Packaging of Food Items

8/4/2019 Packaging of Food Items

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Packaging of Food Items

Introduction

Packaging of food items in an essential task that needs to be performed very carefully by the companies

in order to maintain proper taste and keep the food healthy. Proper packaging helps in protecting the

quality of the food and prevents it from getting tampered. It is not only important to understand how

important packaging of the food is, but it is even more important to understand how to package food

properly. Packaging of the food depends upon the size, type, need for refrigeration, etc.

Importance of packaging

The most important purpose by packaging is the physical protection of the food. Protection provided by

proper packaging is from temperature, compression, shock and other factors that may reduce the

quality of the food. It also provides protection from dust, chemicals, water vapor and oxygen. Packaging

also provides space for labeling and providing useful information such as nutritional facts to the

customer about the product and other information such as brand, price, etc.

Packaging also focuses to extend the shelf life of the food by better protection from all the hazards it will

meet in storage, distribution and use. Some food items have longer shelf life as compared to other food

items. It is not possible to keep the product on display when proper packaging is not done as the food

item may get spoilt. If the shelf life of the product is extended, it makes it possible to sell the product

over a bigger area and it also helps in increasing overall sales. Canned goods and frozen dried products

have longest shelf life and often last for several years whereas other food products become useless if

stored for such a long period of time. In the case of biscuits and namkeen re-packaging is necessary in

order to prevent them from going bad once they are opened. Re-closable bag helps the customer tokeep the food in good condition for longer time period.

Food packaging provides barrier protection to not only keep the product fresh, but also safe. Some

products, for example, contain desiccants or oxygen absorbers to help extend shelf life. Modified

atmospheres or controlled atmospheres are also maintained in some food packages. The importance of

food packaging essentially creates a fake piece of armor that prevents harmful bacteria or other

diseases from corrupting the food. Some products, like meat, may not even be removed from their

original packaging but will still go bad because they were not kept in the correct temperature or

environment. It's important to understand where to store the product not only before the packaging is

opened, but also after it's opened because some types of foods have different needs.


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Proper food packaging functions

Food Packaging serves several purpose:

Protection: The food kept in the package require protection from various things like vibration,shock, compression, temperature, etc.

Barrier protection: Packaging is required to provide a barrier from oxygen, dust, water vapor,etc. Keeping the contents of the food fresh, clean, and safe for the required shelf life is a basic

function.

Containment: Small food items are typically grouped together in one package for efficiency.Granular materials and powders need containment.

Label Information: All food products packages require labels on the nutrition facts, how to use,dispose, date of manufacturing and expiry of the package or product.

Marketing: Proper food packaging with proper information plays a vital role in encouragingpotential customers to buy the product and this case the food packaging design plays an equally

important role. The more attractive the design is, the more is its chances of buying.

Security: Proper packaging can play an essential role in reducing the security risks of shipment.With tamper evident features, there is no chances of the food packages being destroyed or

contaminated during shipment. Convenience: Food packages have certain features which add convenience in handling, stacking,

distribution, sale, display, re-closing, opening, use, and reuse.

Portion control: Lastly, food packaging provides information on the exact portion of contentsavailable in that particular product.

Types of Food Storage Containers:

Plastic Storage Containers

Plastic storage containers, particularly 5 or 6 gallon buckets, are the most popular types of containersused for bulk and large amounts of dry food storage.

Buckets work great when used for storing bulk, dry, emergency foods. Examples:

WheatRiceBeansOatmealFlourSugar

If storing in plastic buckets: look for food-grade, high density polyethylene buckets, they may have HDPEstamped on them, or a recycle symbol with a "2" in the middle.

Smaller sizes of air-tight, plastic food storage containers can also be used to store dehydrated and drygoods that usually will be stored in smaller quantities. Smaller containers work well for foods like:

Pasta & NoodlesCereals & GranolaDehydrated Fruits & VegetablesDried Meats (Jerky)Herbs used for seasoning, teas, and health benefits.

Look for edible grade plastic food containers made from polycarbonate, polyester or polyethylene.


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Metal Cans

Most commercial food storage producers (such as Mountain House), use metal #10 cans for their freezedried foods, they have the longest shelf life available and work best for extended emergency food storage.

Mountain House freeze dried foods are packed in airtight NITROGEN PACKED #10 cans. Up to 98% of theresidual oxygen has been removed allowing a shelf life of up to 30 years.

