Food Container: A Necessary Tool for Storing and Transporting Food Items

Food Container: A Necessary Tool for Storing and Transporting Food Items

The first canned foods were vegetables, fruits and soups. Tin-coated steel was used to make early food cans which proved effective in preventing spoilage by blocking air, light and bacteria. In the early 20th century, various plastic packaging materials like polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were developed which expanded usage of plastic food enormously. This led to establishment of dedicated food manufacturing industry catering to storage and transportation needs of processed and packaged food products.

Advantages of Using Food Containers

Food Containers play a vital role in ensuring food safety and extending shelf life. Airtight sealing properties of containers prevent microbial contamination and moisture ingress. Opaque containers also provide protection against degradation by light. Rigid walls offer strength to withstand pressure during processing and transportation. Shaped containers facilitate easy stacking andorganization during storage and logistic operations. Clear material allow visibility of contents. Microwavable containers allow reheating of leftovers. Reclosable lids provide multiple opening-closing without spillage. Recyclable materials help reduce environmental footprint. Affordable pricing have made containers ubiquitous packaging solutions.

Types of Food

Metal Cans: Used extensively for canned fruits, vegetables, fish, meat. Provide long shelf life of 3 years. Aluminum being lightweight is preferred for beverages. Tin-coated steel resists corrosion.

Glass Jars: Ideal for storing spreads, sauces, pickles, ready-to-eat foods. Durable and reusable if properly cleaned. Risk of breakage limits large scale usage.

Plastic Containers: Widely employed for packaging variety of products - from juices to ready meals. Made from PET, HDPE, PP, offering good clarity and moisture barrier. Thermoformed trays and clamshells used for fresh produce. Pouches suited for powders. Microwavable containers let users reheat contents.

Boxes: Corrugated fiberboard boxes effectively hold multi-packs of bottles/containers. Folding carton boxes protects snacks, cereal. Rigid plastic crates used for transporting beverage bottles.

Stand-Up Pouches: Emerging format gaining popularity for baby food, pet food due to recloseable zippers, and space saving attributes. Pouches made of laminated foil, polymers survive retort sterilization.

Applications of Containers

Dairy: Milk, yogurt, cream, cheese - contained in plastic bottles, cups, tubs, pouches, aseptic cartons to retain freshness.

Bakery: Fresh baked goods packed in clear plastic wrappers, boxes to maintain moisture. Long shelf life snacks available in resealable bags.

Beverage: Water, juices, carbonated drinks, processed liquid foods packed in PET bottles for long shelf life during distribution.

Ready Meals: Pre-cooked rice, pasta, curries packed in microwave friendly trays or pouches for fast re-heating. Frozen entrees use sturdier trays to prevent fractures.

Fresh Produce: Clamshell and shrink bags used shelf life extension for fruits like berries and vegetables like salad mixes on retail shelves.

Standardized Food Containers

Globally standardized container dimensions have gained wide acceptance as per application - multi-pack cans, bottles for juices, dairy packs, snack bags, frozen food trays allowing scalable production and supply chain efficiencies. Parameters like material compatibility, printability, functionality, filling and sealing properties are standardized. This has facilitated global distribution of branded multi-national food companies using same SKUs worldwide. Food regulators have also standardized certain packaging attributes such as labeling formats, recycling codes to establish container identity. Standardization benefits sustainability by reducing complexity.

Future Outlook of Container Industry

Food industry will keep evolving to address changing preferences and sustainability goals. Developing economies with increasing disposable incomes will boost consumption leading to industry growth. Active lifestyles will drive demand for convenient on-the-go packaging. Health and wellness trend will steer products to portable, wholesome formats. Sustainable packaging using recycled, recyclable materials like plant-based films and bioplastics will gain traction.

In Summary, advances in 3D printing could enable personalized, tailored containers. Nanocoatings may enable active packaging combating food waste. Internet of Packaging connecting physical packages with virtual information is emerging concept. While containers will keep revolutionizing, their core utility in protecting food and enabling supply chains will remain.

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