Packaging and packaging machinery for different industries serve different purposes. As countries enact increasingly strict food safety laws, food packagers must now pay more attention to the packaging they use and how the product enters that packaging container. For any new food product, every packager must consider at least three general aspects when selecting packaging and packing machinery, not just packaging appeal.
Appeal
Regardless of the sustainability of the packaging and packaging process, food that remains on the shelf for long periods of time will be wasted. Food packagers, like packagers of any product, must consider shelf appeal. The packaging and labeling of any food product can be thought of as an introduction to the consumer. In the most general sense, the goal of any packager is to attract the attention of new consumers and get those consumers to try the product. Once in the store, packaging, and labeling provide the best opportunity to achieve these goals. Uniquely shaped containers, informational labels, or interactive packaging all provide ways to pique the interest of potential new users. However, the appeal of the product and packaging must be balanced with other factors.
Safety
Closely related to protecting the product – indeed, the reason for protecting the product – is consumer safety. Statistics show that millions of people in the United States are sickened by food-induced illnesses. By choosing packaging that does not leach chemicals or accelerates food spoilage, packagers are protecting products and consumers. Of course, packaging can also be harmful to consumers in other ways. Food manufacturers need to consider the ease of opening the package, the stability of the container, the potential for personal injury from package breakage, and other possible safety issues.
Protection
Obviously, food products have a limited shelf life. But the right packaging and the right packaging machinery can help extend shelf life and combat the failures of the product itself. For example, different packaging materials may help avoid the effects of heat or cold and temperature differences on food products. In fact, the new packaging is being developed that can actually control the temperature of the product on the shelf, thereby extending its life. Others continue to work on smart packagings, such as a container that will modify the expiration date of a food product based on the environment in which it is kept. Packaging machinery can also help protect products by extending shelf life. Food packagers may often use a nitrogen purge system between the filler and the capper or sealer. Oxygen in the food container contributes to product breakdown, which is generally responsible for the limited shelf life. A nitrogen purge system will replace the oxygen in the container with nitrogen before the container is sealed.
This replacement process extends the shelf life of the product because nitrogen does not have the same negative impact on the food as oxygen does. As an odorless, tasteless gas, nitrogen also retains the taste, color, and texture of many products. A nitrogen purge system will replace the oxygen in the container with nitrogen before the container is sealed. This replacement process extends the shelf life of the product because nitrogen does not have the same negative impact on the food as oxygen does. As an odorless, tasteless gas, nitrogen also retains the taste, color, and texture of many products. A nitrogen purge system will replace the oxygen in the container with nitrogen before the container is sealed. This replacement process extends the shelf life of the product because nitrogen does not have the same negative impact on the food as oxygen does. As an odorless, tasteless gas, nitrogen also retains the taste, color, and texture of many products.
Conclusion
In selecting packaging and packaging machinery based on the individual items, every food packager considers many items. The convenience of the packaging to the consumer, the size of the container used, and the cost of the container, lid, label, and packaging machinery or filing machinery. However, the analysis should not stop until the choices made also satisfy each of these factors. In the long run, investing in packaging and equipment selection before producing individual finished products can save time and money.
Henan Top Packing Machinery is a professional packaging services provider. We offer a complete range of food packing machines, bottle filling machines, and excellent buying guidance for packing equipment. If you are looking for your first machine, it is a good idea to contact us for a skilled guide.