Are You Using the Right Flexible Film?

It's not enough to begin with a first-rate product. The superiority of a brand, and continued integrity of it, depends on using the proper flexible film packaging. As all films are not created equal, and each product requires protection from different elements to maintain freshness and quality, it's important to know if the packaging selected is suited for the commodity. Examining the following common destructive elements can help determine if the right levels of defense have been chosen for the task.

Contaminants

Keeping overall contaminants out of food products is generally the first thing manufacturers consider. Bugs, dust, dirt, and other debris destroy buyer confidence. Most packages, at the very least, provide this level of protection. However, it's also important to verify the reliability of the seal to safeguard against pollutants while the product is transported, on the shelf, and after it's reached the consumer's home. Additionally, it's vital to know that a wrapping's ability to protect against any element will change depending on atmospheric conditions. Therefore, exposure to heat and humidity should be taken into account.

Moisture

Plastics typically work as an excellent moisture barrier. Water vapor transmission rates are scientifically measurable and don't vary much between plastic films. Some differences may be noted, but they're so small that they don't generally have any effect on the shelf-life of a product. This makes them best suited for protecting things like chocolate and dehydrated foods, which are particularly sensitive to moisture changes, but not baked goods that can lose ideal firmness, unless the film is perforated to allow ventilation.

Oxygen and Aroma

The ability for oxygen to pass through will vary greatly from one option to the next. Verifying the oxygen transmission rate of the film used will help determine whether the packaging is a proper choice for the product. For instance, dairy products will generally benefit from a low-oxygen transmission rate, while it wouldn't be nearly as important with dry dog food. There's no precise way to measure whether aroma or odor can permeate packaging, or to what degree. However, it's clear when it happens. Items that give off a strong smell, like fish, or ones that absorb them easily, such as dehydrated foods, should be packaged with a specialized aroma-barrier coating.

Light

Light transmission can vary significantly as well. Generally, candies and the like remain fresh even if the wrapper contains a window that allows light directly in. Dry pet food stays at its best in a dark, or opaque bag. An item like potato chips or moist pet food needs to have light totally shut out to avoid rancidity and benefits most from metalized packaging.
Consumer satisfaction should be a number-one priority for any business. When producing consumable goods, there's a lot to take into account to make sure the end-product reaches customers in the same condition in which it was created. As such, it's essential to choose a flexible film that provides adequate protection against the elements that are most destructive to each individual product. Doing so delivers longer shelf-life, better quality goods and higher overall consumer satisfaction.