2 billion people on the planet are obese and 800 million are going to bed hungry every night. At the same time, 30% of the world’s food that has been produced is wasted before it gets to the consumer. Statistics are quite frightening because one part of the world is eating too much and the other part is getting too little. According to the Guardian, 45% of all fruits and vegetables, 35% of fish and seafood, 30% of cereals, and 20% of meat and dairy products are wasted by suppliers, retailers, and consumers every year. Also, the world is struggling with a growing population and no one knows how to feed everyone. To tackle such huge problems, people have to understand where food loss or waste is occurring, why it’s occurring and what needs to be pulled out. Influential players and forward thinking retailers such as Kroger, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Carrefour, and Wal-Mart are capable to address this global food issue. Such companies have direct links with farmers, processors, and consumers. However, if the world needs a closer look at food loss and waste in particular then the role of packaging obviously has a part to play. The market demands edible packaging during the forecast period due to evolving consumer preferences.
How edible packaging can help prevent food waste? Food and beverage packaging has been seen filled with an unfair reputation for spoiling the environment. It can create an environmental problem but has potential to minimize the upcoming. Half the world is hungry because of food waste that occurs throughout the supply chain where food waste is also responsible for most of the environmental degradation. Livestock, in particular cattle, are associated with greenhouse gas emissions. Packaging meat products can result in fewer cattle contribution to the emissions. Overall, food packaging plays an important role in reducing food waste.
Packaging’s Role in Safety, Foods and Beverages
Food packaging industry is thriving as food safety has become a global concern. The principles of food packaging aim to prevent food from becoming contaminated and causing food poisoning. Storing or packaging food correctly with regards to temperature, environment and equipment is a critical component in the overall food safety process. Numerous food and beverage packaging companies create different packaging options such as paper, recyclable plastic, metal, glass, wood, cardboard, compostable of biodegradable plastic, non-toxic eco-friendly inks, viable paper labels, reusable containers, and BPA free containers simply to maintain freshness, extend longevity, reduce waste and thus can be recycled easily. More than ever, as food distribution networks globalize, packaging plays an essential role in ensuring the final product is safe and secure for consumption.
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Foods (Snacks)
Most food manufacturers are aware of the impact of faulty packaging on their businesses. They prefer quality packaging with zero risk of contamination and mislabeling that enhances food safety. Snack foods such as nuts, chips, cookies, etc. and their packaging play a vital role in meeting environmental goals and food safety requirements. Both food producers and packaging industry generally try to minimize the impact of packaging on the environment. They opt for biodegradable plastic to meet quality and reduce emissions without sacrificing the performance and usability. Today, biodegradable plastic has become the best possible alternative for all traditional plastics used in various applications. As a result, the rising demand for more sustainable plastic products provides an immense opportunity for key companies operating in the biodegradable plastic market. Through this, the global biodegradable plastic market is forecasted to be more than $6 Billion USD by the end of the year 2026 (Research and Markets).
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Beverages
Excessive plastic, can, and bottle waste and their disposal are now becoming a part of major global environment issue. The beverage packaging industry is segmented by material (glass, plastic, metal, and paper), product type (cans, bottles, pouches, jars, and cartons), type of beverage (carbonated drinks, milk, water, juices, energy drinks, and alcoholic drinks), and geography. Protein-based beverages and herbal drinks are very popular types of drinks among athletes and common people. The increasing consumption of these drinks adds on to the market demand. Similar to food packaging, the beverage packaging market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 6.20%, over the forecast period 2019-2024. In the US, beverage sector is accounted for nearly 50% of the packaging market. As preserving the quality of the content is increasingly important the effective packaging has become a necessity in the beverage industry. Growing demand for longevity directed beverage manufacturers to emphasize on developing sustainable and durable packaging solutions, which not only reduce the storage cost, but also complement the beverage packaging market.
Significance of Edible Packaging Regulations
Most food packaging regulatory systems include general safety requirements that are deliberated to preserve the physical, chemical, and sanitary integrity of the contents of food packages. These regulatory systems are based on similar scientific principles, but the approach used by different jurisdictions can vary considerably. These different approaches for edible packaging have three focal points to understand its significance: assurance, advancements, and transportation. Food security and safety are the top need in packaging regulatory systems and ensuring the same can bring justice to health. Before selecting a food packaging company one should assess the organization’s abilities and experience in view of strict criteria. Food packaging companies must be knowledgeable and administrative prerequisites to secure the general population. But how do food packaging suppliers understand regulation? The sheer volume and many-sided quality of food packaging regulations are overwhelming to even an accomplished provider. However difficult, the provider must comprehend current regulations thoroughly and stay aware of all new changed administrative controls.
Growing Consumption Drives Asia-Pacific Market at the Fastest Pace
- Consumers in Asia-Pacific region are switching to a lifestyle of zero-waste packaging to reduce the impact of plastic pollution. The market holds a major share in retail packaging, estimating to nearly 75%, as major manufacturing is done in China.
- The demand for foods and beverages, and hence the demand for their packaging, are expected to grow faster in the Asia-Pacific region, due to a rise in income and ongoing population shift from rural to urban (zero-waste mindset), in major countries such as China, Japan, and India.
- Change in lifestyle and a growing young population lead to a higher demand for branded and packaged substances. At the same time, growing health awareness and more concern towards environmental sustainability, lead to innovation of thin continuous layer of edible packaging in the region.
- Moreover, on the go consumption in countries like India, China, Japan is fuelling demand. With two of the world’s populous countries China and India, the foods and beverages demands are always on the higher side, subsequently driving the edible packaging market.
