5 New Food Packaging Innovations
By Isaac Fletcher, contributing writer, Food Online
Food packaging is continuously being designed and redesigned to better meet manufacturer and consumer needs. From shipping, to storage, to display, to consumption, food packaging plays an integral role in product and brand success.
In order to make sure that products have a better chance of being selected over the competition, many manufacturers are beginning to turn to new and innovative packaging designs. Successful packaging innovations not only make the product look good on the shelf, but also take into account the ways that consumers use the product in order to create a better overall experience. Additionally, with growing environmental and sustainability concerns, packaging designers are finding ways to use more environmentally-friendly materials, reduce packaging waste, and allow for more efficient shipping and stocking.
Below are five innovations that are changing the way the industry uses food packaging.
Folding Egg Cartons
Packing, shipping, and storing eggs require considerations such as temperature control and fragility of the eggs. If there is a fault in the packaging, it becomes very easy for the product to be damaged and profits to be eroded. Like traditional egg cartons, the foldable egg carton has been designed to protect the eggs during shipping and storage, but does so with far less material. The eggs are protected by thick cardboard that is cut to hold each egg, preventing the eggs from moving. When it is time for the eggs to be used, the consumer simply folds back the top portion of the carton, allowing access to the eggs that are nested in the bottom portion.
Accordion Packs For Instant Noodles
This packaging takes advantage of the fact that instant noodle products are relatively compact before water is added and the noodles are cooked. The accordion design allows the product to be as compact as possible during shipping which cuts transportation costs by making more efficient use of shipping space. The design also serves to reduce waste, since fewer packaging boxes need to be used to ship the same amount of product, when compared to traditional instant noodle packaging. Consumers reap the benefit as well, since the accordion package takes up less cabinet space.
Dissolving Food Packets
Just like dissolving detergent pods, this food packaging dissolves away when the package is introduced to water. This packaging format can be used with items such as hot chocolate mix, oatmeal, and nearly any other food that is cooked with water. A consumer simply places the packet in a bowl or cup, adds hot water, and the packaging disappears, allowing the food to be readily cooked and consumed.
Stackable, Ready-To-Drink Wine
This innovative format allows for wine to be prepackaged in individual, ready-to-drink portions. The cups of wine are also stackable, allowing for convenient transportation and storage. Since the cups are less likely to break, do not require a corkscrew, and are already individually portioned, consumers will find them to be a great solution for times when the conveniences of home aren’t readily available.
Convertible Popcorn Packaging
With its flat design and ease of cooking, popcorn may not seem like a product that requires much further innovation. However, this design allows the popcorn packaging to be converted from a heating container into a bowl with a few simple folds. This provides consumers with the same convenience as leaving the popcorn in the bag, but without the mess.