When shipping temperature-sensitive products, the right insulated packaging can make all the difference. In fact, a staggering 1 in 3 customers will leave a brand they love after just one bad experience, while 92% would completely abandon a company after two or three negative interactions (PWC). The right cold shipping boxes can make all the difference between a happy customer and a lost one. But with so many insulated packaging options, how do you choose the best one? It all starts with asking the right questions which is why we have created this helpful guide for the top 4 questions to ask:

1.What temperature does my product need to maintain during transit?

Products come with a wide range of temperature requirements. For example, at Smurfit Westrock we know from working with our customers that produce and perishable food need to be kept at a specific refrigerated temperature to avoid spoilage and maintain freshness, but other products, like frozen foods, must be kept, well, frozen! The exact temperature range of your product is a key factor in choosing the right insulated packaging.

Once you know this, you will then also need to know how long your packaging must maintain your product at this temperature. If you’re shipping locally a quick trip might only expose your goods to minor temperature changes. But if your product is in transit for a longer period, or travelling through varying climates, you’ll need insulated cardboard boxes that can maintain a consistent temperature from start to finish.

Discover how award-winning Borough Broth adopted an insulated packaging solution to distribute their products regionally and nationally, ensuring delivery temperatures remained between 5-8°C here.

2. Does my insulated packaging need to meet specific regulatory standards?

Depending on your industry, cold shipping boxes might need to meet certain regulatory standards. That is the case with perishable foods and pharmaceuticals, where thermal packaging boxes need to maintain a certain temperature to ensure the product remains safe for use. These regulations help protect consumers from receiving products that have been contaminated during transit.

If you fail to comply with industry regulations and guidelines, you could face legal issues, unhappy customers and irreversible damage to your brand’s reputation. You could also be at risk of endangering the health and safety of customers. That is why ISTA packaging testing has quickly become a key part of the packaging process. It tests for a wide range of transit hazards with the potential to cause damage to both the packaging and your product, ensuring goods arrive safely and at the correct temperature.

Discover how ISTA testing helped Mindful Chef’s packaging meet the strict standards of chilled food transportation here.

 

 

3. Which packaging is best to support my business’ sustainability goals?

Choosing planet-friendly insulated packaging is a key step toward meeting your business’s sustainability goals. By reducing reliance on materials like expanded polystyrene (EPS), you demonstrate a commitment to minimising your ecological footprint. Sustainable alternatives not only cut down on waste but also support the circular economy – a crucial aspect of many sustainability strategies. With regulations like the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) pushing for reduced packaging waste and improved recyclability, planet-friendly insulated packaging becomes an essential part of staying compliant.

Plus, with growing consumer demand for eco-friendly packaging from brands, and 49% of people willing to pay more for sustainable solutions (Deloitte), making the switch can directly enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty to your brand.

For instance, see how Sutherlands of Portsoy embraced a planet-friendly alternative to EPS for transporting their temperature-sensitive fish products here.

4. Do I need my packaging to be water-resistant?

Rain, moisture, condensation, leaks, and spills – are all contributors to product damage. Knowing if your products may be at risk of this will help identify if your insulated packaging requires a water-resistant coating. Planet-friendly water-resistant shipping boxes offer an extra layer of defence to keep your items at the right temperature and protected during storage and transit.

When selecting insulated packaging for cold shipping, asking the right questions is key to ensuring your products are protected every step of the way. The right packaging not only protects your goods but also showcases your commitment to quality, customer satisfaction and the planet.

Now you know what you need we’re on hand to help you find the perfect solution. Contact our local team of packaging experts today.

 

A Charity Ball has raised more than £30,000 for Children’s charity the Oakland Foundation and will now be used to support various educational and community initiatives for disadvantaged children and young people.

Mark Williams, trustee of the Oakland Foundation, expressed gratitude by saying: “We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who attended the Charity Ball and to our sponsors for their crucial support in making this event a great success.”

Mark also expressed his gratitude to everyone involved in the Oakland Foundation Charity Ball, highlighting their generosity, support, and friendship. He conveyed deep thanks and immense appreciation, noting that the funds raised will now help more children access schools and youth programs that were previously unaffordable.

