What does it really cost to serve a meal in 2025?
For many brands, it’s no longer just about ingredients packaging is becoming one of the biggest cost variables in the food business. With recent U.S. tariffs doubling on imported steel and aluminum (now up to 50%), everything from soda cans to foil trays is being affected. The impact stretches across manufacturing, foodservice, and retail and it’s reshaping how food is stored, served, and sold.
This is a critical moment for companies to reevaluate what materials they’re using, how they’re sourcing them, and how to stay competitive without compromising sustainability.
Let’s break it down.
📈 It’s Not Just About the Can Anymore
Steel and aluminum have long been go-to materials for packaging. They’re sturdy, recyclable, and familiar to consumers. But with tariffs rising, costs are expected to jump 9–15% and that’s just for canned goods.
Here’s what else is affected:
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Foil takeout containers, trays, and pans
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Insulated foil delivery bags
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Aluminum beverage cans
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Frozen and chilled meal trays
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Foil wraps and aluminum sheets used in food prep
Because so much of this material is imported, the price increases are felt throughout the food packaging ecosystem showing up in grocery stores, restaurants, and delivery platforms alike.
🔄 How Businesses Are Responding
The ripple effect has been swift.
Manufacturers are absorbing higher material costs, retooling production lines, and in some cases shifting to domestic sources though capacity limits make this challenging.
Foodservice operators are pivoting faster. They’re swapping in fiber-based packaging, paper-based wraps, and reusable alternatives. Others are diversifying with glass jars and multilayer cartons to reduce reliance on metals.
In short, companies aren’t just reacting they’re redesigning.
🌱 The Sustainability Trade-Off
Every packaging decision in 2025 now carries more weight financially and environmentally.
Here’s how popular packaging options are stacking up:
The key is finding the balance optimizing for durability, disposal, and customer experience without inflating packaging budgets.
🧭 Navigating the New Packaging Landscape
Short-term, many brands are adapting out of necessity. But long-term, this moment is driving smarter packaging strategies.
Forward-thinking brands are:
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Testing compostable trays and recyclable fiber formats
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Exploring reusable packaging models
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Light-weighting designs to use less material
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Replacing foil with layered paper or glass where possible
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Reimagining packaging to minimize metal use
This isn’t just reactive problem-solving — it’s progress.
⚖️ Balancing Cost and Sustainability
While tariffs are triggering immediate action, the bigger opportunity lies in aligning sustainability goals with long-term cost control.
Brands leading the shift are focusing on:
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Streamlined packaging that reduces waste and saves money
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Durable materials with reliable recycling or composting pathways
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Consumer education on responsible disposal
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Measurable KPIs that align with ESG goals and brand values
It’s not just about avoiding short-term costs, it’s about building lasting systems that make sense both financially and environmentally.
💬 A Moment for Reflection
This shift isn’t just about packaging. It’s about leadership.
Tariffs are creating pressure, yes but they’re also accelerating necessary changes in how we approach food packaging. What we use, how we source it, and how we communicate it to consumers matters more than ever.
This is a rare chance to rethink the everyday: How we serve food. How we design our containers. How we show our values through the materials we choose.
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