Katie Skaggs and Mark Thompson Quoted in Meat+Poultry Article on Packaging Trends for Meat and Poultry Products

Keller and Heckman Partners Katie Skaggs and Mark Thompson were quoted in the Meat+Poultry article, “Meat, poultry packaging trends reshape processor priorities.” The article examines how meat and poultry processors are adapting packaging strategies to balance food safety, shelf life, sustainability goals, and new regulatory pressures. As states implement Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, processors face increased costs and challenges in reducing packaging while still meeting strict performance and food safety requirements.

According to Mark, EPR fees based on packaging materials will add costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers. He also added that because meat and poultry products use complex packaging platforms, including films and trays that are uniquely tailored for safety and suitability per FDA and USDA requirements, it can be difficult to pivot to alternatives.

Katie noted the additional challenges posed by sustainability mandates, stating, “There are sustainability benchmarks for PCR content, recyclability and source reduction, among others, that will pose real challenges for meat and poultry producers, which often already use lean packaging formats, and packaging exemptions often are not in play for meat and poultry products.”

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