Propolis is sold in various forms, and each form places its own demands on packaging.

The forms

• Raw propolis: Lumps or granules from a screen
• Ground: Milled cold into powder
• Extract: Liquid

The shared requirements

• Dark: Light breaks down the constituents
• Cool: Heat does the same, and propolis becomes sticky
• Airtight: Against drying out and odour uptake
• Food-safe material

Paper and cardboard are unsuitable: propolis sticks to them and there is no protection from air.

Why packing cold pays

At room temperature propolis is sticky and cannot be weighed or dosed. Cold it is brittle and can be handled.

Anyone packing propolis therefore takes it out of storage cold and works quickly.

With extract

Dark glass is not a choice here but a necessity; light is even more damaging to the extract than to the raw product.

Small units, because repeated opening exposes the entire contents to air.

Labelling

Note per batch: apiary, period, harvest date, and whether it came from a screen or from scraped material.

That last determines the quality and should be known to the buyer.

Regulation

Rules on labelling and food safety apply to small quantities too. Check the current requirements before selling.

Health claims are prohibited in most countries — on the label and spoken.

Warning

Allergic reactions are possible and should be stated.