Packaging of food is very important because it protects the food from harmful effects of the external environment. It makes the food more sustainable and maintains the quality of food. It protects the food from wastage by protecting them from contamination. Also, it communicates with the costumers. Communication is done with the written text or by graphics on it. Moreover, the handling of food products becomes easy. Food loss could also be reduced because customers tend to throw the food without packaging, even if food is still usable. A slight change in colour or quality of food could destine them into the bin. So, packaging of food does not only communicate with the costumers but also slows the quality decay of food.
Food packaging is a marketing tool that can be used to attract more customers. In a future world, it would be more than a marketing tool because now people don’t want to spoil the earth and are concerned with the environmental changes. So Researchers are working hard to meet the need of the hour by giving new ideas for food packaging.
Smart Packaging
Smart food packaging is usually used to protect the food from spoilage, but what if packaging could tell you about the food quality that whether it is still usable or not. Scientists are working on “electronic tongues” which could taste the food by the sensors embedded in the packaging and tell about the food quality. If the food is spoiled and lost its quality the packaging will change its color. Similarly, some scientists are working on the development of “super sensors” will indicate about the contamination of food. It is called smart packaging because it’ll make the consumers more aware about the food quality and it’ll satisfy the customers.
It will not only fulfil the food packaging requirements such as protection, sustainability etc, it will also make you sure whether the food is usable or whether it is spoiled and you don’t have to be in doubt while using the food.
Edible Food Packaging
At present, packaging usually ends up in the bin or trash can. It is because at present the packaging is not made from edible stuff. So, people usually throw the packaging after eating the food packed inside it. But, soon will not only eat the food but the packaging as well. Scientists are working to develop edible food packaging.
This could be done by changing the food packaging template. Scientists claim that, soon, packaging couldn’t only be edible but delicious too. They are working on a technology called Wiki Cells. This idea is derived from the apple fruit. Its skin does not only protect the fruit but also edible. So, scientists are working to develop the kind of packaging, which doesn’t only protect the food but is also edible as apple’s skin. For example, they suggest, spinach membrane could be used to serve pumpkin soup or cherry membrane for melted chocolate.
In Japan, scientists have already developed edible candy wrappers. And, the scientists working on the WikiCells are affirming that in a year or two edible food packaging will be available in the market to give a new dimension to the food industry.
Micro Food Packaging
Another miracle in food packaging is microfilm. Scientists are working on microfilm which is thousands of times thinner as compare to the fibre of the human hair. It is made up of water, 70% clay particles and a soluble polymer. Although it is made from the dust, scientists affirm that it will be eco-friendly. According to them, these microfilms have comparable preservative properties of glass. They could handle a fizzy soda much better than that of any other packaging, available in the market.
Another team of scientists working on a plastic film called Durethan which protects the food from harmful effects of carbon dioxide, oxygen and moisture. Meanwhile, another nanotechnology is being developed by the scientists. They have made a plastic having embedded nanocrystals, which prevents escape of oxygen from beer bottles. This blockage of gas inside the bottle increases the shelf lifespan of beer bottles up to 18 months. Hence, it is also a very good idea for food packaging shortly.
Other Innovative Food Packaging Ideas
Although some companies have doubts regarding the involvement of nanotechnology in the packaging, some beverage companies are supporting the idea of nanotechnology and appreciate the scientists to work more on this project. So it could be employed soon.
Here are presented only three futuristic ideas of food packaging, but there are many more. For example, anti-microbial packaging which protects the food from bacteria. Self-heating self-cooling package which heats or cools the food by its own.
Another is, water-soluble packaging, which dissolves in water. Usually, the food packaging at present does not dissolve in water, but scientists are working to create the food packaging from a material which could be dissolved in water. Innovation is a key to a prosperous future and these futuristic ideas shape a new face for food packaging business.
Food Packaging Online (FPO)
Food packaging online has the reputation of Australia’s top quality food packaging provider. The war on waste is influencing both the costumers and providers to work on biodegradable materials. The material which is broken by the bacteria when exposing for a long time in the air. Food custom packaging Australia does not only provide good quality packaging, but also eco-friendly which makes customers more inclined to you. If you are in any food business, you probably need food packaging and FPO is best for you as they fulfill the requirement of people. Nowadays, people follow trends and saving the earth is a new trend. In short, FPO provides an excellent facility to expand your food business by providing environmentally friendly food packaging.
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