Food Trend: Functional Foods Need Functional Packaging

It's not all about eating less and eliminating certain foods from our diets when it comes to analyzing present food trends. In 2016, consumers are seeking to add more functional foods to their diets, according to a Google Food Trends report. Functional foods are products that have been seen to add more health benefits to our physical, emotional and mental well-being. These foods claim to improve the appearance of the skin, increase energy, lessen depression, lower the chances of being afflicted with certain illnesses, help with pain management, boost brain activity, or offer other benefits. Items that are seen as functional foods can range from spices such as turmeric to fermented milk drinks like kefir.

Innovative Packaging Solutions for Functional Foods

According to Think with Google, more than 50% of millennials are using mobile devices to not only search for more functional foods to add to their diets but to also search for how to effectively use these foods to maximize health benefits. This trend leads food processors and manufacturers to consider more innovative packaging technologies to make it easier for people to use these food products in different applications.

While the first thought we have is to sprinkle a bit of these functional food products into recipes, people across the country are also looking for other ways to incorporate these items into their lifestyles. People may brew the functional food into tea, use it to dye clothes, or even apply it to the skin as a face mask. Due to these varying applications, packaging solutions need to easily adapt to ensure the freshness of the functional food while also allowing them the flexibility to use the item in any way they desire. A consumer does not want to open up a large bag to use only a small pinch of the functional food product in a health drink or to apply it to the skin. This scenario compromises the continued freshness of the product.

Instead, innovative packaging technologies must be explored to offer the right types of machines and packaging materials to do the job. For example, a food processor may consider packaging their product into Viking Masek's single-serve stick packs or sachets so a consumer can easily add spices to smoothies or brew the functional food into their favorite hot beverage. Larger bulk packaging can be made available for functional food products that are in heavy use while still guaranteeing the food's freshness to last with a resealable option.

Consider Functional Packaging Solutions for This Food Trend

Functional food appears to be a trend that will be around for some time. As a decision-maker, you will be put to task to source innovative packaging solutions that are suitable for this growing trend to make food more appealing to the millennial market. Look into the machinery and products offered by Viking Masek to increase production efficiency and flexibility while still ensuring the quality of the food as it is transported from farm to table.