There is always a story behind something that goes viral.
Sometimes it is a story of creativity.
Sometimes, a story of courage.
And sometimes—quietly, uncomfortably—it is a story that asks us to pause.
A café in Bali recently captured global attention by selling matcha in packaging that resembled an IV infusion bag. Transparent plastic. Hanging tube. Medical-style typography. Even the words “dextrose monohydrate” printed boldly, as if the drink belonged in a hospital room rather than a café counter.
The seller claimed the packaging was food-grade, not medical waste.
But in matters of food safety, claims alone are never enough.
Because when food meets the human body, ethics matters.
And when packaging imitates medical equipment—objects long associated with sterility, risk, and hazardous waste—education becomes non-negotiable.
This is not just about matcha.
This is about trust.
First, Let Us Understand Why Beverage Packaging Must Be Truly Food Grade
Before discussing aesthetics, trends, or virality, we must return to the basics.
In the food and beverage industry, food-grade is not a marketing term. It is a scientific and regulatory standard. Food-grade materials are designed to come into direct contact with food and drinks without causing harm. They do not react chemically. They do not alter taste, aroma, or color. And most importantly, they do not release toxic substances over time.
Certified food-grade packaging undergoes chemical migration testing. This testing ensures that no harmful compounds leach into beverages—even when exposed to acidity, temperature changes, or prolonged storage. Without this testing, risks may not be immediate, but they are cumulative.
Globally, food-grade standards are governed by recognized authorities. In Indonesia, they fall under BPOM regulations and SNI standards. Internationally, they may comply with FDA or EU food-contact regulations. Legitimate packaging suppliers prove compliance through clear certification, labeling, and traceability.
Symbols like the Cup and Fork icon, “Food Safe” labeling, or official approval marks are not decoration. They are signals of accountability.
Without them, consumers are left with uncertainty.
And uncertainty has no place in something we drink.
Next, Why Unique Packaging Has Always Been a Beverage Industry Strategy
Let us be honest—creative packaging works.
From square bottles to neon labels, from minimalist cups to sculpted cans, the beverage industry has long relied on visual storytelling. Packaging is often the first conversation between a brand and its customer. When done right, it builds identity, sparks curiosity, and creates emotional attachment.
The matcha infusion-style packaging was likely designed with this intention. Custom flexible plastic manufacturers can produce unique shapes that hold liquid efficiently while delivering a strong visual message. In theory, there is nothing wrong with this.
Creativity is not the enemy.
Negligence is.
Because no matter how innovative the shape, materials and purpose must remain compliant with food safety laws. A design may be bold. A concept may be viral. But if it blurs the boundary between medical devices and food containers, it crosses into dangerous territory.
Innovation should invite admiration—not confusion.
However, This Is Exactly Why This Packaging Raised Serious Concerns
Public concern did not arise out of paranoia. It arose out of visual literacy.
The packaging closely resembled genuine IV bags—complete with medical typography, pharmaceutical-style labeling, and symbols commonly associated with prescription drugs. Some even pointed out brand-like markings similar to hospital infusion products.
For many consumers, this resemblance triggered a legitimate fear:
Is this medical waste?
Is this reused?
Is this even meant for drinking?
Medical packaging and food packaging follow entirely different regulatory paths. Medical plastics are designed for controlled clinical use, not casual consumption. They may contain residues, additives, or sterilization agents that are unsafe when repurposed.
When visual boundaries disappear, skepticism is not rude.
It is responsible.
Then Comes the Critical Question: Why Infusion Plastic Is Not Beverage Packaging
If the packaging were truly medical waste, the risks would be severe.
Medical devices—even single-use ones—can carry pathogenic microorganisms if improperly handled. A 2025 study in the Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International found that reused or mismanaged medical plastics can become vectors for bacterial transmission without strict sterilization protocols.
Even if the packaging is newly manufactured, imitation alone creates ethical risk. Consumers associate IV bags with illness, sterility, and clinical intervention. Using that imagery for a beverage trivializes medical equipment and may normalize unsafe reuse behavior in less controlled environments.
Food packaging should comfort, not confuse.
It should reassure, not provoke doubt.
Finally, Why Choosing Certified Packaging Partners Is the Smartest Business Decision
If you are a café owner, beverage startup, or brand builder, this viral moment carries a clear lesson: short-term attention is never worth long-term trust.
Working with certified food-grade packaging suppliers protects more than your customers—it protects your brand. Reputable suppliers provide documentation, compliance testing, and transparent sourcing. They help you innovate without crossing ethical or regulatory lines.
Conversion does not come from shock value alone.
It comes from confidence.
Consumers today are educated. They read labels. They ask questions. They reward brands that respect their health and intelligence. By choosing proper packaging services—those that meet BPOM, SNI, FDA, or equivalent standards—you are not just buying plastic. You are buying credibility.
And credibility is the most powerful marketing asset of all.
A Quiet Reminder
Virality fades.
Screens scroll on.
But what we consume becomes part of us.
In the end, ethical packaging is not about following rules—it is about honoring trust. And brands that understand this do not just sell drinks. They build relationships that last far longer than any trend.
If you are building a beverage brand today, choose wisely.
Your packaging speaks—long before your product is tasted.