These #10 cans are coated with a protective enamel inside and out for double protection, including the lid.The freeze dried foods are protected until you are ready to open and use them.

After opening, use the freeze dried foods within 1 to 2 weeks for best results and taste; using theconvenient re-sealable plastic lid between uses. Treat any leftover freeze dried foods as you would freshfood.

A Bulk supply of Metal cans for "home use" is harder to find for food storage purposes. Some people douse empty coffee cans to store foods in, and they work fine for dried or dehydrated foods.

As with plastic buckets, It is recommended if you store bulk dried foods in metal cans, you should line thecans with Oxygen Barrier Bags prior to storing and sealing.

Glass Containers and Canning Jars

Glass containers and jars are a good personal food storage container, but they must be handled with care,they don't handle hard bumps or being dropped.

One great advantage of glass canning jars is the ability to be reused over and over again. Canning jars dorequire specialized canning equipment when using a steam or boiling-process to "bottle" the food forstorage.

Glass canning jars can usually be purchased at warehouse or department stores, like Costco, WalMart, andsome grocery stores carry them also.

Storing Dry Foods in Glass Containers or Jars

When storing dry foods in glass jars or containers, it isn't necessary to use oxygen barrier bags, oxygencannot permeate through glass the same as plastic.

You may however, use oxygen absorbers and/or desiccant packets with dry foods in glass containers. Itwill help to keep foods fresh and give a longer shelf life.

*Oxygen Absorbers & Desiccant Packets are NOT EDIBLE, they are only intended for use with DRY foods

OXYGEN ABSORBERS

Oxygen absorbers are made of a chemical compound, the active ingredient of which is a powdered iron oxide.While they are not edible, they are not toxic and the oxygen does NOT remove the fresh smell and taste of theproduct.

When used with proper packaging and sealing, the oxygen in the packaging is greatly reduced therefore extending

the shelf-life of the food.

Oxygen absorbers utilize rapid activation. The oxygen absorbers start working within minutes of the package beingopened. When packaging food for long-term storage, we recommend that you use the entire contents of the sealedbag of oxygen packets within 15 minutes.

Benefits:

Extends shelf life


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Prevents growth of aerobic pathogens and spoilage organisms, including molds Eliminates the need for additives such as BHA, BHT, sulfur dioxide, sorbates, benzoates, etc.

Typical Applications:

Breads, cookies, cakes, pastries Nuts and snacks Candies and confectioneries Coffee and tea Whole fat dry foods Processed, smoked and cured meats Cheeses and dairy products Dried fruits and vegetable Spices and seasonings Flour and grain items Fresh and precooked pasta and noodles Pharmaceuticals and vitamins Birdseed and pet food

Desiccant Packets

A desiccant is a substance, such as calcium oxide or silica gel, it comes in a small sealed packet that

absorbs moisture and is used as a drying agent.

Desiccants sealed in your food storage containers are intended for moderating shifts in moisture levels,not for lowering the moisture content of the foods. If the food you want to store is too high in moisture forgood storage, this needs to be dealt with BEFORE you seal the packaging.

Be sure you purchase a desiccant that is designed for food storage it will usually be pre-packaged for use.Desiccants are NOT edible, so make sure you have them properly packaged before using them with food.If the desiccant accidentally opens and mixes with your food - throw it all away.

If you'll be using oxygen absorbers in the same container along with desiccants, it is best to place thedesiccant on the bottom of the container and the oxygen absorber on the top. This is to keep thedesiccants from taking needed moisture from your oxygen absorbers which will hinder their operation.

Desiccants and oxygen absorbers perform different functions, but they are used in a similar way. Theyboth begin to adsorb their targets (moisture and oxygen), as soon as they are exposed to them. Once you

open up the original packaging do not keep either of them exposed in the open air for more than fifteenminutes.

When desiccants are used in powdered food items (salt, sugar, flour, etc.) it can cause the food to becomerock hard. Most manufactures will tell you to - store bulk dry foods & powdered goods in mylar bags, thenthere is no need for desiccants - the oxygen absorbers are all you need.

The extra protection of a mylar bag inside of a bucket is the best protection for all stored foods includingpowdered foods.

