News
Sustainable Food Packaging is Being Put to the Test as Food Prices Soar
09/05/2008
This is a challenging time to be in the food business, as commodity prices soar, along with the prices of electricity and fuel, which makes processing food and distribution even more costly. Last year prices for basic food items such as milk, eggs, corn, wheat, oils, and other edible commodities climbed to unprecedented levels. And they continue rising, according to the latest economic reports, though at a slower pace. Consumers are not the only ones feeling the pinch, but so are the retailers in the food industry, as unemployment levels rise, and inflation weakens their purchasing power.
Just how are people responding to this crisis, since they do have to eat (in good economic times and bad)?
One marked shift has been that people are changing what they eat and where they eat. More and more consumers are opting to eat at home as opposed to dining out, and to shop at supermarket chains that are cost-friendly, rather than the posh market down the street which might be more exclusive. Some grocery chains say this trend has resulted in second-quarter profit increases while some casual-dining chains to file for bankruptcy-court protection in recent months, reports the Wall St. Journal.
There is also a shift towards packaged foods, such as frozen foods and prepared meals that can be cooked up in minutes. This has led to an increased demand by those in the food business for a high-quality food packaging film that can be used for stock items such as frozen foods, produce, sugar and beverages as well as ice.
PolyPAK America has successfully faced this challenge by supplying a line of food packaging which is FDA approved and also certified by the American Institute of Baking (AIB) after meeting stringent qualifications. Specific resin blends are selected for use in their food packaging, to meet the needs of cold temperature applications, as well as special barrier films to prevent oxygen transmission (which preserves the food longer). Their food packaging films are available in mono-layer and multi-layer configurations that are made of high-clarity or colored film.
PolyPAK America provides form, fill and seal (FFS) film for items such as sugar, beverages, frozen foods, and ice and is also a top supplier of produce bags, ice bags, shrink bundling film, and bin liners for powdered foods or fruits.
With the rising demand for cheaper food as prices soar, it’s good to know there is a company that is committed to providing safe, high-quality products to consumers. This means maximum shelf appeal for the food packaging industry, while still retaining the rich taste of fresh food that we all enjoy.
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