In 1940, we were dealing with the challenges of living through World War II. Packaging focused on practicality and availability. Today, packaging innovation is being driven by sustainability, technology and changing consumer preferences.
During the war there were significant shortages of packaging materials such as metal and glass. Alternate materials like cellophane were therefore introduced. Paper and boxboard saw an increase in use. There were no plastic packages 85 years ago. The evolution of plastics led to the invention of new materials (LDPE, HDPE, PP, PET etc.) and the creation of new package formats (e.g. bottles, jars, pouches, squeeze tubes).
Over time, advances in printing made packaging much more colourful and expressive with design becoming an integral part of the brand. The package’s visual elements of shape, colour, graphics and imagery helped provide an emotional connection with consumers.
Advent of plastic
The widespread adoption of plastics created a ‘use and throw away’ behaviour. The environmental impact of packaging waste soon became apparent. Sustainable packaging became a popular issue leading to initiatives such as the 3R’s (reuse, reduce, recycle), compostable and bio-based packaging. Now the focus is not only to reduce or eliminate packaging, but also to adopt circular economy practices and extended producer responsibility programs. Packaging is being developed for reuse or recycling with safe and efficient delivery of products to the consumer. Ironically, during World War II material shortage and conservation efforts resulted in recycling of cans as well as refilling and reusing of glass bottles.
Only basic safety programs for food processing were in place in 1940. Today strict regulations ensure food safety, with specific labelling requirements and standards for food contact materials. Food contact packaging materials and chemicals of concern continue to receive global attention regarding their negative health effects.
Currently, the safety of PFAS and microplastics are prominent issues.
Future of packaging
Packaging trends have followed food trends. Technologies such as the microwave led to the invention of microwaveable packaging. The desire for convenience has led to on-the-go packaging. The movement for a healthy lifestyle has been translated into package designs that are simplistic, yet provide consumers with product clarity and transparency. With the popularity of online shopping, packaging is a vital part of protection and delivery.
The future of packaging is being shaped by a convergence of regulatory changes, sustainability, technology and consumer demands. We will see the growth of active (anti-microbial) and intelligent packaging (track and trace, authentication, indicators of freshness), edible packaging, nanotechnology, bioplastics and digital integration (QR codes, NFC [near field communication] tags). Augmented reality is expected to enhance consumer experience by providing more information and interactivity. The focus on sustainability will not only influence packaging materials, but also encompass the entire process from design and production to disposal. Artificial intelligence applications will advance automation of production and supply chain operations. The future of packaging is indeed exciting with lots of innovative solutions on the horizon.
Carol Zweep is packaging researcher at Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab, Conestoga College.
This column was originally published in the Apr./May. 2025 issue of Food in Canada.
