Tamper-Evident Packaging Improves Safety and Trust for Your Customers
Protecting your product against tampering is an important aspect of building trust with your customer and, in some industries, is legally required. For example, all over-the-counter drug products (with the exception of a few, including insulin and dermatological products) must be sold in tamper-evident packaging. Likewise, most food and beverage containers use some level of this packaging to prevent tainting. Other industries that may make use of it include tech companies or those shipping sensitive documents.
Tamper-Evident or Tamper Resistant?
According to the FDA, tamper-evident packaging provides “clear visual evidence” when a package has been opened or tampered with. In contrast, tamper-resistant packaging makes opening or tampering with the product more difficult but may not leave visual evidence. A third choice, tamper-proof, indicates that the item is highly protected, likely with a secure seal or lock.
Choosing the Right Kind of Tamper-Evident Packaging
It’s important to consider your consumer when selecting tamper-evident packaging. Not unlike child-resistant packaging, some tamper-evident packaging may be difficult to open or challenging for some buyers. No one wants to struggle with their package for hours, so be sure to find the right combination of security and ease of use.
Types of Tamper-Evident Packaging
As discussed, tamper-evident packaging is defined by leaving clear visual evidence that a package has been opened or tainted. For years, wax seals have been used to provide evidence that a letter had not been opened. Now, we have a wide range of tamper-evident packaging options, including shrink bands, pressure seals, tapes, and foils. Here are just a few of the options:
Shrink Bands: Like shrink sleeves, shrink bands are small plastic rings applied to the product’s lid. These are then heated to shrink down to the size of the lid, meaning they must be torn to open the product. If using shrink bands, it’s recommended that you perforate them as well, making them easier to remove for the customer and improving user experience.
Plastisol Lined Caps: Much like the lids found on a mason jar, these caps use a plastic ring and heat to form a seal between the lid and jar. When the lid is opened and the pressure inside is released, the button at the center of the lid pops up, showing that the jar has been opened.
Lidding Films and Induction Seals: Lidding films and induction seals are both thin layers of material – often aluminum or foam – that adheres to the opening of the bottle or jar beneath the cap. These must be torn off to open the package, making them tamper-evident.
Stickers and Safety Seals: A simple solution, stickers and safety seals that must be removed before opening the package can also be an effective solution for tamper-evident packaging. These are also easily branded, and can readily become part of the overall packaging presentation.
Radio Frequency ID tags, or RFID, can also be used to add extra security to the product. Thanks to a unique ID on each product, this technology also facilitates tracking which items have been opened or tampered with. These may be used for expensive wine or alcohol, valuable electronics, and more.
Not sure where to get started with your product's packaging? GCB Solutions can help. Contact our team today at (904) 263-2804 or schedule a free consultation to get started today.