An unexpected revolution is taking place right now. You can see it every time you go to a supermarket or downtown to do your shopping. As time goes by, we become aware of the way the packaging of the products we buy changes.

One aspect of packaging is to cover and wrap a product to protect it from environmental effects during storage and transportation processes. These products are a prerequisite for all edible and inedible items. It also provides excellent protection, excellent preservation, and presentable quality. There are many different types of packaging and packaging materials. However, we will not go into this topic yet because later we will see the types of packaging in more detail. Packaging is not a new or modern term since in prehistoric times different elements were used to protect food and preserve it in case there was no food later. People began to use plant leaves and with the passage of time wooden boxes began to appear or they used skins in case there were no leaves left. Years later, new elements and new ways of making suitable packaging appeared. Those elements were cups, closed wrappers, boxes, among others. An important detail is that a prominent packaging was the paper that later took the form of cardboard, whose material is essential for packaging today.

In addition, packaging tends to be differentiated by shapes, colors, and also by the different embroideries that can be attractive to attract the attention of buyers. A packaging material that is becoming less popular today by people is plastic since not all plastics are recyclable and they always end up being discarded. In relation to sales, a very important characteristic is the design of the packaging. The appearance of the package is essential and can take a lot of advantage over the competition. The detail that people notice the most when buying a product is the color and then the shape of the package. So, it is key that the package has an easy and accessible container. Many food companies such as McDonald's or Starbucks began to manufacture small and also recyclable containers.

For example:

Furthermore, profitable food packaging designs are measured by their food preservation technology. Therefore, shoppers are constantly looking for fresher and healthier food options.

Finally, the best food packaging designs of the last century are presented below. According to different suppliers, these designs are the ones that gave rise to a new revolution in packaging products.

Microwaveable packaging

The invention of the microwave oven in 1967 paved the way for one of the most convenient food preparations today, saving time and money. A range of microwave-safe packaging includes cartons, bags, and plastic containers for a variety of food options including popcorn and cakes. Many people use glass or ceramic containers and cardboard or paper packaging for the microwave.

Glass or ceramic containers

They are the most purchased and the most used because they offer the best results. However, you should always look for them to be labeled as microwave-safe so they can be used in the microwave. Acquiring a poor-quality container can cause it to break after several minutes of heat.

Cardboard or paper packaging

This kind of packaging is usually not microwaveable. In rare instances, everything will be fine if you remove all kinds of aluminum foil or do not use containers with drawings or writing because the ink can melt and mix with your food.

Sachets and pouches

Sachets and pouches are low-cost and highly efficient food packaging materials that replace much of the tin-can items. They are lighter and easier to open and can be used for practically all food products.

Sachets have become the number one package in various applications, putting the power in your hands to determine the size of the package and the amount of product it contains. This has made them a common use for sampling in a wide range of markets.

The sachets are ideal for vitamins, tablets, cosmetic products, as shown below:

Tetra Pak

Billions of liters of water, milk, juices, and other liquids are consumed every day around the world. At Tetra Pak, they developed a range of packaging to protect both the nutritional value and the taste of the products they contain. Thanks to the technology they use, the packaging and distribution of liquid and food products to the consumer has been greatly facilitated.

They provide integrated processing, packaging and distribution solutions for food manufacturing and offer packaging machines for different packaging alternatives.

Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP)

Food manufacturers are constantly searching for ways to extend the shelf life of food without altering its physical or chemical properties or adding non-natural preservatives.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is the ideal way to achieve this. It is a natural method and it’s becoming more popular around the world. In many cases, it can be combined with other food preservation techniques to increase its effectiveness.

Soda cans

The use of aluminum cans in the middle of the last century brought with it an innovation: ring pull cans, which eventually became hold-down tabs. They are not only convenient, but fully recyclable.

Plastic/PET bottles

Where would we be without bottled waters? This packaging material, which is also used for juices and energy drinks, has evolved through the years by using polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This makes the bottles lighter, easier to mold, and more shatterproof than the previous design.

They are made of recyclable plastic that is optimal for packaging liquids thanks to its high degree of transparency, thermal resistance (max. 65ºC) and insulation from external agents. The recycled PET bottles are made of a first-generation material that does not transmit any type of smell or taste to its content. Once used, the PET plastic bottles must be disposed of in the plastic container for proper recycling.

Childproof bottles

Parents benefit a lot from the development of childproof bottles which continue to baffle children. This is easier for parents to store food items that might be harmful to kids. However, it has been found out that highly inquisitive toddlers always find a way to open these bottle caps.

Frozen food packages

Between buying fresh and canned food, you have another option: frozen food. Freezing food preserves it from the moment it is prepared until the moment it is consumed. Farmers, fishermen, and trappers have kept the grains they produce by freezing them in unheated buildings during the winter season. Freezing food slows spoilage by turning residual moisture into ice, inhibiting the growth of most bacterial species. Regarded as the first large-scale food packaging design, frozen food containers not only extend shelf life but provide solutions to storage problems. FreshCase containers for fresh red meat and Heinz Dip n Squeeze ™ Ketchup are known for their moist food containers.

I recommend using these food packaging designs because not only are they better for the planet, but they are becoming the standard for many environmentally savvy consumers who expect more from their favorite brands. Today, food packaging designers are full of excitement and enthusiasm. There are more than a thousand packaging materials that are used to extend the life and quality of products. This achievement is due to new updated technologies. All of these are playing an important role in our efforts to save the environment as they are biodegradable and not harmful to the environment.

References

https://www.packaging-labelling.com/articles/revolutionizing-food-packaging

https://chaseandassoc.com/5-packaging-innovations-that-are-changing-the-industry/

https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/revolutionizing-the-food-packaging-industry-with-aseptic-processing/

https://www.fooddive.com/news/going-green-how-sustainability-is-revamping-food-packaging/445074/

https://www.tetrapak.com/

https://www.modifiedatmospherepackaging.com/#:~:text=What%20is%20Modified%20Atmosphere%20Packaging%3F%20Modified%20atmosphere%20packaging,will%20stay%20fresh%20for%20as%20long%20as%20possible.

https://www.tri-mach.com/microwavable-packaging-continues-to-innovate/#:~:text=Microwaveable%20packaging%20helps%20microwaveable%20products%20meet%20demands%20for,selectively%20direct%20microwave%20energy%20to%20optimize%20food%20heating%2Fcooking.