The Charity Ball, hosted by founding sponsor Oakland International, saw donations and support from a range of businesses such as SPAR UK, Renault, R Recruitment Ltd, IMA Cooling Systems, Nationwide Produce PLC, Coolways, Avanti Packaging, Dom Whiting Media, and The Crown Plaza, Stratford Upon Avon amongst many.

The event featured presentations by Foundation-supported Steve Boycott from Be You Training and British Judo Paralympic silver medallist Dan Powell from the GNR8 Academy. Ipsley CE Middle School students from Redditch provided musical entertainment.

Every pound raised from the event will now go to support children and young people access a range of educational, sports, and health and nutritional resources. The Oakland Foundation supports children under 16 and their families with their goal to ensure all children can participate, regardless of social background or physical ability.

Oakland International and Foundation founder Dean Attwell commented: “It has been gratifying to see over the years the Foundation grow from strength to strength, delivering practical and meaningful support and outstanding outcomes for so many children and young people.

“I’d like to reiterate the Foundation’s gratitude and thank all the sponsors and businesses, both big and small, that contributed, sponsored, and attended the Ball. Its success is due to their support.”

The Oakland Foundation has donated more than £475,000 to initiatives supporting underprivileged children and seeks to enhance the lives of even more young people by raising awareness and collaborating with more businesses on a range of projects and focused efforts in the future.

One of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, Bidfood, has today revealed the food and drink trends it expects to hit the out of home market in 2025.

As well as value, quality and elevated experiences, this year’s trends are influenced by consumers’ desires to make healthier and sustainable choices, as well as emotional drivers such as comfort, tradition, reward and sharing. More than half of consumers identify themselves as a ‘foodie’ and this group are especially keen to try the latest food trends. From rich, indulgent chocolatey drinks, to visually impactful buns and bowls, flavourful, gut-heathy high fibre dishes, authentic global cuisines and lesser known British classics, this year’s trends are set to be the most exciting yet!

To support the industry in navigating these new trends, Bidfood has released its 2025 interactive guide with brand new for 2025, shoppable features, helping operators to not only respond to shifts in consumer demand and keep up to speed with the ever-changing market, but make informed product choices that they can apply straight to their menus.

Also included in the report are a range of useful tools including extensive web content, new additions to the trends safari video series, delicious new recipes and much more.

Bidfood’s 2025 trends:

Flavours less travelled: Trying new and unique cuisines are top of consumer’s priorities and a key factor influencing this year’s report, with 55% frequently looking to explore these new and exciting flavours when eating out[1]. The flavours less travelled trend encourages consumers to embrace their sense of adventure with authentic ingredients, flavours and formats, while experiencing and learning about the cultures they come from.  Research has shown that the global cuisines gaining momentum this year are:

• Southern States – Southern USA cuisine refers to the comfort food from the Deep-South including Louisiana, Mississippi and Florida and has seen a rise in popularity with consumers who consider themselves as ‘foodies’. Offering diversity, the cuisine can be adapted to suit lunch or dinner, as well as on the go. Hearty and comforting, this is trend full of potential with a real gap in the market ready to be filled.
• Turkish – Turkish cuisine is growing in popularity right now, appealing to a whopping 79% of consumers. Offering bold and aromatic flavours, warming spices and meze sharing dishes, the Turkish food has far more to offer than just kebabs that most associate it with.
• Greek – Characterised by its simplicity, Greek food is renowned for its use of fresh and seasonal ingredients. A great fit with both street food, on the go as well as sit down venues, Greek cuisine boasts familiar favourites such as quality grilled meats, fresh feta salads and creamy dips such as hummus and tzatziki, alongside many lesser-known dishes like courgette balls that offer opportunities for operators.
• Argentinian – With more cattle than people, Argentinian cuisine is characterised by its hearty flavours, rooted in locally-grown and sourced produce. Argentinian cuisine is certainly growing in popularity, with more than half of consumers wanting to try it[2]. Classics dishes include steak, chimichurri, empanadas and dulche de leche, along with a rich reputation for wine.
• Portuguese – Despite being an already familiar cuisine to 1 in 5 consumers[3], Portugal still has a wealth of authentic dishes waiting to be discovered. Although piri piri chicken and Portuguese tarts will always be popular, operators should look towards one-pot rice dishes (called arroz), rice pudding (known as arroz doce), and mixed seafood stew (known as cataplana de marisco), to really nail authenticity.
• Swiss: The ultimate comfort food, Swiss dishes featuring cheese, potatoes, cream and meats are at the very heart of this cuisine. Popular with consumers but often hard to come by, Swiss cuisine includes sharing options such as fondue, breakfast dishes like rosti and bircher museli and of course, cheese.

