End-of-Year Packaging Checklist: Testing, Compliance & Optimization

As the year winds down, food manufacturers have a valuable opportunity to evaluate their packaging systems for performance, safety, and efficiency. Whether you’re prepping for Q1 launches or reflecting on production learnings, a thorough year-end review can help identify gaps—and set the stage for improvements in 2026. Here’s Teinnovations’ recommended checklist for optimizing your packaging systems before the new year.

1. Re-Evaluate Seal Integrity and Performance

Seal failures are among the top causes of product loss and shelf-life issues. Before heading into the new year:

Conduct random sampling of sealed units from multiple lines
Perform peel strength and burst testing to verify bond consistency
Evaluate sealing temperatures, dwell time, and tooling wear

Our team can help you recalibrate equipment or update film recommendations based on your food product and process conditions.

2. Confirm FDA and Regulatory Compliance

If you’ve introduced new films, trays, or adhesives in the last year, now is the time to verify documentation. Make sure:

All materials are FDA-compliant for intended use (including temperature and food type)
Migration testing, if required, is up to date
Your packaging documentation is audit-ready

We support clients by reviewing supplier specs and confirming that materials meet regulatory expectations for ready-to-eat, hot-fill, or high-fat applications.

3. Review Shelf-Life and Barrier Performance

Products may behave differently across seasons and storage conditions. It’s a good time to review:

Oxygen and moisture barrier performance
Condensation or spoilage trends from summer or holiday shipping
Changes in food formulation that may affect packaging compatibility

Teinnovations offers testing services and material evaluations to ensure your packaging still aligns with your product’s shelf-life targets.

4. Check Machinery Efficiency and Tooling Wear

Packaging machinery can experience wear over time that affects both speed and seal quality. Year-end maintenance should include:

Inspection and replacement of sealing heads or trays
Review of film feed alignment and tension settings
Assessment of automation systems and operator training

5. Align Packaging Strategy with 2026 Goals

Use this time to align your packaging with upcoming initiatives, such as:

New product launches or line extensions
Retailer sustainability targets
Cost containment or throughput goals

Teinnovations works with clients to plan ahead, source scalable solutions, and make data-driven packaging decisions.

Want help running through your end-of-year packaging checklist?

Contact us today and let Teinnovations support your packaging strategy with expert analysis, testing, and recommendations tailored to your goals for 2026 and beyond.