must be safeguarded against rough transport and possible tampering as well as ensuring

they meet any physical, chemical or biological needs.

1. Protection against damage or contamination by micro-organisms, air, moisture and toxins
Products
2. Prevention of product spilling or leaking Packages must be tightly sealed and made
resilient to ensure the product remains uncompromised at all stages of distribution until
opened by the consumer.
3. Product Identification and Labeling Nutrition, ingredients and sell-by dates are important
not only to the consumer, but to grocery stores as well. Bar codes help stores to track
inventory and sales.
4. Marketing of Product to Consumers The integrity of the product is extremely important,
but marketing is equally essential. In addition to containing and protecting the item, the
packaging must speak to a buyer and ultimately lead to a sale. Containers that achieve the
wow factor can set any product apart from its competitors.

Because packaging plays such an important role in the preservation and marketability of a
product, many companies seek a contract packaging service to help them obtain the best
quality packaging available. Benefits to a co-manufacturer include cost, speed, quality and
innovation.
Cost: Capital costs of equipment and facilities can be enormous. Through the utilization of
a contract packaging service, startup costs are significantly reduced while energy and labor
costs are kept low.
Speed: Co-packing services can significantly reduce lead time in getting a product to
market and can ensure enough time is allowed for quality assurance and validation. State-ofthe-art equipment like continuous motion machinery produces consistent and high speed
assembly, enacting multiple processes simultaneously without interruption.
Quality and Innovation: Todays market presents countless options in packaging and
labeling needs. Co-manufacturers guarantee meeting all food specifications and
requirements. More value is added by assisting in product development. Suggestions can be
made in regards to alternative ingredients, raw materials, processes and packaging. As
product lines continue to broaden, many manufacturers are faced with the constant need to
evolve their products. Relying on contract packagers allows them to remain flexible and
respond quicker to changes in the market.
THERE ARE SIX MAIN REASONS WHY PACKAGING DEVELOPED AND IS IN USE TODAY
1. To protect a product from damage or contamination by micro-organisms
and air, moisture and toxins.
The product must be protected against being dropped, crushed, and the
vibration it suffers during transport. Delicate products such as fruits need to
be protected by a rigid package such as a laminated container.
The product most also be protected against the climate including high
temperatures, humidity, light and gases in the air.
It must also be protected against micro-organisms, chemicals, soil and
insects.
2. To keep the product together, to contain it (i.e. So that it does not spill).
Some shapes cannot be easily packaged, for example, certain vegetables.

However, there are methods of getting around this problem. Suppliers of

canned vegetables such as carrots have developed a particular type of
plant that yields carrots that are straight and smaller than the normal
variety. These fit into cans. Some products such as fruit juices and sausages
need to be contained in packages that hold them together and are sealed
to prevent spillage and loss.
3. To identify the product.
Packaging is the main way products are advertised and identified. To the
manufacturer the package clearly identifies the product inside and it is
usually the package that the customer recognises when shopping.
Advertising is very important when a manufacturer launches a new or
existing product. The package, through its colour scheme or logo, is what is
normally identified by the customer.
The package will also contain important information including ingredients
and sell by date.

4. Protection during Transport and Ease of Transport.

A package should be designed to make it easy to transport, move and
lift. A regular shaped package (such as a cuboid) can be stacked
without too much space between each package being wasted. This
means that more packages can be transported in a container of a lorry.
Unusually shaped packages can lead to space being wasted and this
can be costly if thousands of the same package are been transported.

5. Stacking and Storage.

In supermarkets and shops it must be possible to stack packages so
that space is not wasted on the shelves. Lost space on shelves is
looked up on a lost opportunity to sell to a customer. Also, the package
must be designed in such a way that all the important information can
be seen by a potential buyer, especially the product name. The next
time you visit the supermarket look carefully at the shape of the
packages. They are usually the same rectangular / cuboid shape. It is
the selection of colours and shades that determine whether the product
inside is regarded as a quality, sophisticated or cheap item. Often
packages are stacked on top and alongside each other to reduce
wasted space. The shape and form of the package determines how
efficiently they can be stacked or stored.

The Function of Packaging or Why package Produce?

A significant percentage of produce buyer and consumer complaints may be traced to
container failure because of poor design or inappropriate selection and use. A properly
designed produce container should contain, protect, and identify the produce, satisfying
everyone from grower to consumer.
PACKAGING POINTS
Recyclability/Biodegradability
A growing number of U.S. markets and many export markets have waste disposal
restrictions for packaging materials. In the near future, almost all produce packaging will be
recyclable or biodegradable, or both. Many of the largest buyers of fresh produce are also
those

most concerned about environmental issues.

Variety
The trend is toward greater use of bulk packages for processors and wholesale buyers
and smaller packages for consumers. There are now more than 1,500 different sizes and
styles
of produce packages.
Sales Appeal
High quality graphics are increasingly being used to boost sales appeal. Multi-color
printing, distinctive lettering, and logos are now common.
Shelf Life
Modern produce packaging can be custom engineered for each commodity to extend
shelf life and reduce waste.
Containment
The container must enclose the produce in convenient units for handling and distribution.
The produce should fit well inside the container, with little wasted space. Small produce
items
that are spherical or oblong (such as potatoes, onions, and apples) may be packaged
efficiently
utilizing a variety of different package shapes and sizes. However, many produce items such
as
asparagus, berries, or soft fruit may require containers specially designed for that item.
packages of produce commonly handled by hand are usually limited to 50 pounds. Bulk
packages moved by fork lifts may weigh as much as 1,200 pounds.
Protection
The package must protect the produce from mechanical damage and poor
environmental conditions during handling and distribution. To produce buyers, torn, dented,
or
collapsed produce packages usually indicate lack of care in handling the contents. Produce
containers must be sturdy enough to resist damage during packaging, storage, and
transportation to market. Because almost all produce packages are palletized, produce
containers should have sufficient stacking strength to resist crushing in a low temperature,
high
humidity environment. Although the cost of packaging materials has escalated sharply in
recent
years, poor quality, lightweight containers that are easily damaged by handling or moisture
are
no longer tolerated by packers or buyers. Produce destined for export markets requires that
containers to be extra sturdy. Air-freighted produce may require special packing, package
sizes,
and insulation. Marketers who export fresh produce should consult with freight companies
about
any special packaging requirements. Additionally, the USDA and various state export
agencies
may be able to provide specific packaging information.
Damage resulting from poor environmental control during handling and transit is one of
the leading causes of rejected produce and low buyer and consumer satisfaction. Each fresh
fruit and vegetable commodity has its own requirements for temperature, humidity, and
environmental gas composition. Produce containers should be produce friendly - helping to
maintain an optimum environment for the longest shelf life. This may include special
materials to
slow the loss of water from the produce, insulation materials to keep out the heat, or
engineered
plastic liners that maintain a favorable mix of oxygen and carbon dioxide