FOODBOARD™ prevents migration for Messmer Tea from OTG

10.11.2019 - FOODBOARD™, Barriers, Sustainability, Customer Stories

The Ostfriesische Teegesellschaft (OTG), one of Europe’s leading tea suppliers, attaches huge importance to an authentic taste experience, food safety and sustainability. With this in mind, OTG has converted its entire product range, which includes the Meßmer, Milford and OnnO Behrends brands, to FOODBOARD™, our barrier cartonboard. The new ‘Teas of the World Collection’ from the Meßmer brand family looks particularly eye-catching on store shelves. The packaging has been honoured at the ECMA Awards 2019 with a Gold Award!

OTG is a pioneer in product safety

Product safety is OTG’s top priority: back in 2016, it became the first tea company in Europe to opt for FOODBOARD™. This was the result of discussions over mineral oil migration, in which their raw and packaging materials and internal supply chain were all thoroughly scrutinized. Secondary packaging and cross-contamination were found to be sources of mineral oils. The sustainable solution: FOODBOARD™, our functional barrier cartonboard, which protects tea from unintended substances such as mineral oils and phthalates, while preserving its original taste and aroma.

FOODBOARD™: sustainable protection and visual appeal

Tests conducted at OTG and in independent external laboratories proved that our barrier cartonboard provides protection against migration, while also possessing a particularly good aroma impermeability, thus guaranteeing the consumer the full taste experience of the tea. These properties make it possible to dispense with the cellophane wrapping, with the added environmental plus that FOODBOARD™ is completely recyclable and biodegradable. FOODBOARD™ is a mono-material – a pure cartonboard solution not an extruded or laminated compound.
The new packaging made from FOODBOARD™ for the ‘Teas of the World Collection’ from the Meßmer brand range is particularly striking. The high-quality packaging with ‘surfboard’ edges stands out from other tea brands on the shelves. Every flavour is typical of a particular country or region, such as Brazilian pineapple and lime, Indian mango and dragonfruit or Italian amarettini black tea. Thanks to the special pillow shape, the packaging is comfortable in the customer’s hand, while the appealing design, featuring scenic landmarks and colourful fruits, is enticing and distinctive.

“OTG has long striven for the utmost product safety. FOODBOARD™ features barrier properties that protect against mineral oil migration and other unintended substances. Our choice of barrier cartonboard was based on its effectiveness, as well as sustainability considerations: by opting for FOODBOARD™, we have ruled out any switch to packaging made of plastic or composite materials. Our natural products are sustainably packaged in cartonboard. This sends out the right message and contributes towards a functioning circular economy,” Kevin Kunth, Team Leader for Cartonboard Purchasing at OTG.