Packaging - Agrinnovators Forum

📢 Upcoming webinar on EU packaging rules: what fresh produce operators need to know

Ahoefa Soklou — Tue, 07 Jul 2026 17:46:36 +0000

New EU packaging rules are coming, and they may have important implications for agrifood businesses exporting to, or operating in, the European market.

Freshfel Europe is organising a webinar on the upcoming application of the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR).

🗓️ Date: 9 July 2026
🕘 Time: 09:30–11:00 CEST
💻 Format: Online

The session will cover:

– key takeaways from the PPWR expert group meeting held on 1 July;
– how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems function in different EU Member States.

This may be particularly useful for companies, producer organisations and support actors working with fresh fruit and vegetable value chains, especially those dealing with export packaging, transport packaging, labels, cartons, plastics or other packaging materials for the EU market.

👉 Register here:

https://form.jotform.com/261762959295373

💬 Is your business or organisation already preparing for the new EU packaging requirements? What are your main questions or concerns regarding packaging compliance, costs, recycling, or EPR systems? Share them in the comments.

♻️ New AGRINFO update: EU rules on recycled plastic used in food packaging

Ahoefa Soklou — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 17:17:18 +0000

The European Commission is proposing updates to the EU rules on recycled plastic materials intended to come into contact with food, including food packaging.

This update is particularly relevant for agri-food businesses exporting to the EU, as the rules also apply to non-EU exporters using recycled plastic packaging for products sold on the European market.

Key points include:

• New compliance documentation requirements
• Stronger traceability for recycled plastic content
• Clarifications on imported recycled plastic products
• New electronic registration system for operators
• Transition periods for businesses already compliant with existing rules

The information is available in English, French and Portuguese.

👉 Read the full update here: EU rules on recycled plastic used in food packaging: updates and clarifications - AGRINFO Platform

This may be useful for businesses working on packaging, export readiness, sustainability, or compliance with EU market requirements.

EU Packaging Rules: Your Questions, Practical Answers

Ahoefa Soklou — Mon, 04 May 2026 14:50:41 +0000

Following the AGRINFO webinars held in February 2026 on the new EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, PPWR 2025/40, a new Q&A document is now available to clarify the questions raised by participants.

It covers practical points on:

✅ packaging scope and transport packaging
✅ key timelines and upcoming requirements
✅ PFAS and substances of concern
✅ recycled content and recyclability
✅ compostable packaging and labelling
✅ Declaration of Conformity and compliance responsibilities

This is a useful resource for exporters, packaging suppliers, producers, processors and technical partners preparing for the gradual implementation of the new EU packaging rules.

📄 Access the Q&A document here

All information ( recorging, presentations, etc.) are available in English, French and Spanish here

Share your questions, concerns or experiences through the AGRINFO Ask service.

How prepared are Caribbean exporters for the evolving traceability requirements in global markets?

Nina Desanlis-Perrin — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:59:20 +0000

Strengthening traceability is becoming essential for Caribbean food exports.

As international food safety regulations evolve, Caribbean agribusinesses must ensure that their traceability systems meet the requirements of key export markets, including the United States. The U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Traceability Rule introduces new expectations for record-keeping, product tracking, and supply chain transparency.

To support regional preparedness, CAHFSA, in collaboration with COLEAD.link, will host an FDA Traceability Awareness Session aimed at helping Caribbean producers, processors, exporters, and food safety professionals better understand the implications of these requirements.

The session will provide practical guidance on:
• Understanding the FDA traceability rule
• Key data elements and record-keeping requirements
• Strengthening internal traceability systems
• Preparing Caribbean agribusinesses for continued access to international markets

🗓 Date: March 24, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM (Eastern Caribbean Time)
🎤 Speaker: Marie-Hélène Kestemont, SPS Expert – COLEAD & Dr. Martin van Brakel, European policy and regulations Expert - COLEAD

This initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen food safety systems, enhance regulatory compliance, and support market access for Caribbean agri-food products.

As global supply chains demand greater transparency, traceability is no longer optional — it is a cornerstone of food safety, consumer confidence, and international trade.

🔗 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe3wFFMenpV1WbrYV6O-VA15Ypa78pBnuuEKxd5zDd94QTCZg/viewform?usp=send_form

Packaging.

Tola — Wed, 18 Mar 2026 21:25:27 +0000

There are three minimum levels of the Packaging phase; Food serviceware, Flexible and Rigid packaging. All these must meet EU standards and specifications. The question to ask is; How do you know the EU requirements at each phase? To ease the issues of compliance, standards and regulations, i suggest the EU come up with a comprehensive E-glossary of its rules, compliance and regulations for export to EU. For example, what food coatings are acceptable? Is Modified Atmospheric Packaging acceptable for packaging fresh meat/fish?

