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Food packaging label materials that support runnability, compliance and sustainability

Food packaging labels must withstand demanding and changing end-use conditions – from freezer storage to greasy surfaces. They need to run efficiently on high-speed lines and maintain adhesion across changing packaging surfaces, and comply with food safety requirements.

Our UPM Raflatac™ label materials are engineered to deliver reliable converting, consistent adhesion and verified compliance for food safety and sustainability requirements – helping you reduce operational and compliance risk, protect margins and meet evolving food safety, traceability and sustainability requirements.

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Food labels engineered for every condition the packaging faces

Efficient converting for high-volume food labeling

Food label needs range from long, high-volume runs to frequent SKU changes like seasonal launches and regulatory updates. Our UPM Raflatac materials are designed for stable converting, clean die-cutting and reliable dispensing, helping you reduce downtime and protect production margins.

Reliable adhesion across food packaging conditions

Freezer-safe, grease-, moisture- and heat-resistant labels require strong food label adhesion. Our pressure-sensitive label solutions help labels stick securely to common food packaging surfaces, preventing lifting, flagging and edge failure. This reduces the need for rework.

Engineered for food safety and compliance

Printers and brand owners need label materials that comply with applicable food contact requirements and provide access to product safety documentation. We offer food labels that meet technical and regulatory requirements for all major markets, including the US, EU and China.

Regional food safety info

UPM ProCycle™

Recyclability performance made easy by UPM ProCycle adhesive technologies and circular products

With UPM ProCycle adhesives, you get:

Portfolio designed to adapt to changing needs
Externally recognized recycling compatibility
Independent testing for required label functionality
Support with regulatory and sustainability expertise

Learn more from the in-brief brochure of your region:

Americas EMEIA

Label solutions designed for a wide range of food packaging applications

Fruit & vegetables

Fruit and vegetable labels may be applied directly onto produce or packaging with irregular shapes and challenging surfaces, that require enhanced adhesive performance and flexibility.

Our label materials have a high adhesive coat weight to reduce edge lifting even on curved or uneven surfaces, while maintaining print clarity for product information, traceability and branding.

Dairy & plant-based products

Dairy and plant-based products, including cheeses, yogurts, butters and spreads, move through challenging conditions, changing temperatures and humid environments from filling to refrigerated storage and frequent handling in consumer use. High-quality printing and reliable adhesion across bottles, tubs and flexible packaging ensure clear product communication and label performance.

Meat & seafood

Meat and seafood packaging often involves moisture, cold chain conditions, fatty surfaces and irregular packaging formats such as skin packs or trays. Label materials must maintain adhesion and readability throughout packing, transport and retail handling. Label materials engineered for demanding meat and seafood applications support reliable adhesion, condensation resistance and durable performance in chilled and cold storage conditions.

Sauces, condiments & cooking oils

Sauce, condiment and cooking oil packaging ranges from rigid glass and aluminum containers to squeezable plastic packaging exposed to grease, hot fill processes and frequent handling. Our labels deliver secure adhesion and clear print reproduction across curved, rigid and flexible packaging surfaces without lifting, wrinkling or loss of readability.

Ready meal packaging

Ready meal packaging often requires short runs and additional functionality such as tamper-evident or peel-and-read labels. Ready meal labels must perform reliably through chilled storage, transport, handling and heat-and-eat conditions.

Pressure-sensitive label materials support efficient converting, reliable dispensing and clear delivery of products, allergens, and traceability information.

Frozen desserts & ice cream

Frozen desserts and ice cream packaging must withstand frost, ice, moisture and extremely cold conditions throughout production, storage and retail handling. When labels are exposed to freezing temperatures, adhesive selection becomes critical to ensure secure bonding and label readability.

Why printers and converters choose UPM Raflatac label materials for food

Consistent caliper and liner release across rolls and batches supports stable runnability and efficient converting on high-speed food labeling lines.

Formulated for reliable ink adhesion across flexo, offset and digital printing, maintaining clear and durable product information through production, distribution and shelf life.

Engineered to maintain adhesion and performance across demanding food packaging conditions, including moisture, grease, temperature changes and handling.

Materials are designed to meet applicable food safety and regulatory requirements, supported by comprehensive technical documentation.

Technical and end-use expertise supports printers in selecting the right label constructions and delivering solutions that meet their customers’ performance, compliance and sustainability needs.

Solutions are designed to support recyclability and material efficiency, helping printers and their customers meet evolving sustainability targets.

Food label materials supported by regulatory compliance and technical guidance

Food packaging applications are demanding - and so are the regulations around them. Our food label materials are engineered for efficient converting and reliable adhesion, while meeting food safety, traceability and sustainability requirements across the markets you serve.

Proven performance and converting reliability

Proven and tested adhesion, release, and converting performance
Adhesive and label expertise for optimizing label performance across packaging formats and end-use environments

Food safety and regulatory compliance

Label materials developed for food labeling applications where both technical and regulatory requirements are considered
Thorough product safety documentation available, including Declarations of Compliance
GMP-aligned production processes and ISO 22000-certified manufacturing sites
Regional regulatory support for Europe, the USA and China

Global supply and expert support

Reliable supply and lead times
Support for material selection across regulated food packaging environments

Regional food safety info

Europe

United States

China

Label solutions that support food packaging sustainability goals

Our UPM Raflatac food label materials help support sustainability targets while maintaining reliable converting and end-use performance across demanding food packaging environments. They also support packaging development aligned with evolving recyclability and material efficiency requirements, including PPWR-driven (Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation) label solutions.

Thinner label materials reduce material use while maintaining performance

Reduced material use with proven performance

Sustainable food packaging with renewable and recycled materials.

UPM Label Life provides sustainability insights through life cycle assessment metrics

Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)

Packaging recyclability guide Ebook

Functional label solutions for food packaging

Food labels often need to combine regulatory information, traceability, readability and brand presentation within limited packaging space. Our label materials support reliable print performance and converting efficiency across front and back labels, tamper-evident constructions and multi-layer constructions, and decorative food packaging formats.

Multilayer and peel-and-reveal labels

Enable additional product information, multilingual content and regulatory communication without compromising readability or converting efficiency.

Tamper-evident and seal labels

Support product integrity with label constructions designed for reliable sealing and visible tamper evidence.

Decorative and brand-focused label materials

Support food packaging presentation with matte, gloss, textured, metallic, clear-on-clear and high-opacity label materials engineered for reliable print performance and converting efficiency.

Need help selecting the right food label material?

Talk to our labeling experts or explore food label solutions through our product finder.

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