FOOD PACKAGING: A GROWING TREND
The demand for packaged food has been growing steadily over the last decade and more. Need for convenience, hygiene considerations and influx of ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook options, driven by changing lifestyles, growing incomes and increasing mobility are driving this demand. More and more consumers now prefer packaged edible oil, food grains, milk, snacks, mithai, etc. over the traditionally popular loose products. The pandemic has only added to the situation, causing the market to boom further. Today, supermarkets and restaurants too are opting for packaged staples, pre-packaged salads and cut vegetables, etc. Many food sellers are shifting to selling pre-made meals that are then frozen or packaged in film-covered trays. HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT FOOD PACKAGING MACHINE Needless to say, you must go for the food packaging machine that suits your business requirement the best, there are some basic criteria to consider. Size and weight of the machine: The space you have for the machine and its operators plays an important role when selecting your food packaging machine. Size and weight of the machine should suit your facility. Ease of operation: Keep in mind the skills and aptitude of your staff who are going to operate the machine. Go for a food packaging machine that your operators can handle easily, or can be easily trained to operate. Cost of running & maintenance: Find out the average cost of running the machine you propose to purchase. Regular use means it will require regular maintenance, so ask about annual maintenance contracts. Sometimes, parts may need to be repaired or replaced. Be aware of such expenditures when calculating investment cost and ROI. Flexibility for growth/diverse products: While you will be buying the automated packaging machine for a specific product, choose a machine that has the flexibility and versatility to package other products too. With minimum adjustments and easy changeover. After all, you may expand your product range in the near future, and your current packing machine should be capable of handling it. Most Vertical Form Fill Seal Machines work flawlessly with various packaging products no matter what the size, shape or content you put in the bags.