Packaging and Labeling

The principal functions of product packaging The main functions of labels What you’ll learn...

Packaging The physical container or wrapping for a product.

Functions of Packaging Promoting and Selling the Product

Functions of Packaging Defining Product Identity – invokes prestige, convenience, or status

Functions of Packaging Provides Information – UPC symbols, contents, guarantees, nutritional value, potential hazards

Functions of Packaging Meeting Customer Needs – various sizes, snack kits, etc.

Ensuring Safe Use – plastic instead of glass, tamper- resistant packaging, blisterpacks, childproof containers Functions of Packaging

To read about the Tylenol murders in 1982, and the resulting invention of the tamperproof package, click on the Tylenol box above.

Protecting the Product – during shipping, storage, and display. Protects food from spoilage. Helps prevent shoplifting Functions of Packaging

Contemporary Packaging Issues Aseptic Packaging – Incorporates a technology that keeps foods fresh without refrigeration for extended periods

Contemporary Packaging Issues Environmental Packaging – reusable, recyclable, less wasteful, and safer for the environment

Contemporary Packaging Issues Cause Packaging – to promote non-product issues such as social and political causes Ex: Body Shop, Ben & Jerry’s Click on the ice cream carton to learn about cause packaging at Ben and Jerry’s

Labeling A label is an information tag, wrapper, seal, or imprinted message attached to a product

A labels main function is to inform about contents and give directions

Brand Label – gives the brand name, etc.

Descriptive Label Information about product use, care, other features

Grade Label States the quality – AA, A, B

Labeling Laws Many package labels must meet federal standards a/labeti/guide/ch1e.shtmlhttp:// a/labeti/guide/ch1e.shtml Purpose of Food Labelling The food label is one of the most important and direct means of communicating product information between buyers and sellers. It is one of the primary means by which consumers differentiate between individual foods and brands to make informed purchasing choices. 1. A label serves three primary functions. It provides basic product information (including common name, list of ingredients, net quantity, durable life date, grade/quality, country of origin and name and address of manufacturer, dealer or importer). 2. It provides health, safety, and nutrition information. This includes instructions for safe storage and handling, nutrition information such as the quantity of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals present per serving of stated size of the food (in the Nutrition Facts table), and specific information on products for special dietary use. 3. It acts as a vehicle for food marketing, promotion and advertising (via label vignettes, promotional information and label claims such as "low fat", "cholesterol-free", "high source of fibre", "product of Canada", "natural", "organic", "no preservatives added", and so on).