A packaging container comprising: a base section having a bottom surface and spaced apart inner and outer wall segments (30a, 30b), said outer wall segment having a deformable flange extending laterally and outwardly therefrom, in a direction opposite the inner wall; a cover section having a top surface and a side wall portion, said cover section adapted to cover said base section when in a closed state; and a closure and release mechanism including at least one first aperture formed within said inner wall segment of the base section and at least one second aperture formed within the outer wall segment of the base section aligned with said at least one first aperture, at least one projection extending inwardly from the side wall portion of the cover section for engaging the at least one first aperture and being adapted to engage the at least one second aperture of the base section, said closure and release mechanism retaining the cover section over the base section and securing the packaging container in a closed position and wherein the at least one projection is released from the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture by depressing the deformable flange, thereby opening the packaging container, wherein said packaging container further comprises at least one depression formed within the outer wall segment wherein said at least one second aperture is formed within the at least one depression, at least one inwardly protruding section formed in the side wall portion of the cover section shaped to correspond with said at least one depression formed within the outer wall segment of the base section, wherein said at least one projection is formed within the at least one inwardly protruding section, and a peripheral flange extending laterally from the side wall portion of the cover section, said peripheral flange adapted to contact said laterally extending flange of said base section when the packaging container is in a closed position, characterized in that said peripheral flange has a cut out section at the inwardly protruding section of the peripheral wall, such as to provide unobstructed access for depressing the deformable flange of the base section for opening the packaging container. a base section having a bottom surface and spaced apart inner and outer wall segments (30a, 30b), said outer wall segment having a deformable flange extending laterally and outwardly therefrom, in a direction opposite the inner wall; a cover section having a top surface and a side wall portion, said cover section adapted to cover said base section when in a closed state; and a closure and release mechanism including at least one first aperture formed within said inner wall segment of the base section and at least one second aperture formed within the outer wall segment of the base section aligned with said at least one first aperture, at least one projection extending inwardly from the side wall portion of the cover section for engaging the at least one first aperture and being adapted to engage the at least one second aperture of the base section, said closure and release mechanism retaining the cover section over the base section and securing the packaging container in a closed position and wherein the at least one projection is released from the at least one first aperture and the at least one second aperture by depressing the deformable flange, thereby opening the packaging container, wherein said packaging container further comprises at least one depression formed within the outer wall segment wherein said at least one second aperture is formed within the at least one depression, at least one inwardly protruding section formed in the side wall portion of the cover section shaped to correspond with said at least one depression formed within the outer wall segment of the base section, wherein said at least one projection is formed within the at least one inwardly protruding section, and a peripheral flange extending laterally from the side wall portion of the cover section, said peripheral flange adapted to contact said laterally extending flange of said base section when the packaging container is in a closed position, characterized in that said peripheral flange has a cut out section at the inwardly protruding section of the peripheral wall, such as to provide unobstructed access for depressing the deformable flange of the base section for opening the packaging container.