Selecting the most suitable packaging material for a product is often far from straightforward. Fruits and vegetables, and many other foods and beverages have different shelf lives. Vegetable items and fruits have high water content. They are often easily bruised, easily crushed and split, which encourages the growth of fungi, bacteria and mould. Fruit and vegetables are subject to an endogenous and degenerative process called senescence, in effect they breath and respire. Senescence cannot be stopped but various packaging technologies, material structures and fast farm to plate, pick, pack and distribution can minimise food waste.
Once the product, the fruit and the vegetables arrive at the retailer and are put on display, the deterioration clock starts ticking. Shelf life, even with modified atmosphere packaging and coated barrier mono and other material structures can only be drawn out so far. Selecting the most appropriate packaging is critical, but so too is presentation. Packaging and labelling that catches the eye of the consumer has more of a chance of being bought than one that has an inferior design, drab colour and indifferent printing.
Packaging challenges
Packaging must be clearly labelled, must incorporate information on point of origin, harvesting date, size/weight of produce. With fruit and vegetable produce, there is often a mix of packaging with tertiary, primary and secondary packaging of equal importance. Items may come in multi-pack cartons, fibreboard boxes or even clamshell packed sealed by a label with an aggressive adhesive.
Communicating colour effectively is important. Colour quickly becomes associated in the mind of a consumer with specific brands and products. Colour draws customers in and can help shift products with a short shelf life such as soft fruits.
Meeting colour targets accurately
Colour communication or proofing devices enable users of many descriptions to meet colour targets accurately, quickly and with minimal waste. At the same time, systems such as the VCML narrow web width pilot print/coat, laminating system can be used for small-scale production, the testing and trialling of materials and consumables to ensure material/ink/coat compatibility. With a web width of up to 300mm, the VCML is touch screen controlled and is equipped with a cantilevered unwind and rewind. The unit can be supplied with direct and reverse gravure coating; offset; knife-over-roll, slot die and with flexo print and gravure print capabilities.
The VCML can be used to print, coat or laminate on all types of flexible substrates and on a reel-to-reel basis. It has the ability to apply various inks, varnishes and adhesives using environmentally acceptable formulations. Colour communicates, coating protects.
Written by Tom Kerchiss, Chairman of RK Print Coat Instruments Ltd