Thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, tamper evident and tamper-proof labels have become a necessity for consumable products. Particularly important in the food and beverage industry, customers demand a sense of assurance that their food will arrive to them in a fresh and sanitary manor. Tamper evident and tamper-proof labels offer customers tangible evidence that the contained products have not been compromised. Here, we will break down the differences between tamper evident and tamper-proof labels in an effort to make your label purchasing decisions easier.
Tamper Evident Labels
Tamper evident labels are typically small label strips placed on a product’s packaging, purposefully placed to “seal” the container. The purpose of a tamper evident label is to reveal if the container has been opened at any time after the packaging process. The tamper-evident label typically does not cover the entire package, but is just big enough to secure the lid and make any tampering noticeable. Tamper evident labels are commonly used for “take out” containers and boxes in the food and beverage industry, and are strong enough to seal of a container and durable enough to withstand handling until it is ready to be opened for consumption. Tamper evident labels are designed to tear easily when the consumer is ready to open the container. These labels have become critical for businesses who serve ready-made food, allowing them to continue to serve consumable products in a safe manner.
Tamper Proof Labels
Unlike the small strips that typically describe tamper evident labels; tamper proof labels are much larger and cover larger surfaces of the packaging. Tamper proof labels typically go over lids and caps of bottles, securing the contents inside. These labels’ seals cannot easily be ripped, but have to be cracked open with force or cut off, eliminating the risk that the contents may be tampered with before consumption. If the tamper proof label is compromised or removed, it is clear that the contents may be unsafe for consumption. Tamper proof labels offer a clearer indication that a product has been tampered with; compared to tamper evident labels. Tamper proof labels have become critical for the beverage packaging industry to continue to operate and deliver safe products in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tamper Evident vs Tamper Proof Labels
Even though both tamper evident and tamper proof labels provide evidence of tampering, they do so in very different ways. Businesses packaging beverages or pharmaceutical products commonly choose tamper proof labels to ensure the integrity of their products. These labels go over the lids of the product in entirety and are designed to be difficult to break – often requiring heat or force to break. Since the label cannot be partially removed, there is clear evidence the container has been opened.
Businesses in the food and beverage industry (specifically the restaurant and fast food industry) most often use tamper evident labels for their takeout containers, drinks, and pizza boxes. Tamper evident labels are popular for takeout containers because they are smaller, more cost-efficient labels that can be quickly placed on containers and easily removed by the customer with little hassle. A ripped label indicates that the product has been tampered with or compromised.
If you are in the market for Tamper Evident Labels, contact Alpine Packaging today.
