| It's sad to say but it takes an event like the ecoli | | | | product packaging. |
| outbreak resulting from tainted spinach for the | | | | What process of security validation do you have |
| media to take notice of the role packaging has to | | | | at your packaging manufacturing plant? Do you |
| play in our society. Now it's coming under some | | | | monitor who is going in and out of your facility? |
| serious scrutiny. I was surprised to hear network | | | | Several years ago I visited a flexible packaging |
| TV mention the packaging and food security this | | | | manufacturer that had a very elaborate security |
| week and tie it to the threat of bio-terrorism. Are | | | | procedure for identifying not only visitors but |
| they finally waking up to the role packaging has to | | | | workers too. I was impressed that they thought |
| play in modern society? | | | | about the impact of a potential threat to their |
| I have been speaking about the issue of food | | | | packaging manufacturing long before it became a |
| security for years and repeatedly discuss what a | | | | mainstream security issue. |
| threat it can be. I almost always mention it | | | | You need a proactive strategy to protect your |
| somewhere within my programs and it seemingly | | | | packaging interest and in many cases to utilize it |
| falls on deaf ears. I even have it listed in my | | | | as a marketing tool. Does your product/s have |
| media profile. Guess what. I haven't received a | | | | this "hot button" issue: The package can be easily |
| single call wanting to know more about packaging | | | | opened and tampered with? |
| and security. Do you think my phone will ring off | | | | Start rethinking how you can resolve the situation. |
| the hook now? | | | | Consider the clamshell. Many of these packages |
| Well, the big boys are finally getting into the | | | | just pop open or have no security measure |
| packaging picture. Did you know that the U.S. food | | | | whatsoever. I know it's important for people to |
| supply is governed by a complex system | | | | see and have access to the product. But I |
| administered by 15 agencies? Most people only | | | | suspect there will be a demand for some type of |
| think of the FDA. The point is, however, that you | | | | security device to show that the clamshell has not |
| need to understand the ramifications of incidents | | | | been opened or tampered with. That being said, |
| such as the ecoli outbreak and the role of your | | | | you better FIX it. In any case, I'd start marketing |
| product's packaging. Many times an incident like | | | | the "security" angle in your product packaging and |
| this is totally out of your control. It may not even | | | | if you don't have one get started. |
| be in your product category but it can impact | | | | Also be prepared for the "worst case" scenario |
| your business in serious ways. | | | | even though its not the packaging's fault there is |
| For example look for "spinach" issues to spill over | | | | even some speculation that the category of |
| into other fresh products, such as lettuce, carrots, | | | | "prewashed" greens produce might entirely |
| broccoli and so on. You need to understand how | | | | disappear it from the supermarket if they can't |
| what happens with one product can crossover | | | | get a handle on keeping it uncontaminated. |
| into other similar or like products. On the news | | | | This issue will continue to be in the media |
| this morning, they mentioned products being | | | | forefront now that they have recognized that |
| packaged in certain types of packaging. I actually | | | | there is a problem. Let's just hope that a more |
| heard the word "clamshell" mentioned. So | | | | serious event doesn't have to occur to have |
| packaging is in the picture. Now what do you plan | | | | companies sit up and take notice of how |
| to do about it? But no matter what the outcome | | | | important the role of packaging security is to |
| of where and how the product's integrity was | | | | modern society. |
| compromised, there will be ramifications on | | | | |