Smart packaging is a packaging that contains an external or internal indicator to provide information about aspects of the history of the package and/or the quality of the food. A spoilage indicator for milk was developed based on the diffusion of lactic acid. An irreversible color change of the indicator (from light green to red) clearly and progressively shows the spoilage. This indicator used as both external and internal indicators for the detection of milk spoilage. This indicator incorporated in the packed milk film with the help of the unidirectional permeable membrane. The unidirectional permeable membrane allows only one direction that is from milk to the indicator and avoids backward flow which prevents the migration into the milk. This is good candidate to monitor quality losses of the food.
What is Smart Packaging?
Smart Packaging enhances packaging functionality through two methods: Active Packaging and Intelligent Packaging. Active Packaging enhances functionality, while Intelligent Packaging can communicate the packaged content’s status, or communicate other messaging. It involves a combination of specialized materials, science and technology.
What is Active Packaging?
Active Packaging involves the ‘sensing’ and/or ‘manipulation’ of the packaging environment, primarily to better retain the microbiological quality of the contents. It includes barriers, absorbers, scavengers and other controllers of active variables.
- Time/temperature
- Ripeness
What is Intelligent Packaging?
Intelligent Packaging involves ‘sensing changes’ in the packaging environment and ‘communicating’ or ‘signaling’ information about the change. The packaging can communicate:
- Anti-counterfeit
- Supply chain management & control
- Gas concentrations within the packaging
- Microorganism or pathology growth
- Marketing and branding messages
How Does Smart Packaging Design Work?
This graphic explains how this enhanced functionality all works together. Packaging has four basic functions: Protection, Communication, Containment and Convenience. Â Active and Intelligent Packaging enhance the protection and communication functions, respectively.
In the case of Active Packaging, the packaging itself has been enhanced to improve functionality. Marolda talked about a milk producer that has used a special liner on its cartons to extend the shelf life of the milk.
What’s Driving Smart Packaging?
Smart Packaging is much more than just new bells and whistles – the implications are enormous in terms of the potential savings to companies and consumers. Consider the key driving forces behind Smart Packaging:
Safety. For the food and pharmaceutical sector, safety drives decisions. As Marolda notes, “The hazards for these industries are expensive, dangerous and can kill a brand.† For these companies, Smart Packaging is like an added insurance policy.
Brand protection. Increasingly important to companies suffering hits on the grey and black market, Smart Packaging can help verify the authenticity of products.
Shelf life. Besides the safety issue, food spoilage is a huge issue. If Smart Packaging can extend the shelf life of a product by just a day, the cost savings are enormous. Â Check out the video demo of how shelf life can be extended.
