Analysis of canned food packaging: the mystery behind the foreigners' favourite

In the global food market, canned food occupies a unique position, especially in the dietary structure of foreign consumers, canned food is a common table regulars. In the United States, for example, the annual per capita consumption of canned food reaches 90kg, Europeans have 50kg, and the Japanese are 23kg. Foreigners love canned food is the result of a variety of factors, and canned food packaging plays a vital role in it.

First, the historical evolution of canned food packaging and technological innovation

At the beginning of the 19th century, French inventor Nicolas Appel invented canned food, initially using glass jars and cork, followed by Englishman Peter Durand, who applied tin cans to canning packaging, solving the problem of fragile glass and opening up the metal era of canned food packaging. in the middle of the 19th century, the emergence of tinplate cans further improved canning's preservation performance and convenience. With the development of technology, two-piece aluminium cans were born, which are lighter in weight and the easy-to-open design greatly enhances the consumer experience. At the same time, the progress of welding technology and sealing technology, so that the sealing and safety of cans has been a qualitative leap, effectively extending the shelf life of food.

Second, the advantages of can packaging

(A) excellent freshness and shelf life performance

Canned food packaging using sealing process, after the food is loaded into the can, through the exhaust and sealing process, so that the formation of a vacuum environment inside the can, effectively isolate oxygen and microorganisms, to prevent food oxidation and deterioration. Taking canned fruits as an example, the colour, taste and nutrients of fruits can be maintained for a long time under sealed packaging. This kind of freshness and quality preservation performance allows consumers to taste food of stable quality no matter when and where they are.

(ii) Diversified packaging materials to meet multiple needs

Tinplate cans are the most classic packaging materials for cans, which are inexpensive, high strength, easy to form, and have good corrosion resistance, and can effectively protect the food inside. Glass cans are transparent and intuitive, consumers can directly see the state of the food inside the can, and the glass material is chemically stable, will not be chemically reacted with the food, the impact on the food flavour is minimal, commonly used in canned fruits, jams and other products. Aluminium cans are lightweight, easy to carry, canned beverages and some lightweight food cans in a wide range of applications. In recent years, the rise of soft can packaging, such as cooking bag, which is made of multi-layer composite materials, light weight, small size, fast heat transfer and other advantages, not only to shorten the sterilization time, reduce the loss of food nutrients, but also convenient for consumers to open and eat, in the field of ready-to-eat food, canned meat products are highly favoured.

(C) Convenience and practicality

The design of can packaging takes full account of convenience. The emergence of easy-open cans allows consumers to easily open cans without the use of additional tools to enjoy food anytime, anywhere. The feature of canned food being ready to eat with the lid open fits the fast-paced lifestyle of foreigners and saves cooking time. Whether you are having an outdoor picnic, travelling, or on a busy working day, canned food can quickly provide energy and nutrition. Moreover, canned food is packaged in various shapes and sizes, which is easy to store and carry, and convenient for consumers to choose according to their own needs.

(iv) Affordability

From the perspective of production costs, the materials and production process of canned food packaging are relatively mature and cost-controlled. In terms of food preservation, canned food packaging can effectively reduce food waste due to deterioration, and in the long run, reduce the consumer's food procurement costs. In some regions, the price of canned food is significantly lower than that of fresh food, especially during the non-food production season or when the supply of fresh ingredients is insufficient, canned food becomes a more economical choice.

Third, the canned food packaging and cultural and consumer habits of the fit

In Western culture, canned food is closely linked to family and party scenes. From the Second World War as an important part of the military food, to become a daily family reserve and party food, canned food carries a specific cultural memory. In Europe and the United States, people are used to purchasing large quantities of food for storage at one time, and the long shelf life and stable quality of canned food make it an ideal choice. Moreover, the rich variety of canned food can meet the taste needs of different family members, and become an important supplement to the family diet.

Foreigners love canned food, and the advantages of canned food packaging are an important factor. With the continuous development and innovation of packaging technology, canned food packaging will continue to play a key role in the global food market and promote the sustainable development of the canned food industry.