Choosing a pack
What is a tamper-evident container, and is it the same as tamper-proof?
Short answer
A tamper-evident container shows clearly if it has been opened: a tab, band or hinge lock breaks on first opening and cannot be reset. A tamper-proof (or tamper-resistant) pack tries to stop opening altogether. Food packs are tamper-evident, not tamper-proof. AVI's rPET tamper-evident clamshells run from 8 oz (TE 300 / 8oz) to 64 oz (TE 2200 / 64oz - TRF).
Part of the guides: Herbs, salads and cut fruit packaging guide and Pack types explained: punnets, clamshells, trays and more
- Smallest8 oz, 145 × 128 × 40 mm
- Largest64 oz, 221 × 206 × 78 mm
AVI's tamper-evident clamshells
| Pack | Type | Size (L × W × H) | Empty weight | Holds | Per carton | Enquiry |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TE 300 / 8oz | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 145 × 128 × 40 mm | 17 g | — | 655 | |
| TE 300 / 12oz | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 145 × 128 × 50 mm | 18 g | — | 640 | |
| TE 300 / 16oz | Tamper-evident closure | 145 × 128 × 65 mm | 22 g | — | 600 | |
| TE 750 / 20oz | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 189 × 145 × 50 mm | 30 g | — | 320 | |
| TE 750 / 24oz | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 189 × 145 × 60 mm | 34 g | — | 310 | |
| TE 750 / 32oz | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 189 × 145 × 72 mm | 38 g | — | 300 | |
| TE 2200 / 48oz - TRF | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 221 × 206 × 60 mm | 62 g | — | 220 | |
| TE 2200 / 64oz - TRF | Hinged clamshell with tamper-evident closure | 221 × 206 × 78 mm | 65 g | — | 200 |
All packs are rPET. Figures from AVI's catalogue; tolerances and fill depend on the produce, so samples are the final check.
AVI products for this
Three terms
- Tamper-evident: opening leaves visible proof. Most food packs.
- Tamper-resistant: harder to open without tools, such as child-resistant caps.
- Tamper-proof: cannot be opened without destroying it. Rare in practice; the phrase is often used loosely for tamper-evident.
How AVI's packs show opening
The clamshell locks shut when first closed. To open it, the customer tears off a strip along the front, which cannot be put back. No sticker, seal or band is needed, so packing stays fast.
Where it matters
Grab-and-go salads and cut fruit, delivery orders, food service, and premium berries and herbs, where a buyer wants proof that nobody has touched the food.
Related questions
Is tamper-evident packaging required for food?
For fresh and ready-to-eat food it is usually a buyer's requirement rather than a law: retailers, delivery platforms and food-service chains often ask for it. Medicines are different; check the rules for your product and market.
Does a heat-sealed punnet count as tamper-evident?
Yes. A film lid sealed to the tray has to be torn or peeled to open, which shows at once.