Looking at packaging in a new way to reduce food losses

Packaging performs a number of functions in the containment, protection, sh ipment, and selling of goods. The textbook definitions vary (Table 1), but whichever definition is used, the package is expected to provide a combinat ion of protection and marketing roles. The complex set of requirements is p oorly understood outside of the packaging community (and sometimes within t hat community), resulting in lost opportunities. Furthermore, these functio ns are sufficiently integrated, especially in the developed world, that the y are not considered individually (Anonymous, 1998).