Raw Milk & Pasteurization: Debunking Milk Myths
While pasteurization has helped provide safe, nutrient-rich milk and cheese for over 120 years, some people continue to believe that pasteurization harms milk and that raw milk is a safe healthier alternative.
Here are some common myths and proven facts about milk and pasteurization:
- Pasteurizing milk DOES NOT cause lactose intolerance and allergic reations. Both raw milk and pasteurized milk can cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to milk proteins.
- Raw milk DOES NOT kill dangerous pathogens by itself.
- Pasteurization DOES NOT reduce milk's nutritional value.
- Pasteurization DOES NOT mean that it is safe to leave milk out of the refrigerator for extended time, particularly after it has been opened.
- Pasteurization DOES kill harmful bacteria.
- Pasteurization DOES save lives.

(Source : www.fda.gov)

Raw Milk and Serious Illness
Symptoms and Advice
Symptoms of foodborne illness include:

• Vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain
• Flulike symptoms such as fever, headache, and body ache

While most healthy people will recover from an illness caused by harmful bacteria in raw milk - or in foods made with raw milk - within a short period of time, some can develop symptoms that are chronic, severe, or even life-threatening.
If you or someone you know becomes ill after consuming raw milk or products made from raw milk - or, if you are pregnant and think you could have consumed contaminated raw milk or cheese - see a doctor or healthcare provider immediately.
The Dangers of Listeria and Pregnancy :
Pregnant women run a serious risk of becoming ill from the bacteria Listeria which can cause miscarriage, fetal death or illness or death of a newborn. If you are pregnant, consuming raw milk - or foods made from raw milk, such as Mexican-style cheese like Queso Blanco or Queso Fresco - can harm your baby even if you don't feel sick.

rHDPE milk bottles, now possible...

Plastic packaging specialist Nampak is looking to trial milk bottles with 30% recycled content after a university study found that 50% recycled content was a feasible target for HDPE milk bottles. Nampak commissioned the University of Bradford’s Centre for Advanced Materials Engineering to assess the impact of various proportions of recycled content on processability and the functionality of the material. Researchers concluded that the use of recycled material created very similar properties to the virgin grades.
James Crick, Nampak business development manager, said the research confirmed the firm's confidence in reaching the 50% target. "This is a significant step forward and we now plan to conduct our own blow-moulding trials using 30% rHDPE to replicate the experimental work under manufacturing conditions," said Crick. Using post consumer food grade rHDPE pellets, the experimental work assessed the properties of blends of virgin HDPE with between 10% and 50% rHDPE, and also quantified the effects on material properties of five thermal cycles through an extruder.

The researchers concluded that the recyclate grades studied had very similar properties – including flow behaviour, quality and molecular and chemical structure – to the virgin materials.

Innovative Packaging

Clean..simple...striking... wining the moment of truth indeed..!

The future of packaging

The future of packaging
Leading ‘Futurists’ Jennifer Jarratt and John B. Mahaffie look at a future where digitization will open up major opportunities for label converters at the interface of brand and consumer
Scenario A: Anti-packaging riots - Thousands of angry consumers storm big box stores in US cities, tossing blood onto products in clamshell packaging after an eight-year-old girl nearly dies from severing an artery when trying to open a toy package. Police force rioters out of the stores, arrest hundreds.
Scenario B: Twitter drives green action - Millions of ‘netizens’, stirred to action in Europe and the US by a flood of tweets and Facebook messages, refuse to buy products that aren’t minimally packaged and don’t meet green standards.
Which scenario is more likely in the future? Neither, of course, except that consumers are increasingly uneasy about package safety and need for packaging. They have new tools in social networks to act on those fears. Packaging is a visible target for consumers and regulators concerned about sustainability, waste, safety, convenience and cost.
Meanwhile, packaging gains new capabilities. Digital technology brings efficiency, product adaptability, and economical short runs in printing and manufacturing. It is connecting design with consumer inputs and rapid prototyping. Soon package intelligence will be extended to the consumer’s hands. For example, smart pharmaceutical packages track when patients push their tablets through the foil backing.
Packaging will not go away, or be driven away. Modern lives would be difficult without packaging. It will be critical to make that case. The package can connect and coordinate activity from production information to inventory, through the logistical system to retail. It links consumers to information they need, and can identify the package’s recyclability. RF tags or barcodes can even signal which producer is responsible for reclaiming the package materials.
So what are the forces and factors likely to drive changes in packaging over the next few years? Here are a few:
Conflicting consumer attitudes and behavior – consumers are more frugal and there is more hostility to what people consider 'over'-packaging, but most would be unhappy without the convenience of packaged goods.
Sustainability – how low (carbon) can we go? Packaging has plucked the low-hanging fruit of the easiest lo-carbon adaptations. The next decade will demand bigger changes in processes and systems. Expect greatly reduced materials used in packaging, and goals of 80 or 90 percent recovery. Digitization and automation will enable comprehensive recovery and re-use of packaging materials. For example, robotic waste bins could sort recyclables from trash and harvest compostables automatically.
Regulation – could be provoked by consumer action, however safety and the push to limit carbon emissions and curb waste are the primary drivers. Regulation from the strictest jurisdictions will influence what happens around the world, and bears close monitoring.
Digitization – the digital revolution is overturning print media, hitting newspapers especially hard. With the burden of brand attraction and information moving more onto the package, converters may become a dominant producer of paper-based information. Eventually, consumers will get most product information online by scanning the package barcode or RF tag with their phone or tablet computer, and linking to online information.
Retail – digitization will shape retail as consumers use sophisticated online tools to buy. Shipping packaging becomes a norm. Digital technology, such as packaging that interacts with a cell phone, can also enhance brick and mortar retail by giving the shopper instant access to reviews and information, enabling instant offers and coupons, and perhaps telling the product’s story with images and sound.
The economy – the current focus on price and value can enable producers to pare away what matters less for consumers, and focus on what matters more. It looks like the new frugality—at least some of our new habits – could be here to stay.
These forces of change drive new challenges, but also new opportunities for packaging. We are at a moment of potential redefinition of the value of packaging, embrace of new technology, especially digital, and with an opportunity to redefine and reframe what packaging means for the consuming public.

