As today’s pet parents become increasingly concerned about the about the quality and safety of their pets’ food, higher quality packaging is a premium they’re willing to pay for. It’s not only an issue of perception; packaging has a significant influence on the safety and freshness of the product contained within.

Raw materials, venting, and closure technology may not be top-of-mind for your consumers, but when combined, these elements work together to provide a tactile experience that gives your customers peace-of-mind. When people can see and feel the quality of your packing, it gives them an instant sense that the product inside is high-quality as well.

Demand for Pet Food Packaging

Demand for pet food packaging is expected to rise significantly in 2017. Food Safety Magazine reports that by 2018, that demand will account for $2.8 billion in the US alone. This growth will be primarily based on the use of more sophisticated packaging technology, and higher-value materials. Premium pet food brands continue to demand high-value containers for superior graphic rendering and puncture resistance to reduce the likelihood of contamination.

As pet food manufacturers increase their demand for new package technologies, it is natural that some package types will fall out of favor. Traditional wet pet food packaging, such as cans, are gradually being phased out and replaced by pouches because they are easier to open and lighter to ship. Demand for pouch packaging is expected to increase 8.3 percent next year, by far the fastest growing segment amongst pet food packaging types.

Quality Closures Provide Peace-of-Mind

For the premium pet food manufacturer, increased food safety and increased consumer convenience go hand-in-hand. Packaging closures also factor into food-quality perception for your customers. Press-to-close is a popular option, but top slider closures offer greater peace of mind that pet foods are being protected from environmental variables such as moisture and pests.

Some premium pet food brands are also opting for hook-to-loop or hook-to-hook closures—the most important factor seems to be the overall experience of closing the package, with closure manufacturers spending a great deal of time and money to improve both the tactile and auditory experience of using their products. The more obvious the closing mechanism feels and sounds, the more consumers trust the closure and the overall package to keep contents safe.

Pet Food Packaging – Recent Recalls and Reasons

In the pet-food industry, recalls can be a threat to your public perception and ultimately, your bottom line. Popular dog food review site, Dog Food Advisor, has reported 18 pet food recalls so far in 2017, and while most are due to food quality and questionable ingredients, there are a number of recalls that are related to packaging failure in some way.

Recalls aren’t entirely avoidable, but the quality of your packaging can play an important role in ensuring that recalls don’t happen to your products. High-quality packaging isn’t just for show, it has a significant influence on the safety and freshness of the product contained within. The higher the quality of the packaging, the better it is at providing moisture barriers and preventing other environmental conditions that may result in contamination or spoilage, which are consistent reasons for product recalls.

Emmerson Packaging’s flexible packaging options like SmartPack™, SmartPack-BDG™, and PetPack-BDG™ provide the highest quality packaging for your product. You can read more about our rigorous safety practices that will give you the reassurance that your products will be well-protected in ours.

The premium pet food market is set to grow substantially in 2017-2018. If you’re ready to learn more about premium products like Emmerson Packaging’s PetPack-BDG™, our Project Central Team is waiting to talk to you. Click here to chat with them today!