If you do find you require the use of desiccants in your food storage because of moisture concerns, thebest usage of a desiccant is to seal your food storage containers during the driest time of the year whenhumidity is lowest.
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Food Preservation Method:

Drying

This is the oldest methods of food preservation, it reduces water activity sufficiently to prevent the

growth of bacteria. Most types of meat can be dried. This is especially valuable in the case of pig meat,

since it is difficult to keep without preservation. Many fruits can also be dried; for example, the process

is often applied to apples, pears, bananas, mangos, papaya, and coconut. Zante currants, sultanas and

raisins are all forms of dried grapes. Drying is also the normal means of preservation for cereal grains

such as wheat, maize, oats, barley, rice, millet and rye.

Smoking

Meat, fish and some other foods may be both preserved and flavoured through the use of smoke,

typically in a smoke-house. The combination of heat to dry the food without cooking it, and the addition

of the aromatic hydrocarbons from the smoke preserves the food.

Freezing

Freezing is also one of the most commonly used processes commercially and domestically for preserving

a very wide range of food stuffs including prepared food stuffs which would not have required freezingin their unprepared state. Cold stores provide large volume, long-term storage for strategic food stocks

held in case of national emergency in many countries.

Vacuum Packing

Vacuum-packing stores food in a vacuum environment, usually in an air-tight bag or bottle. The vacuum

environment strips bacteria of oxygen needed for survival, hence preventing the food from spoiling.

Vacuum-packing is commonly used for storing nuts.

Salt

Salting or curing draws moisture from the meat through a process of osmosis. Meat is cured with salt or

sugar, or a combination of the two. Nitrates and nitrites are also often used to cure meat.

Sugar

Sugar is used to preserve fruits, either in syrup with fruit such as apples, pears, peaches, apricots, plums

or in crystallised form where the preserved material is cooked in sugar to the point of crystralisation and

the resultant product is then stored dry. This method is used for the skins of citrus fruit (candied peel),

angelica and ginger. A modification of this process produces glac fruit such as glac cherries where the

fruit is preserved in sugar but is then extracted from the syrup and sold, the preservation being

maintained by the sugar content of the fruit and the superficial coating of syrup. The use of sugar is

often combined with alcohol for preservation of luxury products such as fruit in brandy or other spirits.

These should not be confused with fruit flavoured spirits such as Cherry Brandy or Sloe gin

Pickling

Pickling is a method of preserving food by placing it or cooking it in a substance that inhibits or kills

bacteria and other micro-organisms. This material must also be fit for human consumption. Typical

pickling agents include brine (high in salt), vinegar, ethanol, and vegetable oil, especially olive oil but also

many other oils. Most pickling processes also involve heating or boiling so that the food being preserved

becomes saturated with the pickling agent. Frequently pickled items include vegetables such as cabbage

(to make sauerkraut and curtido), peppers, and some animal products such as corned beef and eggs.

EDTA may also be added to chelate calcium. Calcium is essential for bacterial growth.


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Lye

Sodium hydroxide (lye)makes food too alkaline for bacterial growth. Lye will saponify fats in the food,

which will change its flavor and texture. Lutefisk and hominy use lye in their preparation, as do some

olive recipes.

Canning and Bottling

Canning involves cooking fruits or vegetables, sealing them in sterile cans or jars, and boiling the

containers to kill or weaken any remaining bacteria as a form of pasteurization. Various foods have

varying degrees of natural protection against spoilage and may require that the final step occur in a

pressure cooker. High-acid fruits like strawberries require no preservatives to can and only a short

boiling cycle, whereas marginal fruits such as tomatoes require longer boiling and addition of other

acidic elements. Many vegetables require pressure canning. Food preserved by canning or bottling is at

immediate risk of spoilage once the can or bottle has been opened.

Jellying

Food may be preserved by cooking in a material that solidifies to form a gel. Such materials include

gelatine, agar, maize flour and arrowroot flour. Some foods naturally form a protein gel when cookedsuch as eels and elvers, and sipunculid worms which are a delicacy in the town of Xiamen in Fujian

province of the People's Republic of China. Jellied eels are a delicacy in the East End of London where

they are eaten with mashed potatoes. Potted meats in aspic, (a gel made from gelatine and clarified

meat broth) were a common way of serving meat off-cuts in the UK until the 1950s

Meat can be preserved by jugging, the process of stewing the meat (commonly game or fish) in a

covered earthenware jug or casserole. The animal to be jugged is usually cut into pieces, placed into a

tightly-sealed jug with brine or gravy, and stewed. Red wine and/or the animal's own blood is

sometimes added to the cooking liquid.

