Dive Brief:
- Cargill is debuting new packaging, developed by Bemis Company, that helps consumers avoid touching raw meat. It is the first brand in the world to offer packaging of this kind, ProFood World reported.
- The company's Our Certified 1-lb ground beef chubs will be the first to implement EZ Peel packaging, which will be available in U.S. retail stores starting January 2017. It is in response to a 2015 survey that showed more than half of customers wanted packaging they could open without having to touch raw meat.
- Cargill will also benefit from the packaging because, "EZ Peel packaging can be engineered with a custom peel strength and can be run like regular film on existing equipment for no machine downtime," according to ProFood World.
Dive Insight:
This demonstrates a meat processor and manufacturer's clear understanding and application of what consumers want from their food products and packaging. Many brands have embraced the concept of convenience in recent years, but not all have been successful, particularly if they don't listen to the specifications consumers demand.
Conducting a survey could be an effective way for manufacturers to determine what consumers want from brands and their packaging innovations. Several brands, such as PepsiCo's Mountain Dew and Mars' M&M's, have surveyed consumers for flavor variety innovations or the return of throwback brands. Packaging innovations are another clear feature manufacturers could improve by directly surveying consumers in the right context.