Understanding Edible Packaging: Definitions and Concepts
Edible packaging is a unique innovation in the packaging industry, breaking the traditional norm of separating the package from the product. Instead of discarding the wrapper or container, consumers can eat it along with the product. Edible packaging uses a range of natural products to create a barrier that shields the enclosed food. This intriguing concept not only adds an interesting experience for the consumer, but also addresses the daunting problem of plastic waste filling up our landfills.
Edible packaging essentially replaces inedible, often non-recyclable food packaging material such as plastic bottles, wax-paper wraps etc., with biodegradable and consumable equivalents. These advancements in packaging, while still early in their development stages, are showing considerable promise in their potential to eliminate plastic waste.
Considering the current environmental concerns, figures suggest that the global edible packaging market can grow at an exponential rate. Exploring the commercial potential of edible packaging, many companies all over the world are investing in research and development of biodegradable and edible packaging solutions.
A Brief History of Edible Packaging Innovations
The first instance of edible packaging was arguably nature’s own invention – fruit and vegetable peel, egg shell and nut shell. The idea of packaging you can eat along with its contents isn’t entirely new—it dates back at least to the Middle Ages, when street vendors in Europe served peas in a cone of bread, inventing the concept of the edible dish or bowl.
While the concept of edible packaging is much older, modern edible packaging truly took off in the late 20th and early 21st century, led by innovation and advancements in food processing and chemical engineering. Edible packaging made wave in the 2010s when Wiki Foods offered yogurt and other food products enclosed in edible pods.
The primary challenge was ensuring the packaging effectively protected the food product it was holding. Diverse approaches to address this challenge led to the creation of several types of edible packaging materials including seaweed, milk proteins, beans, wheat, and corn, all treated and processed to form effective packaging.
Environmental Impact: How Edible Packaging Reduces Waste
Plastic waste is a huge environmental problem. Non-biodegradable and harmful to both wildlife and human communities, plastic contributes to landfill expansion, ocean pollution, and global warming. Edible packaging offers a solution to this, with the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of waste produced by the food industry.
Edible packaging, by its very nature, makes separation and disposal of the packaging unnecessary. Once the content is consumed, the packaging either gets consumed together or it biodegrades rapidly, without the need for waste-processing facilities. Consequently, this can have a positive impact on the environment, reducing trash generation and the amount of waste going into landfill.
Moreover, traditional packaging production processes consume an enormous amount of energy, and often rely on non-renewable resources. Edible packaging manufacturing processes are typically much less energy-intensive and are based on renewable and often recyclable resources.
Health Benefits and Concerns Related to Edible Packaging
While there are many potential benefits related to edible packaging, there are also health concerns. On the positive side, edible packaging can incorporate beneficial additives, such as vitamins, minerals and probiotics. They can offer additional nutritional benefit to the food, increasing its nutritional value.
However, on the downside, the safety of edible packaging materials is a critical concern, as it involves consumption of the material along with the food product. There could be potential allergies, and sanitation is another key issue that must not be overlooked. For example, if the packaging is handled by many hands before reaching the consumer, it could bring about sanitation issues and potential spread of diseases.
Yet, the edible packaging industry continues to evolve, and a variety of sophisticated manufacturing measures are being implemented to address these concerns. These include antimicrobial packaging, policies around handling of food, and advances in production processes to improve sanitation levels.
Different Types of Edible Packaging Materials Used Today
Today a variety of edible packaging materials are available, offering numerous options to choose from. Alginate – a compound derived from brown seaweed – is a common base for many types of edible packaging, as it forms a strong and flexible film.
Another type of edible packaging comes from milk proteins, specifically casein. Researchers have developed an edible plastic from casein that is up to 500 times more efficient at keeping oxygen away from food than traditional plastic wrap, and it’s completely biodegradable.
Among the other materials in use, we can mention soy proteins, wheat proteins that when combined can form strong and effective packaging material. Additionally, gelatin, corn zein and lipids are also used in the formulation of edible packaging. This diversity in choice of materials used for edible packaging indicates the vast potential that this industry holds.
Case Studies: Success Stories in the Edible Packaging Industry
Several companies are adding edible packaging to their sustainability initiatives, with successful results. Notably, Loliware, a company that successfully appeared on the show Shark Tank, creates edible cups from seaweed. These cups biodegrade faster than an orange peel if not consumed, and come in a variety of flavors.
Another success story comes from Evoware, a company based in Indonesia, which uses a type of seaweed to produce edible packaging. Their wrapper products can be used on food and beverage products, and are reported to have a shelf-life of two years. Even if someone doesn’t consume the packaging, it dissolves in hot water or decomposes in the soil in a matter of weeks.
These success stories highlight the incredible potential of edible packaging, and encourage other companies in the industry to step away from traditional packaging methods and towards more sustainable options.
Economic Implications of Adopting Edible Packaging
The economic benefits associated with edible packaging are multi-faceted. Adopting edible packaging can create new markets and job opportunities in the manufacturing sector. On the supply side, it can result in cost savings from reduced use of traditional packaging materials, lower waste management and disposal costs, while also reducing the costs associated with environmental damage caused by traditional packaging.
However, the investment involved in shifting to edible packaging can be significant, as it involves establishing new supply chains, training labor, and setting up new manufacturing and packaging processes. The prices of edible packaging products are still relatively high compared to traditional packaging, which poses a significant challenge to widespread adoption.
However, as the technology and production processes improve, prices are expected to come down, creating a more economically viable option for businesses.
Regulatory Landscape and Policies Affecting Edible Packaging
The regulatory landscape for edible packaging is evolving. As with any food product, edible packaging comes under the jurisdiction of food regulatory bodies such as the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the US and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) in Europe.
These organizations ensure compliance with food safety and hygiene standards, including ingredient regulation, manufacturing processes, disposability, and labeling. These regulations aim to ensure that edible packaging is safe to consume, and that it doesn’t create any adverse health effects.
The regulatory landscape, however, poses challenge for innovative edible packaging solutions, as often the existing regulatory frameworks do not fully account for the unique challenges and considerations presented by this new form of packaging.
Consumer Perception towards Edible Packaging
Consumer perceptions towards edible packaging vary widely. On the one hand, many consumers applaud the idea of reducing waste and creating a more sustainable world. On the other hand, some consumers express concerns about the safety, hygiene, taste, and texture of edible packaging.
Studies suggest that consumers, especially younger ones, are more keen to accept edible packaging if it provides added health benefits such as probiotics, essential nutrients or if the packaging improves the overall eating experience with added flavor or texture.
Understanding consumer perception is key to creating successful edible packaging products. Companies must focus on resolving the concerns by improving the safety, taste and texture of the packaging, along with clear communication on the environmental benefits of this revolutionary packaging solution.
Future Trends: What to Expect from Edible Packaging Innovations
The future of edible packaging looks promising. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect innovative and exciting products in the coming years. Future trends will likely include a more widespread use of seaweed and algae-based packaging, as well as cater to specific diets, such as vegan or allergy-friendly packaging.
Additionally, with the increased concerns about global warming and waste management, we can expect governmental regulations to favor innovations that reduce waste and lessen environmental impacts. These trends might further drive the adoption of edible packaging solutions.
The edible packaging industry is in its developmental stage and as the challenges are met and resolved, we can anticipate that edible packaging can become an important part of our efforts to lead a sustainable lifestyle, reducing waste and mitigating impact on the environment.
