Function and Role of Packaging

The most basic function of packaging is to contain and protect products from damages, so the more easily stored, transported and marketed. General function in food packaging are:

1. Contain the product during distribution from producers to consument, so that the product is not scattered, especially for liquid, paste or granules.
2. Protect and preserve the product, such as protection from ultraviolet light, heat, humidity, oxygen, collisions, contamination from dirt and microbes that can damage and reduce the quality of the product.
3. As the identity of the product, in this package can be used as a means of communication and information to consumers through a label located on the packaging.
4. Improve efficiency, for example: easy calculation (one pack contains 10, 1 dozen, 1 gross and so on), facilitate shipping and storage. This is important in world trade.
5. Protecting the bad influence of the product in it, for example, if the product is packaged in the form of strong-smelling products, or hazardous products such as hard water, toxic gases and products that can transmit color, then the product packaging to protect products around.
6. Expanding the use and marketing of products, such as ketchup and syrup sales which had been packed in glass bottles, but now developed by using plastic bottles.
7. Add interest prospective buyers.
8. As a means of information and advertising.
9. Provide comfort for consumers.
   

Functions 6, 7 and 8 is an additional function of the packaging, but with the increasing competition in the food industry, additional functionality will find this more precisely, so that the package should look really attractive to prospective buyers. Several ways to improve the appearance of the package:

• The packaging is made with several colors and shiny so interesting and impressive luxury. The packaging is made in such a way that gives the impression of quality packaging products and expensive.
• Packaging design in such a way that made it easier for consumers.
• Container engineering design always follow the latest techniques so that the product is packaged impressed follow the latest developments.
  

In addition to the functions above, the package also has an important role in the food industry, namely:
a. as the identity of the product.
b. media campaign.
c. media outreach, such as providing information about the instructions how to use and benefit products in it.
d. for government can be used as the packaging of consumer protection efforts
e. for the consumer packaging can be used as a source of information about the content / products, as the basis for the decision to buy the product or not.

Packaging also has several weaknesses, such as:
a. Packaging bias abused by producers because it is used to cover the lack of quality or product damage, propagating disproportionately products or misleading information that lead to fraud or forgery. So often misused by the manufacturer.
b. Food packaging will increase production costs.