IrradiationIrradiation of food is the processing of food with ionizing radiation; either high-energy electrons or X-

rays from accelerators, or by gamma rays. The treatment has a range of effects, including killing

bacteria, molds and insect pests, reducing the ripening and spoiling of fruits, and at higher doses

inducing sterility. The technology may be compared to pasteurization; it is sometimes called 'cold

pasteurization', as the product is not heated. Irradiation is not effective against viruses or prions, and is

only useful for food of high initial quality.

Modified atmosphere

Modified atmosphere is a way to preserve food operating on the atmosphere around it. Salad crops

which are notoriously difficult to preserve are now being packaged in sealed bags with an atmosphere

modified to reduce the oxygen concentration and increase the carbon dioxide concentration. There is

concern that although salad vegetables retain their appearance and texture in such conditions, this

method of preservation may not retain nutrients, especially vitamins.

Clamps

Many root vegetables are very resistant to spoilage and require no other preservation other than

storage in cool dark conditions, usually in field clamps.


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Biological processes

Some foods, such as many traditional cheeses, will keep for a long time without use of any special

procedures. The preservation occurs because of the presence in very high numbers of beneficial bacteria

or fungi which use their own biological defense to prevent other organisms gaining a foot-hold.

Fresherized process

An ultra-high pressure food preservation technique using water pressure of approximately 50-100,000

pounds per square inch, equivalent to 3-6 times the pressure found at the bottom of the ocean. A kind

of cold pasteurization, the pressure kills naturally occurring pathogens, which cause food

deterioration and affect food safety.

Fresherized food is different than other methods of food preservation which use heat pasteurization

and chemical additives. The taste, texture and naturally occurring vitamins are equal to freshly made

food. In addition, the amount of energy used for fresherized foods is relatively low, compared to food

preservation methods that require heat.

Benefits of food packaging

- improved protection for the food and an increased shelf-life,

- better quality products reaching the consumer,

- more attractive products to compete with other manufacturers,

- easily identifiable products for consumers to select from retail shops,

- sometimes re-usable containers,

- tamperproof packages reduce the risk of adulteration,

- making foods more easily handled and stored by retailers and consumers,

- increased production output as a longer shelf-life enables a larger market to be found and year roundproduction possible.

Costs of food packaging

- changes to existing production facilities and processing techniques

- purchase of equipment and costs of depreciation

- additional working capital required

- additional labour required

- higher operating costs, including the cost of packaging materials


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Packaging Industry in India

All major industries create wealth but if there is one industry that plays a unique role by way of

both creation of wealth through a wide range of manufacturing activities and also by way of

preserving the wealth or value created by many, many other industries, it is packaging.

Apart from the huge value addition and employment involved in these activities, packaging hasserved the Indian economy by helping preservation of the quality and lengthening the shelf life

of innumerable products - ranging from milk and biscuits, to drugs and medicines, processed

and semi-processed foods, fruits and vegetables, edible oils, electronic goods etc., besides

domestic appliances and industrial machinery and other hardware needing transportation.

With water becoming a consumer product, polymer material-based bottles are becoming a

universal presence.

Packaging, as distinct from mere packing, plays its most visible and catalytic role in a

modern economy with the widespread adoption of branding of products and development of

consumer preferences. To the extent that any consumer product is packaged in a manner that

meets the criteria of safety, convenience and attractiveness, it gains market share. In the

aggregate, packaging as a sectoral activity boosts consumption and economic growth.

Heightened competition in all product sectors within the country as also the increasing need to

look for export markets have contributed to the rising demand for appropriate, and at the same

time cost-effective, packaging material and technologies.

The packaging industrys growth has led to greater specialization and sophistication from the

point of view of health (in the case of packaged foods and medicines) and environment

friendliness of packing material. The demands on the packaging industry are challenging, given

the increasing environmental awareness among communities.

The World Packaging Organisation s (WPO) slogan, Better Quality of Life Through Better

Packaging, sumps up the important place that packaging occupies in a modern economy. To

ensure that public appreciation of this role and the policy-makers support to the industry are

not diluted, attention should be paid to basic issues like collection, segregation and reuse of

synthetic packaging material and observation of regulatory requirements

Packaging in India in 2001

Today, packaging is produced more quickly and efficiently. It is generally lighter in weight, uses less

material, is easier to open, dispense from, reseal, store, and dispose. Packaging has evolved from a

relatively small range of heavy, rigid containers made of wood, glass, and steel, to a broad array of rigid,

semi rigid and flexible packaging options increasingly made from specialized lightweight materials.

