| Most of us don't give a whole lot of thought to | | | | Theft - |
| the plastic food packaging that we use; we | | | | Shopkeepers in Australia are all too familiar with |
| generally rip it open, dispose of it then carry on | | | | the issue of theft. Every time an item of food is |
| about our normal business. However, packaging | | | | pilfered from a store, it is money right out of the |
| suppliers are well aware of the many social issues | | | | owner's pocket. Thieves often attempt to |
| that come into play when it comes to packaging. | | | | circumvent store security systems by slipping |
| More information about this surprisingly intriguing | | | | food out of its packaging; this is why packaging |
| topic is highlighted below. | | | | has to be reasonably hard to open. Most thieves |
| The Elderly - | | | | won't dare to struggle with a difficult-to-open |
| As people age, they often encounter difficulty in | | | | package in the store, so many thefts are |
| getting various food packages open. Arthritis is | | | | prevented. |
| the major culprit behind this phenomenon, as is | | | | Litter - |
| shaking and general weakness. Food suppliers | | | | One of the most significant social issues |
| want the elderly to be able to open their food | | | | surrounding food packaging is litter. It must be |
| with ease, but they can't make packaging too | | | | noted, however, that packaging suppliers aren't |
| easy to open, either. It's a definite conundrum, but | | | | the ones who strew litter about; consumers are |
| things have improved a great deal in recent years. | | | | responsible for properly disposing of their used |
| Many times, elderly people who consistently | | | | packaging. Between recycling efforts and |
| struggle with opening their food packaging are in | | | | increasing awareness about saving the planet, |
| need of more assistance than they are currently | | | | litter due to packaging is likely to decrease as |
| receiving. | | | | time goes by. |
| Children - | | | | Serving Size - |
| Food is, of course, safe to eat; unlike medicines | | | | Finally, large family units are becoming less |
| and cleaning agents, it's usually not an issue for a | | | | common in Australia. Single=person households are |
| small child to open up food packaging and eat the | | | | on the rise in this country, which means that |
| contents within. Still, most parents would prefer it | | | | single-serving foods are becoming more |
| if their very young children are unable to get food | | | | necessary. The food packaging industry is |
| unwrapped or otherwise opened, which is partly | | | | increasingly staying on top of this trend in an |
| why most food packaging is at least a little but | | | | effort to reduce food wastage. It is quite likely |
| tricky to open. Also, strong packaging is | | | | that we will see a greater range of single-serving |
| necessary for many types of food, in order to | | | | foods on our local grocery store shelves as the |
| keep it from going bad. | | | | time goes on. |