A quiet but critical shift is on the horizon for the UK’s flour producers. With mandatory folic acid fortification coming into effect, the industry is preparing for a significant packaging rethink. What many don’t yet realise is that these changes extend far beyond just what’s inside the bag, they impact how it’s packaged, transported, and presented to the market.

At Peter Marsh Group, we’ve been working closely with clients in the milling and food production sectors to ensure their packaging solutions are ready – not just for compliance, but for sustainability, efficiency, and long-term success. With over 150 years of manufacturing experience, we understand how to meet the evolving standards without disruption.

If you’re producing flour in the UK, here’s what you need to know and why switching to paper sacks may be one of the smartest moves you can make right now. Big packaging changes ahead for flour producers could be the most important article you read this year.

What’s Changing and Why It Matters

In a major public health step, the UK government has mandated that all non-wholemeal wheat flour be fortified with folic acid. This decision aims to reduce neural tube defects in babies by ensuring that more people receive sufficient folate through their diet.

For flour producers, this means more than just adding a micronutrient. It triggers strict regulations around:

  • Traceability of ingredients
  • Moisture control (folic acid is sensitive to moisture and heat)
  • Barrier requirements in packaging
  • Labelling accuracy and compliance

If your current packaging isn’t engineered to meet these needs or if you’re still relying on plastic-based sacks that don’t breathe or protect effectively – now’s the time to review your supply chain.

The Packaging Challenge: Folic Acid & Plastic Don’t Mix

Folic acid, while beneficial for health, presents packaging challenges:

  • Moisture sensitivity: It can degrade rapidly in humid conditions.
  • UV sensitivity: Exposure to light may reduce effectiveness.
  • Interaction with plastics: Certain plastic films used in sack liners can actually absorb or degrade folic acid over time, risking regulatory non-compliance and loss of efficacy.

Many businesses are now realising that packaging designed for standard flour is no longer suitable for fortified variants.

The Paper Advantage

Paper sacks, particularly those engineered by Peter Marsh Group, offer distinct advantages when dealing with folic acid-enriched flour:

  • Breathability: Multi-ply paper allows controlled airflow while protecting against contaminants, essential for preserving flour quality.
  • Custom linings: We offer greaseproof and moisture-resistant liners that don’t compromise nutrient stability.
  • Light barrier options: Sack designs can be tailored with coatings or inner layers to protect against UV exposure.
  • Fully compliant labelling: With high-resolution flexographic print options, your bags can display all required nutritional and regulatory information clearly and consistently.

Best of all, our paper sacks are fully recyclable, aligning with both customer expectations and tightening environmental legislation.

Trusted by the UK’s Leading Flour Producers

We’ve been supplying sacks to flour producers for generations. One longstanding client – a family-owned milling operation – was among the first to test fortified flour in preparation for the upcoming mandate. Their old sacks weren’t holding up.

The folic acid-infused product had higher sensitivity to moisture during transport, and their plastic-laminated sacks weren’t breathing properly. They saw increased condensation, clumping, and reduced shelf life.

After trialling our paper-based alternatives:

  • Moisture issues disappeared
  • Product integrity was maintained during storage and delivery
  • They were able to meet retailer and government demands with ease

“We didn’t expect paper to outperform plastic, but it did. The Peter Marsh team helped us make a smooth transition, and now our flour is shelf-stable, compliant, and better branded than ever.”

Designed for Food-Grade Confidence

Every paper sack from Peter Marsh Group is designed with food safety at its core:

  • Food-grade kraft paper
  • Optional liners and coatings to suit ingredients
  • HACCP-aligned production process
  • Available in standard and custom sizes

We also meet export, hygiene, and traceability requirements, ensuring your packaging is ready for both domestic and international distribution.

Brand as Well as Function

With new labelling requirements comes the opportunity to reinforce your brand. Our sacks are fully customisable with:

  • Bold colour printing
  • Company logos and product lines
  • Clear ingredient declarations and batch labelling
  • Sustainability messaging that speaks to your values

In a competitive retail space, packaging is more than a container—it’s a statement. It tells your customers you’re serious about food safety, health, and sustainability.

Why Act Now?

Regulatory changes always bring disruption, however early adopters gain the advantage. By reviewing your packaging now, you avoid:

  • Non-compliance penalties
  • Stock recalls or product degradation
  • Last-minute packaging shortages
  • Reputational damage with retailers

Peter Marsh Group offers a simple, supported path forward:

1. Consultation

We’ll review your current packaging setup and assess compatibility with folic acid-enriched flour.

2. Sampling

You’ll receive tailored paper sack samples to test with your machinery and product.

3. Prototyping

We’ll create branded mock-ups and lining options suited to your operations.

4. Production

Once you approve, we manufacture and deliver on time, and to spec.

No headaches. No missed deadlines. Just better packaging.

A Sustainable Future for Flour

Alongside regulatory compliance, paper sacks offer significant environmental benefits:

  • Biodegradable and recyclable
  • Lower carbon footprint than plastic
  • Aligned with retailer and consumer expectations
  • No risk of microplastic contamination

By switching to sustainable paper packaging, you’re also future-proofing your business against upcoming plastic taxes and sustainability metrics within retail procurement policies.

Ready to Prepare for the Future?

With folic acid fortification coming into effect, now is the right time to review your packaging and supply partners.

Contact Peter Marsh Group today for a free consultation or product sample pack.

Let’s make your packaging safer, smarter, and sustainable—while keeping your flour fresher for longer.

Visit www.petermarsh.co.uk or call our Business Development Team now.

We’re ready when you are.