Flexible Packaging

Flexible packaging consists of multi-layer laminated sheets of plastics (PVC, LDPE, HDPE, BOPP, BOPET),

paper, cloth, or metal foils that are used separately or in combination for various packaging applications.

However, this article discusses flexible packaging as laminates of plastics that have a unique set ofproperties that ensure toughness, moisture resistance, aroma retention, gloss, grease resistance, heat

sealability, printability, low odour and taste. These find use in packaging food, tea, coffee, spices,

chewing tobacco, bakery, confectionary, oils, and in certain other non-food applications such as

household detergents, health and personal care, soaps, and shampoos.


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Flexible Packaging Demand in India and Worldwide

World demand for converted flexible packaging will grow at more than 4 per cent per year through 2005

to nearly 14 million metric tons, with a value exceeding US$ 50 billion. The best gains are expected in

the worlds emerging markets, including Eastern Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Middle East. India

holds largely untapped markets with a potential of double digit market growth. The flexible packaging

industry in India is currently estimated to be US$ 1 billion and records a high growth rate of

approximately 20 per cent.

The expansion of the Indian flex-pack market has accelerated due to :

A growing middle class of over 300 million. The conversion of the more traditional rigid packaging into flexible forms. A favourable government tax structure. Excise duty that was once 24% has been reduced to

16%.

Liberalization of the Indian economy since 1991. Globalization and the influx of multinational companies. Modern plants and equipment available to the flexible packaging industry.

Considering these factors it is only obvious that flexible packaging has a very bright future in India and is

here to stay and grow in a big way.

The major Indian players in flexible packaging

The Indian packaging industry is a combination of organized large Indian and International companies

and the unorganised small and medium local companies. The organized sector of the industry may be

less than 5 per cent of the companies in the overall industry but it nevertheless controls over 70 per

cent of the market by volume. The organized sector operates in the laminated product segment such as

form-fill-seal pouches, Tetrapacks, and lamitubes.

Converted Flexible Packaging DemandItem 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

Converted Flexible

Packaging Demand63 153 295 595 1125

By Material

Polyethylene19 54 100 190 340

Polypropylene 5 20 60 160 360

Other Plastics 19 35 60 105 175

By Market

Nonfood16 39 74 146 270

Paper and Foil 20 44 75 140 250

Food 47 114 221 449 855

There are around 13,000 converters in India a majority in the small and medium sector located in all

parts of the country. It is estimated that there are more than 200 flex-pack (flexible packaging)

converters in India 50 units in the organized sector constituting 40 per cent of the Indian flexible

packaging industry and about 150 in the unorganized sector that make up the remaining 60%. Most


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small operations have processing capacities of less than 250 tons a month and produce overwraps,

coextrusion films, and polysacs.At least ten flex-pack converters process more than 4,000 T/annum and

are on par with leading international operations. These larger Indian flexible packaging companies

include

Flex Industries Limited Paper Products Limited (Huhtamaki Group) Positive Packaging Multiflex Paharpur Industries Limited

Demand in India

The current demand for flexible packaging in India, stands at about 500,000 tons.

Consumption of Flexible Packaging India in Comparison to the Rest of the World

According to industry experts, annual flexible packaging consumption per capita in various parts of the

world is roughly as follows:

N. America : US$45 Japan : US$31 W.Europe : US$25 S.Korea : US$15 Thailand : US$3 China : US$2 India : US$1

It is also observed that a mere 20 per cent of the population in India consumes 80 per cent of the

packaged production whereas the remaining 80 per cent of the population have an access to only 20 per

cent of the packaged production. There exists an exceptional gap in India between the necessary andactual demand for packaging of essential commodities and this is one of the major reasons why the

growth of flexible packaging is not an alternative here but is rather an imperative.

Major Segments

The consumer market dominates the global packaging industry and accounts for an estimated 70 per

cent of sales, with industrial applications taking the remaining 30 per cent of the share. The food

industry is the single largest end-user market, valued at around US$ 145 billion, followed by the

beverage industry at approximately US $75 billion.

A high degree of potential exists for almost all user segments in India which are expanding appreciably:

Processed Foods Mouth Fresheners (pan masala) Beverages Confectionary Bakery Products Spices Edible Oils Soaps and Detergents


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Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Cosmetics and Personal Care Chemicals and Fertilizers Office Stationary Engineering Products Tattoos

According to Freedonia, food and agricultural markets dominate the sales of converted flexible

packaging in India and will continue to expand on account of several factors rising consumption of

packaged foodstuff; the increasing presence of multinational food and beverage firms in India; the trend

towards additional processing of food grains and fresh produce; ongoing efforts to improve sanitation

and food safety.

