The food and beverages industry is one of the oldest and widespread industries in the world. Considering how it is responsible for providing the basic need of every single human being alive, it is one of the largest and fastest growing manufacturing areasin the world. Production titans like PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Nestle, Unilever, Dacono, JBS etc., have all capitalized on the unending and ever growing demand of food. Therefore, in order to meet ever increasing levels of demand, and to update the production process, innovation and greater use of technology was vital. For this purpose, food and drinks companies use very large, state of the art factories to produce huge quantities of food.

Other than that, the farmers that grow food, are employing more and more technology in order to increase yield. Scientists are working nonstop to support the industry, by inventing new machines to mass produce food, and to ensure sustainable utilization of resources. Some examples of the new technology in the industry include genetically modified crops, modern agricultural machinery and completely mechanized production chains in the factories have ensured that supply is at par with demand. However, an overall view we can take of the situation is regarding how eatables and the industry that produces them is becoming more and more advanced and technologically developed.

Need For Innovation In Packaging

We have established that edibles are being produced. But they are not being consumed at the same rate. This has made the need for effective packaging necessary. And since foodstuff is perishable, we need to wrap it so that it is protected from the environment; sunlight, water, bacteria, and all other factors that destroy it. For this purpose continued innovation has been required in the packing industry to keep pace with the cuisine manufacturing. If the packaging is not up to the standard, then it will be useless to store food in it. This is why companies spend tons of time, money and effort, coming up with better and better wrapping. Designs like custom die cut boxes, box with handles, or custom food packaging, they all are examples of innovation. 

Importance of Packaging

There are three main roles played by the food packaging. Firstly, it protects the commodity, preventing biological, physical and chemical damage from the environment, spoiling it. It gives the product a much larger shelf life that allows it to be consumed even months after production. It helps in the marketing of the product. Boxes with design are the key to increased sales, serving as an efficient method of branding and pricing a product. It helps the food items to be transported to markets over long distances, enhancing sales. Wrapping up the commodity helps in easier transportation as well.

Examples of New Tech in Food Packaging

Edible packaging

catering to concerns about wastage, companies have introduced waste free products. We will eat the food, as well as the wrapping. Just like an apple, the whole item will be edible. For example, the butter paper used in single cupcake packaging, is now being modified such that it can be consumed along with the cake. 

Flow-through Sortation

it is a system through which the product will be arranged and packed via an automated storage and retrieval system. It will keep the items stocked properly and in order. From a packaging point of view, it is important that the correct batches be packaged. This will allow that to happen at a quicker pace, with more efficiency.

Smart packing

The idea is that the packaging will tell the consumer whether or not is it good to eat, and even give them instructions about how to cook it, or store it etc. this will help in saving labelling costs.

Oxygen absorbing tech

This will help the food to be preserved after the packet has been opened. It will allow consumers to eat the same item after some time, rather than having to throw it away if they do not want to eat all of it. It is also used to keep edibles fresher and prolongs their shelf life infinitely, just like freeze dried packaging, which is another example of innovation being used on a large scale, to prevent wastage of food.

Barriers coatings for packaging: 

they prevent entry of light, water, outside air, odors etc. into the eatable. However the advantage is that it is super light, recyclable, and biodegradable and protects against harmful UV rays.