Jam & Preserve Packaging Fact Sheet
What Weights Can I Sell?
The Weights & Measures (Miscellaneous Foods) Order 1998 means that pre-packed jams and preserves can only be sold in certain weights. (The legislation is in a mix of imperial and metric measurements, hence the figures given below.)
Jam (not diabetic versions), Marmalade (not diabetic verions), Jelly Preserves and Honey should be packed in: 2oz, 4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 1lb, 1½lb or multiples of 1lb One exception to this is if the pack size is less than 50g (approx 2oz), then the pack can be any weight.
The weight should be declared on the pack label. Text stating the weight needs to be minimum of 2mm high up to 50g, 3mm high 50g to up to 200g, 4mm for 200g – 1kg. If the quantity is less than 5g (e.g. single portion packs), the weight does not need to be declared on the label.
All other preserves: diabetic jams and marmalades, curds, bottled fruits / vegetables, chutneys, pickles, mustards, sauces, marinades etc can be sold in any pack size.
Packaging
Always make sure any packing that is in direct contact with a food / drink is ‘food-grade’. Check with the supplier and specify again when ordering. Non-food grade glass for perfumes etc may not be suitable for hot filling or may leach chemicals into a food; so should be avoided no matter how pretty! If you want to re-use packaging, such as jam jars, you are bound by food safety legislation to make sure that the packaging poses no risk to the food. Glass can be cleaned and sterilized, but this is not so easy to do with plastic lined lids. Is it worth saving the money to have a batch of produce (and your reputation) spoilt?
Jars / Bottles & Lids
Lids (also called ‘closures’) are usually supplied separately so you need to order both. Jar and bottle openings are made to standard sizes, so lids are made to fit these and usually come in gold or black and sometimes silver. Lids can be push or twist on. Tamper proof (push ‘button’ on top) versions are also available, but only work for hot filled and lidded products, where a vacuum forms on cooling. The larger the order quantity, the cheaper the packaging becomes. Joint buying with other producers using the same type of packaging therefore makes sense for smaller businesses.
Food Link currently has a supply of various sizes of jar tops, available to producers.
The Weights & Measures (Miscellaneous Foods) Order 1998 means that pre-packed jams and preserves can only be sold in certain weights. (The legislation is in a mix of imperial and metric measurements, hence the figures given below.)
Jam (not diabetic versions), Marmalade (not diabetic verions), Jelly Preserves and Honey should be packed in: 2oz, 4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 1lb, 1½lb or multiples of 1lb One exception to this is if the pack size is less than 50g (approx 2oz), then the pack can be any weight.
The weight should be declared on the pack label. Text stating the weight needs to be minimum of 2mm high up to 50g, 3mm high 50g to up to 200g, 4mm for 200g – 1kg. If the quantity is less than 5g (e.g. single portion packs), the weight does not need to be declared on the label.
All other preserves: diabetic jams and marmalades, curds, bottled fruits / vegetables, chutneys, pickles, mustards, sauces, marinades etc can be sold in any pack size.
Packaging
Always make sure any packing that is in direct contact with a food / drink is ‘food-grade’. Check with the supplier and specify again when ordering. Non-food grade glass for perfumes etc may not be suitable for hot filling or may leach chemicals into a food; so should be avoided no matter how pretty! If you want to re-use packaging, such as jam jars, you are bound by food safety legislation to make sure that the packaging poses no risk to the food. Glass can be cleaned and sterilized, but this is not so easy to do with plastic lined lids. Is it worth saving the money to have a batch of produce (and your reputation) spoilt?
Jars / Bottles & Lids
Lids (also called ‘closures’) are usually supplied separately so you need to order both. Jar and bottle openings are made to standard sizes, so lids are made to fit these and usually come in gold or black and sometimes silver. Lids can be push or twist on. Tamper proof (push ‘button’ on top) versions are also available, but only work for hot filled and lidded products, where a vacuum forms on cooling. The larger the order quantity, the cheaper the packaging becomes. Joint buying with other producers using the same type of packaging therefore makes sense for smaller businesses.
Food Link currently has a supply of various sizes of jar tops, available to producers.
