Packaging

Packaging is an important element for efficient and safe delivery of food to the consumer. In supermarkets, it is largely packaging that meets shoppers’ eyes. Indeed, without food packaging, distribution of much of the food we consume would not be possible, at least not with the current standards of safety, economy, and convenience. While safety is of utmost concern, this must be done economically. To meet all of the needs of the various food value chains, a wide variety of packaging forms have developed. Like many useful—even essential—products, packaging also has its problems.

Estimates of the global packaging vary, but on a worldwide basis, it is likely that it is as much as $750 billion annually, and the majority is for packaging food and beverages. Rough estimates of [Page 1107]the overall average cost of packaging as a percentage of the retail price of food products is often stated between 5% and 10%. Many products, however, fall outside this range, depending on the value of the product to be packaged and the protection level required.

The requirements of food packaging and the predominant types used vary among regions of the world. This is due to factors including economic conditions, technological sophistication of food processing and distribution, the nature of retail venues, climate, food preferences, and nuances such as the amount of food refrigeration capacity a family unit may typically possess. Also, government regulation may play an important role for material selection (e.g., regional regulations on recycling or materials that may contact food).