Food manufacturers that are adding printed labels to sustainable packaging have been advised to bear in mind wider green issues.
Rob Holdway, Giraffe Innovation Limited's director, told Packaging Europe that containers can play a "crucial role" in presenting and protecting the food people eat.
However, he said options that have been designed with sustainability in mind must be "seen in the context of broader and more significant environmental issues".
For example, Mr Holdway stated that "innovative" packaging can help to cut food waste and enable consumers to save lots of money.
Furthermore, he noted that any claims regarding a product's green credentials must be backed up by "sound science and analysis".
Mr Holdway added that sustainable packaging is pointless if it fails to fulfil its primary function and sell well.
According to estimates from the Waste & Resources Action Programme, households in Britain waste about £50 each month throwing away food that is suitable for consumption.
Denny Bros Ltd, 16 February 2012
