2. INTRODUCTION
Food packaging lies at the very heart of the modern food industry and
very few foods are sold unpackaged. Good packaging prevents waste
and ensures that the food retains its desired quality throughout its shelf
life. Despite its importance and the key role that packaging plays, it is
often regarded as, at best, somewhat superfluous, and, at worst, a
serious waste of resources and an environmental menace. Such views
arise because, by the time most consumers come into contact with a
package, its job, in many cases, is almost over. However, if the world is
ever going to be able to feed 9 billion people, then the quality and
quantity of food packaging is going to have to increase considerably.
3. Functions
Physical protection - The food enclosed in the package may require protection from, among
, shock, vibration, compression, temperature, bacteria, etc.
Barrier protection - A barrier from oxygen, water vapor, dust, etc., is often required. Permeation is
a critical factor in design. Some packages contain desiccants or oxygen absorbers to help extend
shelf life. Modified atmospheres or controlled atmospheres are also maintained in some food
packages. Keeping the contents clean, fresh, and safe for the intended shelf life is a primary
function.
Containment or agglomeration - Small items are typically grouped together in one package to
allow efficient handling. Liquids, powders, and granular materials need containment.
Information transmission - Packages and labels communicate how to use, transport, recycle, or
dispose of the package or product. Some types of information are required by governments.
4. Marketing - The packaging and labels can be used by marketers to encourage potential buyers to
purchase the product. Marketing communications and graphic design are applied to the surface of the
package and the point of sale display. The color of the package plays a significant role in evoking
emotions that persuade the consumer to make the purchase.
Security - Packaging can play an important role in reducing the security risks of shipment. Packages
can be made with improved tamper resistance to deter tampering and also can have tamper-
evident features to help indicate tampering. Packages may include authentication seals to help indicate
that the package and contents are not counterfeit. Packages also can include anti-theft devices, such as
dye packs, RFID tags that can be activated or detected by devices at exit points and require specialized
tools to deactivate. Using packaging in this way is a means of retail loss prevention.
Convenience - Packages can have features which add convenience in distribution, handling, stacking,
display, sale, opening, reclosing, use, and reuse.
Portion control - Single-serving packaging has a precise amount of contents to control usage. Bulk
commodities can be divided into packages that are a more suitable size for individual households. It
also aids the control of inventory: selling sealed one-liter bottles of milk, rather than having people
bring their own bottles to fill themselves.
5. Fundamental of food
packaging
A growing body of research has helped point food packaging in a
direction that reflects values and emotions of consumers. Food
packaging must capture the imagination to compete with the
thousands of food choices in a supermarket. Some of the ways
researchers learn about what type of food packaging designs
will work for include:
Motivational research
Colour testing
Psychological manipulation
6. Machines
A choice of packaging machinery requires consideration of technical capabilities, labor requirements,
worker safety, maintainability, serviceability, reliability, ability to integrate into the packaging line,
capital cost, floorspace, flexibility, energy usage, quality of outgoing packages, qualifications through
out, efficiency, productivity, and ergonomics, at a minimum.
Packaging machines may be of the following general types:
Coding label and date verification
Blister-, skin- and vacuum-packaging machines
Capping, over-capping closing, seaming and sealing machines
Check weighing machines
Cleaning, sterilizing, cooling and drying machines
Feeding, orienting, and placing machines
Filling machines for liquid and powdered products
Package filling and closing Machines
Wrapping machines
Converting machines
7. Manufacturing of the
packages.
Packaging lines may have a variety of equipment types: integration of automated
systems can be a challenge. All aspects of food production, including packaging,
are tightly controlled and have regulatory requirements.
Uniformity, cleanliness and other requirements are needed to maintain Good
Manufacturing Practices.
Product safety management is vital. A complete Quality Management
System must be in place. Hazard analysis and critical control points is one
methodology which has been proven useful.
Verification and validation involves collecting documentary evidence of all
aspects of compliance. Quality assurance extends beyond the packaging
operations through distribution and cold chain management.
8. Scope of food packaging
The scope of food packaging is really wide, and try my best to list some
of my personal understanding below:
The flexible food packaging including PE packaging, Aluminum
packaging, nylon mesh, filter paper, paper.
The metal packaging like metal can, metal box, etc
The plastic container like bottle, jar, etc
The glass container like bottle, jar,etc
Every packaging has its own position, however, the flexible packaging
really dominated because of its feature - low cost.
9. Importance of food packaging
Packaging protects against damage or contamination by micro-organisms, air, moisture and
toxins. It prevents product spilling or leaking.
Nutrition, ingredients and sell-by dates are important not only to the consumer, but to grocery
stores as well. Bar codes help stores to track inventory and sales.
Food Packaging plays such an important role in the preservation and marketability of a
product, many companies seek a contract packaging service to help them obtain the best
quality packaging available. Benefits to a co-manufacturer include cost, speed, quality and
innovation.
Packaging is an essential medium for preserving food quality, minimising food wastage and
reducing preservatives used in food.
The packaging serves the important function of containing the food, protecting against
chemical and physical damage whilst providing information essential to consumers and
marketers.
10. Benefits of food packaging
Packaging provides a variety of benefits:.
Barrier protection – Packaging provides a barrier to dust, water, humidity and other
contaminants that could potentially harm the contents and decrease their shelf life.
Containment – Grouping multiple cases, small objects or bulk materials together aids in both
manual and automated handling.
Convenience – Packages can have features that add convenience in distribution, handling,
stacking, display, opening, reclosing, use, dispensing, reuse, recycling, and ease of disposal.
Physical protection – Packaged products are protected from damage caused by dropping, shock,
vibration, electrostatic discharge, extreme temperature shifts and impacts.
Security – Tamper resistant and tamper evident packaging can reduce the risk of theft, or indicate
that damage has occurred during handling.
Sustainability – Returnable and reusable packaging can be used repeatedly before it is recycled;
some materials are engineered to biodegrade.
11. Conclusion
Food packaging indeed influences food consumption
behavior in a number of ways depending on the visual
appeal, the size, the nature, as well as the healthiness of the
food content. Clear bags make it easier for an individual to
be tempted by appealing foods than opaque bags based on
the fact that these bags reveal to the consumers what they
are about to consume.
