While home deliveries may have seen a surge due to dine-ins seeing sharp dips, Amit Bagga points out how innovative and safer food packaging methods are winning the trust of consumers

Disinfect most-touched spots, stay aware on how to protect yourselves and others around, follow physical distancing, wash hands and sanitise frequently, wear masks, step out only when necessary — these are some of the norms which became mandatory in 2020. However, no matter how much precautions we take at our end, there are certain external contacts which can’t be avoided. For example, packaged food products, given the fact that footfalls at restaurants have seen a sharp dip and online deliveries are becoming the new and more convenient dine-out. And when the mainstream selling channel went down, delivery did become the only option for food outlets to work on their businesses. And to survive in this competitive market, packaging is one thing food industry has been focussing upon with more creative ideas to build the trust of consumer.

And undeniably, the world of packaging has seen a prominent change. Following the best of safety measures, packaging food properly has become the most important segment in the food industry. However, the fear still lingers that the Coronavirus could reach our homes through home deliveries.

Well, a lack of complete awareness can be an issue here. Recently, a delivery boy tested positive in Delhi, who had delivered food packages to around 70 households. However, the families did not report any cases. It proved how the virus cannot be transferred through food unless one comes directly in contact with an infected person. As the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is highly unlikely that the virus can be transmitted through food.

Lack of this knowledge has impacted several businesses, making it tougher for the industry to survive. While this certainly came as big relief for the industry but it needed to reassure customers of the same. And hence, the process of packaging has become very important. The factors that are given utmost importance are:

Personal hygiene

Food handlers’ personal hygiene is critical to keep food safe for which hygiene measures like washing hands with soap or alcohol-based sanitisers, monitoring of body temperatures are being regularised. Workers are equipped with masks and gloves. Sanitisation norms are being stressed upon in kitchens and grocery stores strictly. It’s made sure that cooked food is not touched by bare hands. Right usage and discarding of PPE is being implemented strictly to ensure the safety of food packages. After the food is put into the container, all risks of attracting the virus are eliminated. The packet is sanitised and then put in the carry bag, which is also sanitised.

The cooked food and groceries are packed in an extra outer bag apart from the primary carry bag, which contains the items to add another layer of protection as and when they are dispatched. The delivery personnel’s temperature is being monitored regularly as a key measure. Downloading Arogya Setu app and marking the personnel green is helping keep a better track.

The order payment is now preferably not collected via cash on delivery but is online or prepaid. As the delivery personnel reaches a customer’s home, it is mandated that there will be no close contact. Many food delivery apps have also enabled an option for people to choose if they want their package to be left at their doorstep to avoid any contact with the delivery boy. If they don’t choose it, he will have to maintain a healthy seven meter distance. The customers are also given instructions on how to open a package.

This is a very important piece of information as it means building consumer faith to accept packaging without any doubts or fear. The customers are informed that their package has reached their doorstep and are advised to use disposable gloves while receiving it. The outer packaging to be discarded right outside. The customer should wear the gloves rightly and discard them after taking the cooked food out of the inner packaging and then sanitise hands to avoid any cross-contamination. It is important to reheat the food, which results in complete elimination of the risk to attract the virus.

Through these steps, customers are being educated. Any packaging would fail if these simple measures were not adopted to build customer trust back.

This is how restaurants and grocery store brands are now changing their positioning and getting more aligned towards safer food packaging and delivery. Social media has become the main channel of this communication. Perception and misinformation is changing the consumer behaviour but soon elimination of the virus transmission fear from packaging will bring a revolution in packaging and a much-needed positive change in the industry.

Look and feel

The focus is also on the nice, good-looking appearance of the packaging so that it provides a positive feel to the customer.

Taste and texture

For restaurants, the material used to prepare food that can retain a dish’s taste and texture is equally important. A customer that’s used to experience food at a dine-in now has to be given closest experience on delivery. A good and safe packaging will all lose their marks if the food doesn’t taste well.

Eco-friendly packaging

One-time use and Coronavirus-resistant packaging have become the new essentials. While over the last few years, eco-friendly has been the focus in packaging but today, the one-time use packaging is contradicting this concept of sustainability. So keeping this in mind, new eco-friendly, bamboo paper, non-toxic packaging containers are being worked upon. Customers are becoming more aware than before about anything that impacts immunity or raises health and environmental concerns.

For instance, Maharashtra has already banned packaging, which wasn’t eco-friendly. The new packaging material contain 51 microns, the ideal quantity. For safety, glass jars for condiments are also helpful as they’re eco-friendly, washable and can be brought to use in homes again. And remember, mitti-handis (mud containers)?

Thus, while the packaging industry has been evolving, material related to packaging are also finding a new face. Even a few healthcare companies are coming up with sanitisers specifically to be sprayed on delivery packages to ensure the disinfection of the packaged material. Well, one could say, packaging is only getting better!

(The author is co-founder, Daryaganj.)