Packaging has gone through significant changes over the last decade, and with soaring costs, many consumers want to purchase products with longer shelf lives. This also saves manufacturers and distributors money because they don’t have as much waste. Products like flexible packaging film have changed the packaging landscape due to their ability to extend shelf life.
Moisture Barrier
Moisture has a significant impact on food and other products with limited shelf life, such as cosmetics. It can impact the product’s texture, appearance and condition. It may impact food taste and weight as well. Moisture also encourages bacteria and mold growth.
Therefore, to extend shelf life, you need to find ways to remove the moisture from your products.
Oxygen Absorbers
Exposure to oxygen can encourage fungi and microorganism growth. This accelerates degeneration in many products. Therefore, if you can keep the air out of the product, you can extend the shelf life.
Many of today’s films and seals prevent oxygen introduction. In addition, some packaging offers resealable zippers that allow consumers to keep excess oxygen out of their products after the product gets opened. Keeping the oxygen out keeps the food fresher for longer periods of time, both on the grocery store shelves and in consumers’ homes. When their foods last longer, customers will return to purchase more of your products.
Light and Scent Barriers
Light can impact the freshness, taste and look of your food. UV radiation can impact the chemical makeup of your products as well. It can decrease nutrition, change flavors and smells and even change the color of your food. Many packaging products have UV-resistant films or plastics to prevent light contamination.
Mylar bags, foil linings and plastic films prevent the transfer of smells from one product to another. If your product has a strong odor, you don’t want it to spread to surrounding products, especially in consumers’ homes. In addition, you don’t want odors from other, strong-smelling products, such as coffee or onions, to spread into your product.
Resealing Capabilities
When you open food products, you introduce light, oxygen and moisture to them. Food can easily dry out, become stale or grow mold or fungi after it gets opened. However, you can choose packaging that has reseal technology. Not only does the food stay fresher longer, but consumers appreciate the ability to reseal their products. The zippers available on pouch-type packaging maintain freshness if your customers cannot eat all the products at one time.
Different Types of Film
As you consider the ways to extend the shelf life of your products, investigate all the different types of films that can help you. You can choose polypropylene films for general barriers, or you can get specific and find oxygen, moisture and light barrier films. You will find antimicrobial films that prevent or kill microorganisms or antistatic films for better seals. Consider the protection your products need and choose your films for the best possible outcome.
As you consider new packaging types, you may also consider new packaging styles, such as custom stand up pouches. Learn what works best for your food products and brand so you stand out on the store shelves.
