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Saturday, January 16, 2010

FOOD PACKAGING-BOOM TIME AHEAD?


Packaging of a food is necessitated by the need for the contents to be preserved for sufficient time till it is delivered to the consumer. While functional packaging will ensure the quality, design of the packs serves to attract the consumers while they are on the market shelves. The choice of packaging material and the design of the pack will depend on the product price. Higher the value of the content, more room is available for the manufacturer to use expensive packing mode. From the simple poly ethylene pouches that were common 4-5 decades ago, the industry has graduated to more complex packaging systems involving multi layer laminates with sophisticated printing, performing as well as solid packaging materials like metal and glass. According to some projections, food packaging in India is slated for unparalleled innovative achievements in the coming years.

"Demographic and food consumption changes in Indian society means that consumers are turning in increasing numbers to packaged and ready-to-eat foods. The group said a recent analysis had revealed the emergence of four major trends driving packaging innovation in the sub-continent: convenience of usage, freshness and improved shelf life, sustainability, and packaging as a tool to position and promote the brand".

The "small pouch" revolution that has been in the making during the last few years made it possible for practically any product costing as high as Rs 300 per kg to be within the reach of low income population. The retail shops in the informal sector offer at least two dozen products in the price range Re1 to Rs 10 per unit, sufficient for consumption by one or two. These pouches are mostly made out of laminates of metalized polyester and polyethylene available in the country with dependable performance in terms of gas and water permeability. With the Rs 1 lakh crore (1000 billion) investment in food industry envisaged by GOI during the next few years, packaging industry is indeed heading for a boom time.
V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

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