Why is packaging crucial in foodservice?
Foodservice has its share of unique challenges, as we explored in the previous post. Resolving these challenges requires a multifaceted approach and packaging plays a key role here, whether it is on the shelf up front or operating behind the scenes inside a dispensing machine.
Take shelf-stable cartons and spouted pouches that cater to the demand for ready-to-drink single-serve items, meeting the same expectations as those in retail. Bag-in-box packs, on the other hand, facilitate bulk storage and controlled dispensing – and that, too, without any cold-chain dependency, in the case of aseptic packaging. Whatever be the product being dispensed, flexible packaging helps elevate the process. But what are the top asks from flexible packaging or bag-in-box when it comes to the foodservice sector?
Food safety and extended shelf life
Reduced environmental footprint
High efficiency across all touchpoints
Keeping it safe all the way
Despite almost being too obvious to be on this list, food safety is the primary consideration for any food packaging, and even more in foodservice where the risk of contamination is high. Sterile closed-loop dispensing systems are the answer to minimizing this risk and extending the shelf life of a product even after it is opened. And packaging, be it aseptic offering extended shelf life or ambient and chilled, plays a crucial role in keeping food safe, be it during storage or handling.
Ticking the sustainability box
Packaging has become a starting point for sustainability initiatives in foodservice today. And these initiatives are geared at reducing the overall environmental footprint of the operators.
Bag-in-box packaging can further this goal with its lightweight efficient use of materials, space-saving design, and higher product-to-package ratio. It also ensures precise dispensing, helping reduce food waste.
Driving efficiency forward
The fast-paced world of foodservice requires systems that support speed and efficiency. Bag-in-box flexible packs help streamline operations by enabling quick and easy loading into dispensing machines, minimizing downtime, and improving service speed. These packs also take up less space and are easier to store and retrieve – optimizing the overall workflow, ensuring both operational efficiency and high-quality service delivery.
The SIG advantage
SIG bag-in-box systems not only meet all the above asks but also go beyond by being highly adaptable, and compatible with almost all dispensing systems. They minimize waste with up to 99% product evacuation while ensuring efficient and reliable dispensing with precise mixing each time. The packs, with their single fitment, can dispense both high-and-low-acid products, simplifying operations further and enabling easy disconnection for hassle-free cleaning and minimal downtime.
Success in foodservice, of course, depends on identifying the growth areas in the industry and capitalizing on emerging opportunities. We, at SIG, are uniquely positioned to help operators do just that. Download our exclusive report to get an in-depth view into the foodservice industry, its challenges and the road ahead including insights from our in-house expert. You can also get a peek into her recommendations in the next and final edition of this series. Watch this space or just subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss a story.
Expert take: What’s on the menu in foodservice?
What challenges does foodservice have on its table?
