Choosing the Right Film for Moisture-Sensitive Foods

Moisture can make or break a food product’s quality. For moisture-sensitive foods, the wrong packaging film can lead to soggy textures, microbial growth, or dry-out—ultimately reducing shelf life and customer satisfaction. At Teinnovations, we engineer packaging solutions with moisture protection that’s tailored to your specific product and distribution environment.

Why Moisture Management Matters

Different food types respond to moisture in different ways. For example:

Crunchy snacks need protection from external humidity
Moist baked goods need to retain internal moisture
Fresh produce may require films that allow some vapor exchange

The key is understanding the product’s natural moisture activity and how it behaves in transit and storage. That’s where MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) comes in.

What Is MVTR?

MVTR measures the rate at which moisture passes through a packaging film. It’s typically expressed in grams/m²/day. The right MVTR depends on:

How much moisture the food needs to retain or exclude
Storage conditions (ambient, refrigerated, frozen)
Target shelf life
Desired texture and sensory qualities

We help brands evaluate these variables and recommend film constructions that manage moisture effectively—without over-engineering or underperforming.

Matching Film to Product Needs

Some applications require very high moisture barriers, while others benefit from semi-permeable films. For example:

Cookies, crackers, and granola bars: Low MVTR multilayer films
Fresh-cut fruits and vegetables: High-breathable films
Moist bakery items: Moderate MVTR films to prevent sweating

It’s Not Just the Film—It’s the System

Moisture protection also depends on the full packaging system, including:

Seal integrity and leak resistance
Container design and venting (if needed)
Storage temperature consistency

We work with clients to evaluate not only the film but also how it interacts with the sealing process, product formulation, and end-user environment.

Validated by Testing

Our packaging recommendations are backed by performance testing, including MVTR analysis and shelf-life simulations. This ensures that your moisture-sensitive products remain fresh, flavorful, and visually appealing for the full length of their intended lifecycle.

Have a product that needs moisture control?

Contact us today to discuss how our team can help you select or design a film that balances barrier performance with product behavior for optimal results.