FDA-approved flexible packaging has experienced significant growth in the baby food market for various reasons, including safety and ease of use. Read more to see what our WNA experts identified as four primary benefits of using pouches.
Parents with small kids and toddlers are always on their toes. Catering to the needs of an infant or a toddler is a full-time job. This is why many parents prefer buying prepared baby food, as it saves a lot of time and energy. Such foods typically come in tins and glass jars. While these containers have been used for centuries, they come with drawbacks. Their rigid nature can be inconvenient, especially while on the go. They require a lot of space to be transported and can be unsafe when improperly handled by children.
FDA-approved flexible packaging has seen a drastic increase in the baby food industry over the past few years for many reasons, including packaging safety and ease of use. Flexible packaging options, like pouches or spouted pouches, are safe to handle since they won’t break or shatter like traditional glass jars. They are also lightweight enough for babies to hold. Additionally, flexible packaging takes up less space in the supply chain, resulting in lower greenhouse gas emissions during transport. As food and beverage manufacturers commit to rigorous sustainability standards, flexible packaging plays an important role in supporting these goals.
However, convenience is not the only reason why pouches are becoming so popular in the baby food industry (and in others too!). Here are four primary benefits of producing baby food in pouches:
1. Puncture resistance
Several techniques can elevate the strength and puncture resistance of flexible packages. Laminating protective layers into pouches is one effective method. These layers provide proper resistance and barrier protection to the package contents throughout the supply chain, from the manufacturer's warehouse to retail store shelves.
2. Barrier against external contaminants
Packaging serves a primary function of safeguarding contents from the external environment. Flexible packaging materials effectively shield products from moisture, vapor, sunlight and external contaminants. This is particularly crucial for sensitive products like baby food, making stand-up pouches an ideal choice.
3. Withstands high-standard sterilization
Sterilization is critical to ensuring the integrity of packages. The materials used in flexible packaging can withstand the sterilization process used for packaging baby food, which often involves subjecting packages to high pressure and high temperatures. This guarantees that pouches can be filled, sealed and brought to the market without compromising their integrity.
4. Market differentiation
Flexible packaging can be designed to stand out from rigid container packaging. Studies show that parents prefer lightweight and easy-to-handle packaging. In addition, flexible packaging offers opportunities for unique prints, colors and finishes, enhancing the product’s appeal compared to similar items on the market.
To learn more about packaging technologies available to handle pouches and spouted pouches, click here to contact the WNA team.
