The Save Food Packaging Design Special Award recognises companies that are working to minimise or prevent food waste from paddock to plate using innovative and intuitive design features that can contain and protect, preserve and extend shelf life, all the while meeting global sustainable packaging targets.
With Australia's End Food Waste movement starting to gather momentum, and with growing awareness of the food waste challenge the country is facing, packaging design to save food has a critical role to play.
And the winners are...
A High Commendation was awarded to Deli Cuts by Don Smallgoods (which also won gold in the Accessible & Inclusive design category).
The Bronze Award went to Dutch Cream Potatoes Red Gem by Red Gem Packers & Growers and The Packaging Hippie; while the Silver Award went to Naked Rivals.
And, topping the category with the Gold Award was
Cryovac Flexprep Portion Dispensing Pouches for McDonald`s Australia by Sealed Air Corporation (recently rebranded as SEE).
About the Gold winner:
Cryovac FlexPrep Portion Dispensing pouches, tailored for the food service sector, have garnered significant attention with their recent adoption by McDonald's Australia. The company says this innovative solution offers a more sustainable approach to packing, storing, and dispensing sauces across its range of Big Mac, McChicken and filet burger over traditional paper-based rigid cans.
FlexPrep pouches are designed to be used with a dispensing gun to dispense sauces and other condiments in precise portions, reducing the risk of overpouring or waste. The desired portion size can be adjusted via the dispenser.
Cryovac FlexPrep Portion Dispensing distributes condiments from pre-filled, flexible pouches by way of a mechanical dispensing unit. This innovative solution is easy to use, reduces prep time and provides up to 98 per cent yield – a significant improvement versus rigid containers.
The flexible pouches are formulated with excellent oxygen barrier properties to ensure condiments remain fresh, and flavour consistency is delivered for every burger.
The compact and stackable design of FlexPrep pouches allows for efficient storage in kitchens and refrigerators, optimising refrigeration space and reducing the likelihood of product spoilage.
The pack is lightweight and reduces packaging to landfill by 80 per cent, supporting McDonald's commitment to its sustainability goals.
To enable back of house efficiencies, Cryovac FlexPrep Portion Dispensing pouches are designed with a frangible seal that opens up when compression is applied to that point via the dispensing unit. While this knife-free opening feature facilitates operator ease and workplace efficiencies it remains unaffected from the forces/vibrations experienced across the supply chain and does not compromise pack integrity.
The purposefully designed carton in which the pouches are packed offers added protection for the integrity of the frangible seal – ensuring it can withstand nominated stacking weights and crush performance parameters.
Unlike rigid cardboard canister formats, which require the lid to be removed to access the product, FlexPrep Portion Dispensing limits the product's exposure to air while dispensing. By doing so, waste due to oxygen related spoilage (off colour / flavour) is minimised.