Closer to home: As consumers continue find provenance on menus appealing, many seem to be drawn to learn more about those cuisines that are on our doorstep, but which offer something different to the traditional English classic dishes that are familiar. Nearly half (43%) of consumers are interested in trying Scottish, Welsh and Irish cuisine[4], due to its traditional flavours, comforting nature and their desire to support British suppliers. Take consumers on a journey across the British Isles with a warm and hearty Irish stew, rich and flaky Scottish salmon and tender Welsh Lamb. However, a number of lesser known dishes such as stovies, oggies and coddle also draw appeal.

Buns and Bowls: In today’s fast-paced world, consumers are busier than ever. It’s therefore no surprise that on-the-go options have become a staple for individuals seeking convenience without sacrificing quality. Whilst over 40% of consumers already eat staples such as wraps and cakes when out of home[5], the demand to try the lesser eaten options like poke, Buddha, and acai bowls as well as chia pots is increasing in popularity. This is coupled with a desire for next level hot and cold premium sandwiches, packed with innovative quality fillings.

Friendly Fibre: Healthy eating is increasingly front of mind for consumers, in particular the awareness and understanding of gut health. Bidfood’s friendly fibre trend explores how this important nutrient helps keep our digestive system healthy, which foods are rich in fibre and how operators can include a variety of tasty dishes on their menus that debunk the myth of high fibre foods not tasting good.

Proactive Practices: Consumers are still highly conscious of the environmental impact within their own lifestyles. This is evident when they make choices in the out of home sector, with 7 in 10 saying that sustainability is an important factor when deciding which out of home venue to visit. Not only will consumers be more likely to visit, but they will also pay more if they can see that their food and drink comes from sustainable sources[6], making it important for operators to demonstrate the great work they do around ESG. Some of the areas that consumers are most interested to see operators engage with are:

• Food waste
• Carbon reduction
• Seasonality
• Certifications
• Regenerative farming
• Sustainable seafood

Chocolicious: The Chocolicious trend reflects the innovation that’s dominating the hot drinks (and dessert) category, with consumers looking for affordable luxuries when they eat out, particularly with premium chocolate. With over 80% of consumers seeing chocolate as an affordable treat[7], operators can leverage this trend by offering premium hot chocolates with innovative flavours and toppings that look the part.

Catherine Hinchcliff, Head of Corporate Marketing and Insight at Bidfood said:

“It’s great to see that this year’s trends are shaped by consumers eagerness to experiment and try something new, along with their desire for indulgence, premiumisation and comfort. This will allow chefs to showcase their creative skills, while providing operators the opportunity to increase margin.

“Encouraging sustainable practices remains incredibly important for us as a business, and so it is reassuring to see this reflected within the trends this year. Similarly, gut health is also emerging as a key area of interest to consumers in 2025, something we feel well equipped for with our expert nutrition team on hand to support with implementing this trend.

“We once again worked with CGA by NIQ to conduct our own bespoke survey and exclusive research, as well as visiting and interviewing out of home operators in London and Bristol to understand how these trends are being incorporated on the high streets.”

For more on Bidfood’s 2025 food and drink trends please visit https://www.bidfood.co.uk/food-and-drink-trends-2025/

[1] CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

[2] Source: CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

[3] CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

[4] CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

[5] CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

[6] CGA by NIQ Bidfood 2025 Trends Survey; Sample size: 2000

[7] Mintel, Chocolate Confectionary UK 2023