Long-term storage for food is a concern of many consumers who want to make sure they have adequate food supplies in case of an emergency. Food-grade metal tin has proven over time to be an effective packaging material for preserving food and other perishable items. Here's a look at why tin has been so common among food producers as a packaging choice.
A Top Choice for Food Storage
One of the main reasons tin is commonly used for food packaging is that it's very reliable at protecting food from outside contaminants while preserving freshness. Not only is tin a durable material that allows for years of shelf life, it's an air-tight solution that blocks out sunlight and bacteria. Additionally, it's highly water-resistant and rust-resistant. Due to its potential for long shelf-life, it reduces the pressure to sell the inventory quickly, which helps reduce waste.
Tin's Durability Contributes to its Sustainability
Another reason food producers turn to food-grade metal tin is that it helps promote sustainability on both economic and environmental levels. The durability of tin makes it ideal for surplus food storage, such as when one plans for a large gathering several months in advance. It allows party planners to have a flexible timeline. Tin is also commonly recycled and can be used over and over without loss of quality. These days promoting sustainability resonates well with shoppers of premium products.
A Cost-Effective Solution
Tin is a cost-effective solution for mass production of food products and solutions partly because there's usually an abundance of metal supply available to manufacturers. Using recycled tin helps reduce production costs. Since tin is so strong and durable, it's less likely to get damaged in the shipping process than cardboard, plastic or glass. That means less inventory goes to waste with greater potential to sell the entire inventory.
Tin Communicates Strength
Grocery shoppers learn over time that tin is so strong at preserving food that it's simply a superior packaging material compared with paper, plastic and cardboard. Its image as a strong material isn't questionable the way paper or plastic can be. The shiny quality of tin further contributes to its mystique as a superior packaging material.
Products Appropriate for Tin
Certain foods such as low-acid fruits and juices can be stored in tin containers for a few years without loss of freshness. Certain meats and seafood can last just as long in tin cans. Many foods can actually last as long as five years in tin cans. All food, however, eventually starts to lose its color and flavor after so much time. As long as the cans are stored at room temperature, tin is among the best materials to achieve long-term durability for stored food.
In terms of beverages, tin cans are a great choice because they are lightweight, making it easy to sell 6-packs or 12-packs. In terms of cooling beverages the fastest in the refrigerator, tin wins again versus paper, plastic or glass. But it's also true that tin will heat up faster in the sunlight than other materials. So if tin cans are used for a picnic, they should be stored in an ice chest.
Tin is also a top choice for packaging coffee and tea, as many consumers like the fact these containers can be useful for other purposes long after the product is depleted. They can be used to store fresh cookies or plenty of non-food items like pens, change or nuts and bolts.
Maximizing Tin Packaging
In addition to food-grade metal tin, the most protective packaging should include protective coatings and liners. There are various options to choose for these finishes, such as plastic polymer for sheet steel or lacquer/enamel liners. These coatings help create further barriers between the tin and the food contents and are added at the time a tin can is manufactured.
Since tin is a lightweight and versatile metal packaging material, it works well as a low-cost material for packaging prototypes. The container can take on any shape, but it's best that the shape matches consumer expectations. The design of the label covering the tin should also closely resonate with target customers. Depending on the product and the target market, consideration should be placed on the type of metal, such as tin or stainless steel, to be used for packaging. Premium products should be packaged in high-quality metal to correspond with solutions aimed at special markets.
