Weekly Packaging Design Wrap-Up: Garlic helps packaging extend food shelf life, dog food pack links to waste reduction, glow-in-the-dark packaging gets spotlight

Sandy Yang

LOS ANGELES , December 6, 2013 (Industry Intelligence) – Food packaging that uses garlic extends product shelf life


While garlic often leads to less-than-fresh breath when consumed, such is not the case when it’s used in the packaging of food products. A new generation of food packaging materials that uses encapsulated garlic molecules has been found to extend product shelf life. Developed by the European research project PLA4FOOD, which is coordinated by the Technological Institute of Plastics (AIMPLAS), this three-layer structure allows for garlic molecules to release their antioxidant, antimicrobial and antifungal properties in a controlled manner when in contact with food items. When testing cut-up iceberg lettuce in this package, researchers found it takes about 15% more time for oxidation to occur than with regular packaging. The technology could be applied to rigid form, such as trays, or flexible form, such as film for bags. Extended shelf life through garlic-infused packaging—what a breath of fresh air!

The primary source of this information is Freshplaza BV, Zeeland, the Netherlands.


Dog food packaging resembles sausage links, reduces waste


A packaging concept for dog food featuring a unique sausage shape both reduces waste and allows consumers to warm up the product in a microwave. Titled the “Sausage Dog,” the packaging consists of four linked PET tubes that have a satin appearance and are bundled together by a paper-based sleeve. Links can be ripped apart from the bundle and opened with a pair of scissors, allowing for users to pour single portions directly into a food bowl. For display on store shelves, the bundles can be placed in a recycled paperboard box with matching graphic elements. The “Sausage Dog” packaging concept was created by Federica Fragapane, Kerman Gomez, Chiara Goose Gustinelli, Andrea Gross Gaiani and Luciano Ingenito.

The primary source of this information is Behance Inc., New York, New York.


Beer, snack foods and tissue shine thanks to glow-in-the-dark packaging



While glow-in-the-dark packaging may not be entirely new, major companies have recently embraced this feature to illuminate all types of packaging—from metal cans to flexible packaging to paperboard boxes. Rexam recently launched Russia’s first glow-in-the-dark beverage can for Favorit Stolica’s Black Jack range of cocktail-inspired “alcopops.” The can lights up with a green hue and is aimed at recreating the nightlife of 25- to 30-year-olds, said a Favorit Stolica spokesperson. This Halloween, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division also unveiled its own glow-in-the-dark package with its treat-size Cheetos, available in a 30-count multipack. And in April, Global Tissue Group released its DreamSoft line of tissue packaged in glow-in-the-dark boxes, which add “a touch of ambience to a darkened room,” according to a company press release.

The primary sources of this information are Global Tissue Group, Rexam and Packaging Buzz.

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