Thank you

Strengthening Food Safety Through GHP & HACCP

Nina Desanlis-Perrin — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 10:21:00 +0000

Strengthening Food Safety Through GHP & HACCP

Effective food safety systems are built on strong Good Hygiene Practices (GHP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles.
To support continuous improvement and compliance within the agri-food sector, COLEAD.link in collaboration with CAHFSA will host a GHP & HACCP Refresher Training.

This session will reinforce core food safety principles and provide practical guidance for strengthening documentation, verification, and compliance strategies for both regional and export markets.

📅 Date: March 17, 2026
⏰ Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM (Eastern Caribbean Time)
🎤 Speaker: David Sodade, Senior Project Manager, Training – COLEAD & Ernest Muzukutwa, Food Safety Consultant, Trainer & Auditor

Participants will benefit from:
• Updated insights on GHP implementation
• Reinforcement of the 7 HACCP principles
• Strengthening documentation and verification systems
• Practical compliance strategies for export markets

🔗 Go to the website to Register: https://lnkd.in/dnd_EzCy

OECD-COLEAD Session n° 12 : Navigating EU policies, regulations and standards impacting fruit and vegetable value chains

Ahoefa Soklou — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 13:07:16 +0000

The regulatory landscape governing access to the European Union (EU) market is evolving rapidly. New developments related to pesticide regulations, corporate sustainability due diligence and packaging standards are increasingly shaping how fruit and vegetable exporters engage with EU buyers.

To better understand these changes and their implications for fruit and vegetables value chains, join the Fruit and Vegetable Industry session 12 to be held this 📅 17 March 2026.

⏰ 10:00–11:30 UTC
💻 Online (Zoom)
🎧 Live interpretation in English and French

The session will explore recent EU regulatory developments and discuss how exporters and producers can navigate evolving compliance requirements while remaining competitive in international markets.

🔗 Register here: https://tinyurl.com/373vtte4

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New EU Packaging Rules (PPWR) – Are You Ready?

Ahoefa Soklou — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 18:37:47 +0000

The new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) 2025/40 will apply from 12 August 2026, introducing stricter EU requirements on packaging design, recyclability, waste prevention and labelling with progressive implementation until 2040.

For agri-food exporters using small retail-ready packaging (fresh produce, ready-to-cook, processed products), these changes will directly affect compliance, costs and market access.

🎯 Join one of the 90-minute webinars organized by COLEAD AGRINFO Department.

Understand the main new obligations
Anticipate implementation challenges
Identify practical strategies to stay competitive

Two time slots are available, choose the one that suits you best:

👉 Register here for the session on Wednesday, 25 February 2026 – 09:00 UTC (English+French)
👉 Register here for the session on Thursday, 26 February 2026 – 15:00 UTC (English+Spanish)

Don’t miss this opportunity, anticipate now.

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Webinar on Good Packaging and Processing Practices for Caribbean Value Chains

Nina Desanlis-Perrin — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 13:40:58 +0000

This information sharing session is designed to equip national value chain teams from the FAO Caribbean Value Chain Programme with essential knowledge and practical skills in good packaging practices, aimed at enhancing product quality, ensuring regulatory compliance, and improving market competitiveness. The presentation will draw on content from the recently published document Good packaging practices for micro, small and medium-sized food processing enterprises in the Caribbean Community and Common Market, and will relate relevant guidance to ongoing work in the pepper, dasheen, ginger, lettuce and sweet pepper value chains.

Check it out : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qld3RFKMh5M

The COLEAD MOOC on Packaging and Labelling is Live | Le MOOC du COLEAD sur le Packaging et l’Etiquetage est lancé !

Ahoefa Soklou — Thu, 09 Oct 2025 14:33:57 +0000

🎉 It’s underway!

The first COLEAD MOOC on Packaging and Labelling officially kicked off today with over 400 registered participants from across the agri-food sector!

Today’s agenda introduced participants to the basics of packaging, explored trends and innovations in agri-food packaging, and showcased case studies of businesses that adopted sustainable solutions and entrepreneurs who successfully expanded into export markets through effective packaging.

The discussion continues here on Agrinnovators, share your thoughts, key takeaways, or questions in the comments below.
Our experts will be happy to provide clarifications and insights.

Let’s go further, together !!!

🎉 C’est lancé !

Le premier MOOC du COLEAD sur le packaging et l’étiquetage a officiellement démarré aujourd’hui avec plus de 400 participants inscrits issus du secteur agroalimentaire !

L’agenda du jour a permis aux participants de découvrir les bases du packaging, d’explorer les tendances et innovations dans le packaging agroalimentaire, et d’analyser des études de cas d’entreprises ayant adopté des solutions durables et d’entrepreneurs ayant réussi à exporter grâce à un emballage efficace.

Les échanges se poursuivent ici sur Agrinnovators partagez vos impressions, vos points clés ou posez vos questions ci-dessous.
Nos experts se feront un plaisir d’y répondre.

Allons plus loin, ensemble !