Always committed to innovation in both its products and packaging, Frantoio Bonamini once again confirms its dedication to sustainability with the launch of the new 5-litre bag-in-box for San Felice extra virgin olive oil, one of the flagship products of the historic Verona-based company. The new packaging combines a lower environmental impact, ease of use and superior product preservation, as demonstrated by comparative testing against traditional containers.
"With the bag-in-box, we offer those who choose our olive oil a lighter alternative without compromising preservation in any way. It is a commitment we feel towards everyone who uses our oil every day in the kitchen, towards the environment and towards future generations," says Giancarlo Bonamini, owner of Frantoio Bonamini.
Less weight, lower environmental impact
The comparison with the traditional tinplate can is striking. A 5-litre tinplate can with its cap weighs 402 grams, whereas the inner bag of the bag-in-box weighs just 46 grams. Even when considering the complete package- including both the inner bag and the outer cardboard box- the total weight is only 172 grams, representing a 57% reduction compared with the metal container.
This significant material saving translates into lower resource consumption during production and transport, as well as easier disposal. The inner bag and cap are recyclable with plastic waste, while the outer box can be recycled with paper.
The bag is made from a PFAS-free multilayer plastic material that complies with European regulations on food-contact materials (EU Regulations 1935/2004, 10/2011, 2023/2006, 1895/2005 and 2022/1616). The outer cardboard box is sourced from an FSC-certified supply chain. The entire packaging line is produced using a dedicated machine purchased specifically for this project.
Performance backed by independent research
The bag-in-box has also been designed to protect olive oil from light and oxidation much more effectively than glass or tinplate containers. This is confirmed by a comparative study conducted by AIPO (Interregional Association of Olive Growers), which monitored five packaging systems over a 12-month period: dark glass, clear glass, clear glass with a UV-protective sleeve, tinplate and a 3-litre bag-in-box. The study assessed free acidity, peroxide value and the spectrophotometric indices K232, K270 and ΔK.
The results showed that the bag-in-box maintained the "extra virgin olive oil" category for the longest period- at least 12 months, compared with 10–11 months for tinplate and unprotected clear glass. It also recorded a much lower increase in peroxide value (+47% compared with +172% for tinplate) and showed no sensory defects during the entire observation period according to panel test evaluations. As the flexible inner bag collapses during dispensing, it prevents air from entering the package each time oil is poured, significantly slowing oxidative degradation, a process that instead affects containers with headspace, such as tinplate cans.
A second important finding demonstrated that the bag-in-box also slows the depletion of naturally occurring bioactive polyphenols and tocopherols, helping to preserve the oil's nutritional and health-promoting properties. In tinplate containers, these antioxidants are progressively consumed as they counteract the oxygen introduced during each dispensing operation.
Protection is further enhanced by the airtight dispensing tap, which ensures an airtight seal after every use, preventing air intake while enabling clean and precise pouring.
Designed for the HORECA sector
The new 5-litre format has been developed primarily for the HORECA channel, both for professional kitchen use-where the dispensing tap simplifies daily dosing- and for resale. The bag-in-box has already been adopted by Michelin-starred restaurants, high-end foodservice operators and food manufacturers for industrial applications.
Looking ahead, Frantoio Bonamini is evaluating the gradual extension of the bag-in-box solution to other products within its portfolio, building on the proven benefits in terms of product preservation, sustainability and ease of use compared with traditional tinplate packaging. The 5-litre San Felice extra virgin olive oil bag-in-box is already available, while the company is assessing the introduction of additional formats and future availability through its online shop.
