Breathe easy with the right packaging format

BY Jozef Salaerts, President, CROWN Asia Pacific Holdings Ltd

A GROWING number of high profile food contamination and tampering cases have made consumers wary and more concerned about food safety. China especially, has become more vigilant and the nation has recently made amendments to their food safety legislation which will blacklist food and beverage manufacturers who do not adhere to safety requirements and guidelines, with effect from October 2015[i]. Unsurprisingly, product recalls are also an increasingly hot topic; manufacturers are diligently studying preventive measures and – now more than ever – are concerning themselves with brand protection.

Compared to just 12% in 2008, 80% of 3,166 people across 20 cities in China indicated a deep concern about food safety in a 2014 Horizon Research Group Survey[ii]. Perhaps as a response to heightened concerns, China has gone through two years of revising the food safety law since Premier Li Keqiang has pledged to crack down on food safety offenders during his time as leader of the world’s second largest economy in 2013. The new food regulatory reform which will be going into effect from October 1^st this year, will involve harsher punishment for violations and tighter regulations than the revamped food safety law in 2009[iii].

Aluminum packaging and food safety

Consumers and brand owners may not understand how metal packaging actively contributes to both food safety measures and quality assurance. A robust and tamperproof package, the can is hermetically sealed, and once inspected (and sealed), can effectively protect its contents against external contaminants such as dirt and water that can lead to foodborne illnesses. An inherently sturdy package, metal also offers a superior barrier against light and oxygen, extending the product’s shelf life while minimizing the risk of spoilage.

The advantages of using aluminum packaging

Widely recycled, aluminum cans also have an unparalleled sustainability profile and contribute to local sustainability initiative such as China’s grand Packaging Recycling Master Plan, which aims to reduce excessive packaging through enforcing mandatory legal standards and specifications. The durability of metal means minimal secondary packaging is required during shipping; likewise, the long shelf life of cans minimizes product waste, and since cans require minimal ambient temperature control during shipment and storage, this leads to reduced energy costs and CO₂ emissions.

With the can being designed to keep beverages fresh and flavorful for a prolonged period, consumers can enjoy their favorite beverage with the confidence that it will still have the familiar taste that they love. Not only does this maintain consumer satisfaction, it also upholds the standards that consumers associate with their favorite brands, building loyalty.

 Choosing a trustworthy partner

Apart from the recently revised Chinese Food Safety Law, China has also implemented several other initiatives to enforce nationwide food safety. For instance, it was recently announced that a Food Safety Special Exhibition and Summit will be launched in 2016 as part of a major analysis exhibition in China for the first time.[iv] Nonetheless, in spite of all efforts to improve and implement food safety regulations in the region, the onus of ensuring quality and consumer safety still falls on food and beverage manufacturers[v]. To reduce their burden, manufacturers prefer and actively seek supplier partners who can contribute to their peace of mind.

Global can suppliers take product safety and quality very seriously. When it comes to inspection and safety, can manufacturers like Crown adhere to multiple layers of standards. To give you an idea of how stringent the supplier tests their beverage cans, consider this: every single can on any production line has to be inspected, and all lines are fitted with advanced vision and light inspection machines. Light inspection equipment is extremely sensitive to any leaks or holes in the container, and vision tests are used to inspect the finished product, where rogue or damaged cans will be identified and automatically rejected before the final cans are sent for filling. Both tests are used to confirm that newly produced cans have been manufactured according to preset standards.

Besides on-line inspection, beverage cans also go through off-line destructive testing from time to time to ensure quality. In this scenario, a sample of cans are pulled from various production batches and taken apart and examined, with standard pre-determined tests being employed to inspect the integrity and strength of the can in greater detail.

Suitable packaging for you

Their flexibility and availability in multiple sizes make cans suitable for a broad range of beverage types, from herbal teas to juices to beer. For a brand management team, understanding the benefits of different packaging formats can help them make an educated decision about what’s best for their product. Partnering with an experienced packaging supplier will facilitate that, and also improve their understanding of how different packaging can impact a consumer’s experience of the brand.