Key markets include rice, other grains, food crops, various processed foods, and chewing tobacco.

Personal care products such as cosmetics and toiletries are also important with fast growing Indian

markets. Growth is seen in the pharmaceutical sector also due to expanding penetration of a large drug-

producing industry.

The Indian processed food industry stands at about US$ 30 billion and accounts for about 13 per cent of

the countrys exports and involves 6 per cent of the total industrial investment in the country. Of this

packaged food stands close to only about US$ 0.85 billion. Thus there is a tremendous potential for

growth of flexible packaging in the food and processed food sectors.

In 1999-2000, the total production of rice in India was 90 million tons. If even 5 per cent of the rice

produced were to be packaged it would alone generate a demand for 75000 tons of flexible packaging

material.

The total wheat production in India was 75 million tons. Even if 7 per cent of it were to be packaged it

would create a demand for 90000 tons of flexible packaging material. The total sugar produced in Indiawas 24.84 million tons. If 5 per cent of this was to be packaged it would alone generate a demand for

50000 tons of laminates. The total salt produced in India was 5 million tons. Packing 25 per cent of this

quantity would generate a demand of 150,000 tons of flexible packaging. This clearly shows the

tremendous potential for the growth of flexible packaging in India.

Flexible packaging materials in India

Going by the available data, an estimated 250,000 tons of flexible packaging materials for retail sales in

the form of laminates and co-extruded films were consumed in India last year to pack a very large

spectrum of products covering processed and convenience foods, fruit juice, beverages, dry and malted

products, spices, tea, coffee, edible oils, toiletries, cosmetics, motor oils, and other products. Almost all

the raw materials required in flexible packaging such as BOPP, PET, PE granules, aluminium foil,

adhesives, and printing inks are made in India. These inputs are of international quality and are exported

worldwide.


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Packaging Equipment Manufactured in India

India makes most of the equipment needed by the converting industry, including rotogravure printing

presses, laminators, slitters, and pouching machines. A full range of semi-automatic to fully automated

filling, sealing and wrapping machines is manufactured in India. These machines are of high quality and

are very competitive in price and are exported in a big way to developed countries as well. There are

some 600 to 700 packaging machine manufacturers, 95% of which are in small and medium sector and

located all over the country.

The Indian market for food packaging equipment amounts to about US$ 80 million. Currently, a mere 2

per cent of Indias food production is being processed, and there are plans in place to increase the food

processing level to 10 per cent over a period of ten years thereby increasing the demand for packaging

equipment manifold. Another sector with a large demand for packaging machinery is the Indian

cosmetic packaging segment that is expected to grow at a rate of over 20 per cent in the next few years.

The flexible packaging industry has a very crucial role to play in the lives of the ordinary people of India

and thus has a great future here. Every broad industry or agricultural sector that consumes flexible

packaging has its own unique and dynamic set of requirements. The huge possibilities latent in each ofthese sectors have to be defined and cultivated. India is indeed a dynamic, developing and demanding

market and most of its potential has not yet been identified, leave apart conquered or covered. As new

aspects of this market and its consumers behaviours are defined and chalked out everyday, the need

for new solutions unique to the Indian market emerge.

Packaging industry serves the following purposes in India:

1. Containment: Most products must be contained before they can be moved from one place to

another. To function successfully, the package must contain the product. This containment

function of packaging makes a huge contribution to protecting the environment. Faulty

packaging (or under packaging) can lead to spillages and result in major losses and serious

damage.

2. Protection and Preservation: Packaging plays a vital role in protecting products as they go

from the manufacturer to the consumer. Packaging is designed to ensure that the product

reaches the consumer in good condition. The product is protected during transport and

distribution; from climatic effects (heat and cold, moisture, vapour, drying atmospheres); from

hazardous substances and contaminants; from infestation.

3. Supplementary Product Protection: Packaging can also provide supplementary product

protection. This may be achieved by forms of cushioning such as shredded papers, sheets of

corrugated paperboard, foamed plastic or wrappings. Packaging therefore contributes to food

safety, quality and nutrition. Packaging technology has made major contributions to advancing

food science and food safety and reduction of food spoilage.

