Food packaging exists for many reasons, but it no doubt plays a vital role in the sustainability of the food system. Avery Dennison's Cath Cornaggia looks at the challenges and opportunities faced.

Campden BRI has launched a new e-book - Maximising Shelf Life, sharing insights on how the combination of packaging and processes need to be optimised to reduce waste and increase shelf life.

A collaboration between CSIRO and nine partners, including the AIP, has culminated in the roadmap Reshaping Australian Food Systems. The role of packaging in preventing food waste is a key topic under the spotlight.

Australia’s potato and onion producer Mitolo Family Farms has partnered with packaging converter Detpak and supermarket retailer Coles to develop a kerbside recyclable paper bag for fresh potatoes.

After a 25-year absence, The Arnott’s Group has resumed manufacturing in NZ with the opening of its new multi-million-dollar production and packaging facility in Avondale, Auckland.

Pouches were the dominant form of packaging, with paper-based and glass containers also popular with exhibitors at Naturally Good 2023. PKN took to the floor to see what packaging brands were using.

Following a succesful rollout in Australia, Mars Incorporated is now expanding the trial of paper packaging for its Mars bars to the UK as part of a new pilot test to explore different packaging options.

Fresh, chilled soup brand Pitango is preparing to launch its new packaging, the Pitango resealable zipper pouch, which will roll out in grocery stores this winter.

Food start-up Mingle has launched a new look, with branded packaging that reflects its product mantra – to provide consumers a ‘better for you’ offering – and differentiates the brand from counterparts on shelf.

Nestle Australia has launched a new refillable packaging system for its Nan Supremepro toddler milk formula – a first in Australia – as it explores ways to reduce packaging and test new packaging systems.

While most Aussies think food packaging waste is a bigger environmental issue than food waste, the opposite is true, with research led by RMIT finding we waste four times more food than packaging.

Positioned as a natural alternative to conventional chewing gum, Honest Gum continues to go from strength to strength in its quest for plastic-free sustainability, and has just undertaken a branding refresh.

While much discussion around sustainability focuses on the negative impact of plastic waste on the environment, there is another important talk to be had: the role packaging plays in reducing food waste.

Nine finalists were in the running for the Food Packaging Design of the Year award, which saw Sealed Air emerge triumphant with the Gold for the JBS Swift Lamb Cutlets Cryovac Darfesh Mono-PET rollstock.

Nestle and Mars Wrigley are set to test-launch their chocolates and candies in paper packaging in Australia in 2023, which could possibly trigger the ‘paperisation’ of packaging in the APAC region.

New packaging from Cadbury Australia, designed by Bulletproof and supplied by Amcor, features iconic sporting moments to drive support for local clubs. A QR code on pack enables consumer participation.