Packaging of Milk and Dairy Products

Packaging is a technique of using the mostDefinition of Packaging
appropriate containers and components toPackaging means placing a commodity into a
protect, carry, identify and merchandise anyprotective wrapper or container for transport and
product. It constitutes an important link betweenstorage or it can also be defined as a tool that
the manufacturer and ultimate consumer for theprotects and contains goods with the aim of
safe delivery of the product through differentminimizing the environmental impact of our
stages of production, storage, transport,consumption.
distribution and marketing.The packaging concept is determined by the
Though great efforts have been made indemand of both the consumer and the product.
producing high grade processed milks orNew technological development, environmental
manufactured dairy products, unless they areawareness and changes in the consumer market
delivered in a fresh, sound and suitable form toforce the packaging technologists to consider an
the consumer, they are likely to be rejected, thusincreasing number of factors when designing a
causing enormous wastage. The loss can bepackage. Packaging materials provide a sort of
offset to a great extent by adequate protectiveinert barrier that prevent the interaction of food
packaging to withstand the hazards of climaticproducts with the external environment.
changes, transportation, handling etc.What are all the functions of the packaging
Because of rapid growth in the economy andmaterial?
consequent improvement in the living standards ofThe package should perform at least three
the common people, packaging has becomefunctions of containing, protecting and
important in the distribution process. In today'smerchandizing.
busy world, many consumers do not have theWhat is "containing"?
time to make it to the market. Internet is usedThe package or container should be adequately
to purchase groceries.large to hold the product. It should have proper
Innovative packaging technologies have become aconstructional features so as not to allow leakage
necessity for the development of extended shelfand spillage. It should have enough strength to
life and value added foods and food products. Inwithstand handling, transportation and storage
food industry, the package serves as a barrier tohazards. Finally it should be as compatible as
contamination by microorganisms or otherpossible with the product.
undesirable elements like moisture and light. TheWhat is "protecting"?
secondary role of the packaging material is toThe package should safeguard the product
care for storage and distribution.against contamination, or loss and damage or
The packaging material should satisfy the followingdegradation due to microbial action, exposure to
conditions.heat, light, moisture, and oxygen, accidental
It must protect and preserve the commodityspillage, evaporation, pilferage etc.
from the time it is packaged till the product isWhat is "merchandising"?
consumed.The shape of the package should be favourable
It must be suitable for the selected sales andto dispensation and reclosure and to its disposal or
distribution pattern.re use.
It must protect and preserve the commodityApart from the above discussed three important
from the time it is packaged till the product isfunctions, the packaging material should lend itself
consumed.to operation in whatever machines are available;
It must be suitable for the selected sales andbe economical; be printable on the outer surface;
distribution pattern.and the last but not the least, it should have sales
It must be attractive to the consumer.appeal.
It must be easy to open, store and dispose.What is the choice of an appropriate packaging
It must facilitate the handling, storage andmaterial?
distribution.The specific sensitivities of the contents. For e.g.
It must protect against biological, chemical andmoisture, oxygen etc.
distribution damages.Factors affecting the contents viz. temperature,
It must inform the consumer through the mediumrelative humidity, pH, and the reaction mechanism
of labeling.involved.
It must impart security to the product through aWeight and shape of the container and effect on
tamper evident design.filling and sealing speeds.
It must act as a marketing and advertising tool.Contamination of food by constituents of the
It must protect the environment by taking thepackaging material.
responsibility of empty packaging material after itsStorage conditions - How long the product needs
use.to be protected?
It must be economical i.e. it should neither burnBio degradability and recycling potential.
the purse of the consumer nor the producer.