Have you ever bought a product just because it looked pretty? It is okay if you have, many of us do! How items appear at the point of purchase is a compelling factor that drives customers’ attention and bewitches them into purchasing. Food product packaging is no exception, which is why manufacturing companies and manufacturers have become increasingly creative as they look for captivating methods to showcase their food items.

In this post, you will unravel the latest trends in food product packaging in the food marketplace; unpack the principles, and how these make your products stand out.

WHAT IS FOOD PRODUCT PACKAGING?

Food product packaging refers to the materials, design, and presentation used for encasing and presenting food products for distribution, sale, and consumption. It protects the product against contamination and preserves its freshness while conveying important information such as use instructions, nutritional details, and branding. Compelling packaging improves visual appeal and distinguishes the product in the competitive industry while showcasing the brand’s values. With sustainability gaining importance in today’s age, packaging considers eco-friendly materials and designs that lower environmental impact, ensuring product safety.

WHAT ARE KEY TRENDS FOR FOOD PRODUCT PACKAGING?

With technology advancing almost every day and constantly evolving customer preferences, there has been a rise in popular trends in food product packaging. Listed below are key trends you should know:

1.THINK GREEN, GO GREEN: Sustainability is the primary and popular trend to consider. “Thinking Green” should be your top priority since, nowadays, more and more customers are becoming environmentally conscious, which makes recyclable packaging a place to start. Therefore, consumers are searching for more – this means companies need to remain a step ahead to provide eco-friendly packaging with smaller carbon footprints. Try using minimal plastic materials, compostable items, or a production environment that ensures low waste levels.

2.ADAPTATION OF DURABLE CORE ITEMS: Better consumption of core shelf-stable food products such as canned or packaged food from the years of the pandemic is here to stay. Brands are digging deep to uncover advanced product formulations and packaging formats. Customer preferences and tendencies are shifting as our world incessantly evolves into the post-coronavirus environment. Food manufacturing companies must remain focused on core items while remaining flexible. Adapting to durable product packaging that extends the content’s life span is essential.

3.KEEP IT SIMPLE & SMALL: With a growth in demand for products created with practical and simple designs, packaging companies are using a minimalist approach. Keeping food items’ packaging and portion smaller yet simple is advised. Ensure the information given is readable and keep it as clean as possible; with that, ensure that you add a small portion of content since customers nowadays are aware of food wastage.

4.Frozen Goods: Over the past few years, frozen gourmets have undergone a major transformation in recipes and ingredients. They target customers who value quality and ready-made food. With convenience, taste, and time-saving factors popular nowadays, high-end gourmet food brands have increased the number of options for frozen and single portions, in other words, called “ready-to-eat meals”.

5.FRESH FOR LONG: More and more customers are looking for food that is delicious and can be served quickly, but it must taste, look, and feel fresh. This results in companies investing and developing high-quality ingredients and packaging options that ensure extended shelf life without degrading or compromising the meal’s freshness and flavor appeal. Nowadays, customers prefer food that features top-notch packaging that can extend content life, taste, and whatnot.

WHAT ARE THE PRINCIPLES OF GOOD FOOD PACKAGING DESIGN?

If you are planning to drive customers, convey essential information, and ensure the freshness of the product, consider effective food product packaging. Listed below are five principles of good food packaging:

Aesthetic Appeal: Captivating packaging design is paramount to driving customers’ attention in a crowded and competitive market. Play around with a pleasant color palette, interesting but easy-to-read typography, and engaging graphics that fit right with the product’s brand value and target audience. Craft an emotion-evoking design that showcases the brand’s essence – it could be premium, green, playful, or health-conscious.

Clear Communication: Packaging must convey essential information clearly and quickly; this includes product name, description, key features, allergen warnings, nutritional information, and usage instructions. Legible fonts and the right order ensure that essential details are accessible to consumers.

Convenience & Functionality: A well-planned and designed packaging should be easy to handle, open, and store. It is advised to consider all the modern ergonomics of the packaging – ensure it is easy to grip, access, and pour. Don’t forget to add functional features like tear notches, resealable zippers, and portion control mechanisms that improve convenience and preserve product freshness over time.

Sustainability: You may come across this word a lot in this age; with more and more people becoming environmentally conscious, it is important to opt for materials that are biodegradable, recyclable, or compostable. Customers and businesses alike are taking responsibility for the environment, which makes it important to use sustainable packaging materials. Highlight your brand’s commitment to green packaging to resonate with eco-conscious customers.

Brand Consistency: Your packaging should reflect your brand’s values and identity. Ensure consistency in design elements such as logos, colors, and images across different product lines. This helps produce a cohesive brand image, which makes it easy for customers to recognize your products on the store shelves. It is important to go for unique elements while keeping its aesthetic relevant.

BONUS PRINCIPLE

Protection & Freshness: Packaging must ensure the product’s freshness and safety. Choose materials that prevent spoilage, contamination, and damage during shipping and storage. Consider incorporating features like a gas barrier, tamper-evident sealant, and UV protection to maintain a product’s quality.

WHAT ARE THE CONSIDERATIONS FOR FOOD PRODUCT PACKAGING?

There are myriad essential considerations that food manufacturers should bear in mind:

Shelf Life – Product packaging must protect the food content against oxidation, contamination, etc., extending the product’s shelf life.

Transportation – It should be designed in a manner that the product packaging withstands the rigors or disruption of shipping. This helps ensure that the product arrives at the destination intact and on time.

Customer Experience – As aforementioned, product packaging should be easy to open. Additionally, customers must experience an easy unboxing journey. The packaging should be easy to handle, store and reuse without fuss.

Affordability- Since brands need to be profitable, all considerations, such as customer experience, sustainability, and visual appeal, must be balanced in terms of packaging cost. You must avoid going overboard with designing and expenses.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF FOOD PACKAGING?

From preserving crispness and freshness to improving aesthetic appeal, listed below are five types of flexible packaging that have transformed the way we package and consume goods:

Stand-up Pouches: These pouches blend durability with convenience, which makes them ideal for grains, snacks, and beverages. The stand-up pouches feature improved shelf space, airtight sealant, and more to preserve flavors and crispness.

Retort Pouches: These are perfect for ready-to-eat meals and therefore are designed to withstand high temperatures during sterilization. They help enhance shelf life without compromising taste or nutrition, making them ideal for curries, soups, and pre-cooked products.

Flat Bottom Bags: With a stable base and appealing design, flat Bottom bags drive traction for products like coffee, tea, and pet food. Their ergonomic and aesthetical shape offers stability while advanced materials used help maintain freshness.

Zipper-Seal Bags: Resealable bags are a versatile option for a variety of food products. From snacks to frozen meals or fruits, the zip-lock feature allows customers to access the content as many times as possible while keeping them fresh and safe for consumption.

Spouted Pouches: For liquid contents like juices, sauces, and baby food, spouted pouches blend convenience with efficient pouring. The resealable cap ensures easy dispensing and preserves the content for an extended period.

END NOTE

By embracing the aforementioned tips, principles, and considerations, food manufacturing companies can create quality packaging that benefits the target customers, the environment, and the businesses. Are you planning to get new food-related resources? Do you need advanced solutions for packaged food products? Look no further than Field Packaging Solutions. We are your trusted and leading packaging manufacturing brand in the food industry; we offer top-notch solutions for your unique needs. Connect with our team today!1.