A Review Of Health Food Packaging Styles and Their Costs

Health food packaging comes in pretty much, as the saying goes, all shapes and sizes.  Boxes, bags, cartons, bottles, canisters, you name it, health food can be packaged in it.  From this consumers might conclude that packaging is interchangeable and that it really doesn't matter which type of protective packaging the specific product may be sold in.  As leaders in flexible retail packaging, we know differently.  We expect that you do too.  However, if you don't, allow us to give you a bit of a review of health food packaging styles and their costs.  

Now, when we say we'll review "their costs", we don't intend to provide you with some price list for all the various types of protective packaging available to you.  That would be a laughable waste of time (we'd be bored writing it and you'd sure as heck be bored reading it!).  What we'd like to do instead is explain what the downside to other types of protective packaging are (or, if you like, what the benefits are from utilizing flexible retail packaging).   

Before we get started, there's one more thing we'd like to mention:  At the end of the day, no matter which packaging you choose, you have to feel comfortable that your choice best represents your brand in a way that builds recognition and engenders brand loyalty.  We think you'll find that our flexible retail packaging more than adequately addresses that issue.

Here, then, are the primary types of health food packaging available to you:

• Boxes
• Cartons
• Cans
• Canisters
• Jugs
• Bottles
• Flexible Retail Packaging (such as stand up pouches, 3 side seal flat barrier bags, flat bottom flexible box bags, spouted stand up pouches, etc.).  

In conducting a review of your options, here are what we believe are the most important questions to ask when considering health food packaging: 

• Is the protective packaging strong?  
• Is it puncture-resistant?  
• Will it protect contents from vapor, odor, moisture, light, air and/or pests, as needed?  
• Does the packaging preserve the shelf life of the contents?
• Will it seal in freshness, flavor, fragrance, and the nutritional qualities of that make your food products "healthy"?  
• Is it convenient to use?  
• Does it possess features that will make the consumer focus on the contents and not the packaging?
• Does the protective packaging convey the image of your brand you wish to project?  
• In other words, does your choice of health food packaging help bolster your brand and strengthen your sales? 
• Does the packaging you're considering demonstrate social and environmental responsibility?  

If the answer to one or more of these questions is "no", you may find that regardless of the monetary cost, you're paying too high of a price in how your brand is perceived by consumers.  And that is probably a cost you can't afford.  

These are some of the reasons why we believe that flexible retail packaging is the best option for health food packaging:  

• Constructed from multiple layers of scientifically-formulated, FDA food-grade film, our flexible retail packaging is among the most durable food packaging available.  
• The characteristics that provide our packaging its strength are the same that protect the contents, ensuring that they stay fresh until at least the "best by" date. 
• It's called "flexible" retail packaging for several reasons, including:
• Not being rigidly structured, it stores easily, whether it be in the garage, kitchen pantry, refrigerator/freezer, picnic basket, even a backpack or purse.
• It is suitable for liquids, powders, mixes, and solids.
• You can order optional tear notches for easy opening, zip lock closures for more effective storage of non liquids, and pour spouts and resealable caps for liquids such as juices, specialty products like almond milk, and other beverages. 

When it comes to marketing, flexible packaging will offer you many options, among them:

• Product labels and other promotional stickers can be affixed to one or more of the package panels
• Custom printing in up to 12 colors using water-based inks
• The package barrier can include transparent and opaque film
• A clear film "window" can be inserted into one or more panels

You can order any combination of these features, all of which will help your brand stand apart from the competition.

Finally, our flexible retail packaging is recyclable and landfill friendly, proving your commitment to environmental health. 

In closing, there is a lot more to think about when dealing with packaging, from protecting the product to building your brand.  Flexible retail packaging for health food products allows you to ship with confidence and increase your sales at the same time.