellogg's regularly check in with this supplier? Was there regular communication?

We’re not saying that you need to micromanage every move that your packaging supplier makes. It’s unrealistic, and we know that you don’t have time for that. But regular check-ins and occasional visits could save both your relationship with your supplier and your reputation.

If you have a packaging supplier that treats you like a teammate instead of a paycheck, chances are that the supplier is focused on bringing you the best quality protective packaging possible.

3. Packaging Your Product Tip #3 — Order a Sample 

This is perhaps one of the simplest yet most overlooked strategies to avoid packaging recalls: the sample. Ordering a sample makes sense for multiple reasons. You will get a true vision of the packaging’s quality, features and functions. You’ll get to see all of the working parts in action and get an idea if it’s the right fit for your product.

Not to mention, the sample will allow you to check for other issues or hazards relating to your retail packaging. To determine what could be considered hazardous, you might have to consider your audience on a deeper level.

For example, there was a recall in February 2015 for a product called The PouchPop topper. It was a tube that screws into a flexible food pouch for infants to feed from. It was later found that the pouch topper presented choking hazards. Luckily, no injuries were reported. But seeing as that this product was designed for infants, perhaps a sample order would have set off an early red flag for this company.

Sometimes, nothing compares to holding tangible product packaging in your hands. This can also help you spot hazards that you might not have noticed otherwise. You can spot quality issues and make sound decisions to move forward with the packaging in question.

We realize there is no surefire way to eliminate all possibilities of recalls for any company— where you are Kellogg's or a much smaller brand name. But you always have the option to do your research, investigate your future protective packaging, and stay a step ahead of recalls that drain your company bank account.

Further Reading: 

• Lessons from Kraft Heinz’s Product Packaging Recall
• How to Market a Product Refresh with Retail Packaging