Packaging Supports Portion Control and Reduces Waste

Portion control and food packaging in fast food

Food standardisation helps staff with preparation and gives customers a clear idea of what they will get when they take food home.

Portion control packaging is now becoming even more popular in the wider consumer market. Single portion packs are not only convenient - they also help to establish what the correct amount is. With an increasing number of people eating alone, portion control packs help consumers make healthy choices

Portion control packaging also reduces the amount of food that is thrown away. For example, when a person travels, there is nowhere to store a large packet of salad. Single-serving packaging enables healthy food choices and reduces waste.

How can your company leverage packaging along with consumer needs by creating portion control packaging that is an integral part of your package design?

The problem of excessive distribution

Approximately 40 percent of the food produced in America is wasted - that's 119 billion pounds. Globally, that's about one-third of the food produced. A tremendous amount of energy, water and time is invested in producing this food, only to throw it in the trash. While portion-controlled packaging won't solve all of the world's food waste problems, it will prevent individual customers from forgetting about the block of cheese that's moulding in the fridge. If multiplied by millions, this has a significant positive effect on food waste.

Psychological aspects of portion control

People's relationships with food are complex and emotional, and packaging design trends like portion control work with these emotions. Many types of food are perceived as a treat, and consumers have difficulty deciding whether to purchase it at all. Foods such as snacks or cakes are a delight. Creating portion-controlled packaging for these foods allows consumers to enjoy the pleasure without overeating. It subconsciously leads consumers to healthier portions.

Portion control packaging also makes fresh food accessible to more people. Instead of sitting in the fridge, these smaller packs are ready to eat and quickly replenished. People feel more satisfied with their food choices when the food is delicious and fresh.

This packaging design reduces consumer stress and guilt over the cost of buying a larger package, some of which can go to waste. It allows them to purchase smaller portions of healthier foods that are typically sold in larger packages.

How brands can implement portion controlled packaging

If you've decided to switch to portion-controlled packaging, what are your next steps?

• Listen to your customers. What are their favorite products? How do they use these products? Gather information.
• Discover the pain points for your customers. Pinpoint why they need portion-controlled packaging.
• Take a look at the products you create and think about which ones are the most likely candidates for smaller packaging. What are the properties of each food product and what would it look like in a smaller package?
• Combine consumer needs and your understanding of your products to develop portion-controlled packaging that meets those needs.
• Make sure the packaging you choose keeps your food fresh and protected from spoilage, and see how consumers respond to this new product line.
• Consider your findings and make adjustments depending on feedback, then prepare for wider distribution of your product.

Conclusion

Packaging design needs to adapt with the times, and one of the trends in food packaging today is portion control. When cultural changes happen and people eat alone, on the go or in small portions, packaging needs to change. Portion control helps keep people healthy and reduces food waste. It is a positive way to respond to changing consumer needs.