New approaches to intelligent and active packaging are altering consumers’ experience of food products, adding interactivity to some and increasing palatability for others.
Definitions of intelligent (or smart) and active packaging abound. For the purposes of this article, “smart packaging” interacts with consumers — via smartphone, for instance. “Active packaging,” on the other hand, interacts with its own internal or external environment. In-pack odor-absorbing patches are in this camp.
Smart and active packages are finding a home in many product categories for applications ranging from the seriously fun to the decidedly serious. A fun and functional example comes from the Häagen-Dazs brand, which offers the Häagen-Dazs Concerto Timer app and companion packaging for all of its 14-oz. cartons of ice cream.
Definitions of intelligent (or smart) and active packaging abound. For the purposes of this article, “smart packaging” interacts with consumers — via smartphone, for instance. “Active packaging,” on the other hand, interacts with its own internal or external environment. In-pack odor-absorbing patches are in this camp.
Smart and active packages are finding a home in many product categories for applications ranging from the seriously fun to the decidedly serious. A fun and functional example comes from the Häagen-Dazs brand, which offers the Häagen-Dazs Concerto Timer app and companion packaging for all of its 14-oz. cartons of ice cream.