Consumers are showing a growing readiness to use nanotechnology-based solutions in the food packaging industry, according to a study by the EU-funded NanoPack Project.
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The findings revealed that consumers were not concerned with the nanotechnology aspect of packaging
NanoPack is an EU-funded project which aims to develop and demonstrate solutions for extending food shelf life through using novel antimicrobial surfaces applied in active food packaging products.
Active food packaging technologies offer benefits to consumers and retailers, including increased food safety, extended shelf-life, improved freshness, and reduced food waste. In order to examine how end-users perceive nanotechnology and its benefits, the NanoPack Project conducted research on the acceptance of new active food packaging technologies among consumers and retailers.
NanoPack organised 10 focus groups and conducted in-depth interviews with consumers and retail managers in China, Spain, Italy, Denmark and Ireland. The findings revealed that consumers were not concerned with the nanotechnology aspect.
Pro-active
Interviewees expressed more concern over the inclusion of essential oils and the active nature of this technology, expressing fear that food products would become ‘contaminated’ or ‘altered’ after the active component was released in the packaging atmosphere.
Polymeros Chrysochou, Associate Professor at the Aarhus University of Denmark, who conducted the research alongside Assistant Professor Alexandra Festila, said: “The benefits of active packaging solutions are not always aligned in consumer minds. [F]or example, extending the shelf-life of a product and keeping its freshness seem to be a contradiction... Freshness is a rather vague promised benefit and people have different interpretations of it. They may perceive it in terms of the time passed from the production, where a shorter time equates a fresher food product. This means that consumers do not see a product with an extended shelf life as being necessarily fresh, since a longer time has passed since production.”
The research further indicated that retailers’ main concern was that new technologies should meet product safety criteria. Only after this has been resolved, can it be aligned with the strategy and internal processes of the company.
NanoPack will reveal the full findings of the research at the project’s annual meeting, which will be hosted by IVV Fraunhoferin Freising, Germany, between 19 and 21 February.
The meeting will be attended by members of NanoPack’s Advisory Board including Professor Lilia Ahrné of the University of Copenhagen and Professor Diána Bánáti.