Food packaging plays a vital role in preserving edibles throughout the entire distribution chain. If that is not proper, processing of food can become compromised as it can contaminate by direct contact with physical and chemical ingredients used.
Due to people’s hectic schedules in this busy world, the trend of food consumption has gone from freshly eaten wholesome food to packaged, well balanced food which needs to look fresh and has all the nutrients like freshly served.
Many new machines and materials of packaging have not only increased the shelf life of foods, but also their safety and quality. This brings convenience and trust to the customers to have or buy packaged food. Advanced techniques of food processing and packaging have played a primary role in keeping the entire process of food supply safe.
Proper packaging maintains the benefit of food processing enabling food to travel safely for long distances from their point of origin and still be fresh and wholesome at the time of consumption. The principal role of packaging is to protect the food products from outside influence and damage for maximum consumer satisfaction and minimum environmental impact.
Currently, food packaging industry is booming because of the requirement of food-on-the-go. The global packaging industry is expected to grow to $820 billion by 2016. The Indian packaging industry, growing at roughly15% annually, is estimated to become the fourth-largest in the world, with revenues of $43.7 billion in 2016, says a recent market research report. In a competitive world, packaging design and construction play a significant role in increasing revenues for any hotel industry, mostly in ready-to-eat food like salads, sandwiches, desserts, pasta and beverages.
Food Packaging Materials
Materials that have been traditionally used for food packing are glass, aluminium, silver foils, tins, paper, paper boards and plastic. A wider variety is used in both rigid and flexible forms. Whenever customers look at consuming ready-to-eat food, they ideally prefer packaging that is neat, clean, attractive and easy-to-use with an aesthetic feel. In fact, food packaging has become the 5th ‘P’ when it comes to marketing the product.
The hotel industry especially, is well-evolved in taking packaged food to different levels and for multiple purposes—be it food for deli, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, snacks and others. Packaging also differs according to festivals, celebrations and themes.
Consumers are often left amazed with the innovations which come through in packaging but are also at times fooled by the creativity of it all, and are willing to pay more than what he would have paid for, if it was served fresh.
These days everyone is pitching for a green environment and most of the packaging is done using paper boards that ensure food safety. The only disadvantage of paper is that it does not help control the temperature of the product unlike aluminium foil or aluminium boxes which help in keeping the food warm for some time.
Tins
These are widely used in packaging when it is done in the factory and it needs a lot of investment. So, canned products have maximum shelf life as they prevent the food from being in contact with oxygen. However, a little bit of damage to the tins can spoil the product due to cracks or dents. Also, corrosion is critical for canned products and they are required to be kept in a cool and dry place so that they do not rust.
Aluminium foil
It is available in a wide range of thickness. Most of the times, firmer foils are used for food and thick foils are used for trays. Aluminium also helps to maintain the product temperature compared to the paper. It is an excellent barrier to moisture, air, odour, light and microorganisms.
Glass
It is commonly used for packaging where it does not need too much of transportation and the product need not be finished at one go as it can be kept and stored in the refrigerator even after opening the original packaging. Glass does not emit any odour of its own. It is considered neutral and helps in showcasing the product due to its transparency, thus attracting more consumers.
Plastics
Due to easy availability and mouldable property, they are used widely and it is always advisable to use food grade plastic packaging that does not contaminate the product inside.
As a business hotel, Courtyard by Marriott caters to guests from across the world who have varied food requirements. We keep ourselves well-prepared for this demand. Food and beverage is where the hotel needs to gain its reputation apart from well-maintained rooms which is a necessity in every hotel property. This is what differentiates one from the other and the food and beverage department are required to come up with a lot of innovative ideas to pack food if the attention of guests need to be attracted effectively.
We have succeeded in looking into all these aspects at Courtyard by Marriott. It is very important for us to generate trust and a feeling of safety in the minds of guests, so they may have their food without an iota of doubt. We get a lot of Japanese guests who are in favour of ready-to-eat food that can be had at room temperature as well.For this, we use a hard acrylic or plastic bento box to accommodate sandwiches, sushi, salads and pastries. These boxes can be kept in refrigerators or can be transported easily as they are hard and well-covered with lids.
Sandwiches are the most common items consumed at work and we have consistently used food grade plastic boxes which are transparent and can keep the product shapes intact. For hot food, we are always ready with plastic containers which can be reheated in the microwave and help the consumer to get it reheated. Same goes for desserts like mousse and delicate pastries.
Nowadays, we have started serving a full meal to guests on our premises that are packed too. In cases where the clients prefer to opt for a proper buffet during a client visit, it turns out to be expensive. Instead, packed meal boxes have slots for different dishes which are then sealed with the help of an aluminium foil. This helps in keeping the products warm for a long time and once the silver foil is removed from the top of the box, it can be microwaved again.
We use plastic food containers that we use for hot curries, biryani among others. These are transported to the client location inside paper boxes. These containers also help to keep the hot food warm for some time and can be heated using a microwave.
Packaging also involves an essential branding activity for us as we take pride in what we serve and want everyone to know what we do best. At Courtyard by Marriott, we have our own branded paper boxes that are designed in-house for transporting the ready-to-eat food.
Being into the hotel industry, we know that food packaging has to be given the same importance as that to food ingredients as the packaging material is in direct contact with the food. Protecting consumer health and ensuring food safety should be the ultimate aim of the entire food packaging chain.
Food Packaging Trends 2016
Today, design's role is as much about discovering and articulating what is important as it is about shape and structure. Packaging designers must now be experienced designers, directing the customer through the storm to a singular experience—because experiences are what today's customers are after.
The designs of this year focus on shareability. Packaging is no longer simply about packaging the object—it is about the unboxing experience and art directing. This too explains the shift towards basic design: large text spelling simple and straightforward messages, basic shapes making patterns in primary colours. Designers realise that packages are now billboard-like advertisements to be featured in photos and shared across social platforms. Thus, the benefit of a simple clear message stated in large bold letters gets repeated with every new viewer.
Keeping design as simple as possible to break the clutter of over-communication, adding geometrical patterns in monochrome shades, creating ornate old fashioned designs comprising calligraphy and retro colours that reminds one of the earlier slow life and increasing the shelf-life of packaging product such that it is displayed proudly in the house rather than being disposed off are few key trends in the food
packaging industry that will do the rounds. Food packaging industry will veer towards innovativeness not only in the quality of the packaging material but also in its presentation and designing.
The entire food processing chain ultimately needs to focus on innovation and collaborations within the industry to ensure that food safety is maintained and end-customers get the best quality product. Hotels too will have to come up with interesting changes in operations that would ensure aesthetic designs, safe packaging and quality delivery of the packaged food to the guests.
