The decision-makers at packaged food, beverage, or supplement companies should regularly reevaluate production protection and shelf life for products. Market developments, ingredient changes, customer feedback, or the results of shelf-life testing could make updating product packaging a priority. Find out why your consumer packaged goods company should try to re-evaluate production protection and shelf life every year.
Making Sure You Are Up To Date With Packaging Solutions
The packaging market is always changing, especially with the emergence of new options for high-barrier films and sustainable materials. A yearly reassessment of the rationale for the materials and designs of custom packaging bags or pouches can ensure that the presentation of products is both functional and appealing.
If a particular packaging material has become more popular, it can be worthwhile to consider whether its properties are suitable for your products. An annual reevaluation is also an opportunity to analyze pricing trends and make sure that the films you are using are still a good fit for your operational budget in addition to providing protective features and preserving freshness.
Making Sure You Get the Most Out of Your Packaging
A yearly reassessment is also a good opportunity to act on customer feedback or the results of shelf-life testing. If consumers have requested resealable closures on flexible packaging, you can consult with a packaging partner about implementing this change.
CPG brands can pursue a variety of approaches to shelf life testing. Some accelerated aging tests attempt to simulate the effects of environmental factors, while long-term testing can take months or years. An annual re-evaluation is a good time to act on the findings from any extended assessments.
Accounting for Changes in Ingredients
There are several reasons why ingredients in food products can be subject to change. If your company switches suppliers or uses agricultural products that are sensitive to environmental fluctuations, you might find that finished products have a higher or lower moisture content than before or other variances that you can account for with production protection.
If a chemical or physical analysis of your products indicates the need for different barrier materials for a stand up pouch or another style of flexible packaging, an annual re-evaluation can align with your broader production protection program and help you select packaging that allows for an optimal shelf life.
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Keeping Up To Date With a Changing Regulatory Environment
While food safety regulations do not change frequently, it is worthwhile to make sure that your product packaging meets the current requirements. These standards can also vary between countries, which can make it necessary for brands that sell products on the international market to make sure packaging complies with regulations set by multiple governing bodies.
In addition to performance, an annual re-evaluation can also be a good opportunity to update the design of product packaging. Whether you want to use different materials, add packaging features or refresh the look of packaging, an annual evaluation should cover the form and function of packaging for consumer goods.
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