4. Communication: A package must protect what it sells and sell what it protects. Modern


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methods of consumer marketing would fail were it not for the messages communicated on the

package. The information provided on packaging allows the consumer to make informed

decisions on the products purchase and use.

5. Convenience: Packaging plays an important role in allowing products to respond to the

demands and needs of modern consumers. Frozen food packs, microwavable containers, wine

cardboard casks, easy-open beverage and food cans and aseptic cartons are good examples of

convenience packaging. These types of packaging reflect the demand for convenience and quick

food preparation in a way that guarantees freshness.

Lightweight medical devices are packaged in peel-open, pre-sterilised containers designed for

easy use in operating rooms, patients' rooms, or laboratories. In the administration of drugs,

unit-dose packaging, solid and liquid, in small containers allows sealed, unused drugs to be

returned to stock. Medical packaging also reduces the risk of accidental overdose or improper

use by children (child resistant closures).

6. Environmental Aspects: Packaging reduces the amount of waste going to landfill. Without

the benefit of packaging to preserve food, a higher proportion of food would become spoiledand consequently consigned to garbage collection for land disposal.

When the food is packaged, the unwanted portions such as skins, outer leaves and trimmings,

remain at the processing point where they can be economically recovered and used in the

manufacture of valuable by-products.

7. Reduction of Pilferage: Packaging of a wide variety of products sold from self-service

counters is designed to reduce stealing. The product may be sold in a blister package sealed to a

large paperboard backing. The large card makes the package more difficult to conceal and steal.

Other examples of security packages are lock-on caps and tamperproof closures.

8. Marketing Trends: Marketing trends are placing increasing emphasis on the look, salesappeal and quality of retail packaging. Packaging helps sell products by providing product

differentiation and presentation, greater brand awareness and convenience. The continuously

changing demands of consumers will require higher quality graphics and promotional links

between graphics and advertising to support brand identities, plus the ability to reflect current

consumer trends and images.


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Factors Affecting Growth of Packaging Industry in India

1. Urbanization

Modern technology is now an integral part of nation's society today with high-end package

usage increasing rapidly. As consumerism is rising, rural India is also slowly changing into

more of an urban society. The liberalization of the Indian economy, coupled with globalisationand the influx of the multi-nationals, has improved the quality of all types of primary and

secondary packaging. Also industrialization and expected emergence of the organized retail

industry is fuelling the growth of packaging industry.

2. Increasing Health Consciousness

As people are becoming more health conscious, there is a growing trend towards wellpacked,

branded products rather than the loose and unpackaged formats. Today even a common man is

conscious about the food intake he consumes in day-to-day life.

3. Low Purchasing Power resulting in Purchase of Small Packets

India being a growing country, purchasing power capacity of Indian consumers is lower; the

consumer goods come in small, affordable packages. Apart from the normal products packed in

flexible packaging, the use of flexible in India includes some novel applications not usually seen

in the developed world. Products like toothpaste, toothpowder, and fairness creams in

laminated pouches are highly innovative and are not used elsewhere. Another typical example

of such applications is tobacco and betel nut-based intoxicants and mouth fresheners catering to

unique Indian taste.

4. Indian Economy Experiencing Good Growth Prospects

The Indian economy is growing at a promising rate, with growth of outputs in agriculture,

industry and tertiary sectors. Overall economic growth has proved to be beneficial for the

consumer goods market, with more and more products becoming affordable to a larger section

of the population.

5. Changing Food Habits amongst Indians

Changing lifestyles and lesser time to spend in kitchens are resulting in more incidence of

eating away from homes resulting in explosive growth of restaurants and fast food outlets all

over the country. Indians are trying out newer cuisines and also purchasing similar food items

for their homes. Therefore, the review period has seen new products like pasta, soups, and

noodles being launched in India, fuelling the growth of packaging industry in India.

6. Personal health consciousness amongst Indians:

With growing awareness towards contagious diseases like AIDS and other STDs, awareness

towards usage of contraceptives and disposables syringes have increased the demand forpackaging required for the same.

7. Rural Marketing Pushing Demand for Sachets

India comprises of a big rural market and there has been growing focus on rural marketing,

whereby manufacturers are introducing low-priced goods in smaller pack sizes. Low priced

sachets have proved to be extremely popular in smaller towns and villages, where people do

not prefer to buy larger packs due to financial constraints

Documents

Packaging of Food Items