New Sustainable Packaging Guidelines

Whole Foods Market has rolled out new responsible packaging guidelines to all of its more than 2,100 body care and supplement suppliers companywide. All new body care and supplement suppliers must meet the packaging guidelines before their products can be sold in one of the company’s more than 300 locations in the U.S., Canada and the U.K.
To spearhead the change, the supermarket chain has switched to 100 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content bottles for several of its store-brand supplements and 365 brand body care items are packaged in bottles with 50 percent PCR content HDPE (high-density polyethylene).
A recent study from Global Industry Analysts projects that the global market for sustainable packaging will reach $142.42 billion by 2015.
Whole Foods has been working with 25 of its largest personal care product suppliers on the new guidelines since 2008, which went into effect on September 1, 2009. Suppliers were given one year to transition to more eco-friendly packaging.
The guidelines mandate that suppliers reduce the use of plastic in product packaging, encourage the switch to glass when possible, limit acceptable packaging materials to those that are easily reused or recycled, and/or feature the highest percentage of PCR content.
While the switch to PCR bottles began last September, the company expects to switch all of its house-brand Whole Body products, which now use amber plastic PET No. 1 bottles, to PCR packaging by late 2010. The new bottles bear a leaf symbol indicating that they are made from 100 percent PCR plastic.
Whole Foods also is supporting food suppliers that offer compostable packaging. The supermarket chain now offers Boulder Canyon Natural Food’s All Natural Kettle Cooked Potato Chip line that come in compostable packaging made from wood pulp at select stores.

Unilever Initiative.

Packaging innovation
Innovative packaging design is an important factor in the success of products.
The hanger format packaging for our new Pepsodent Smart Clean toothbrushes increases brushes' visibility in the small and crowded stores and street stalls where they are typically sold in Asia. The design allows the shopkeeper to keep track of his stock easily. Less wastage on primary and secondary packaging eliminates unnecessary costs, enabling us to produce the brushes at a price that will attract new users.
By creating more lightweight plastic containers we can also cut down on the overall amount of packaging material used. We use leading-edge computer-aided engineering technology to help us.
Rexona currently offers one of the most environmentally friendly 50ml roll-on deodorants available on the market. A radical rethink of its design and manufacture has shown how our R&D expertise in responsible packaging can lead to both environmental and business benefits. The moulding, assembly and packaging processes were streamlined and energy efficiency improved, with the resulting roll-on weighing on average 8% less and using 1 000 tonnes less plastic per year than previously. The time needed to make the cap was cut by 34% and the time to make the bottle was reduced by 8%, leading to significant energy savings.

Innovative Bottle

Bottle is blow moulded in PP/EVOH/PP to provide long-term barrier protection for extended shelf life, with contact clear PP to help enhance product appearance on shelf.
RPC Containers in Corby, UK, reports that its Orion headstand bottle from has proved the ideal packaging for Macphie's range of delicious, versatile OTT (Over The Top) Dessert Toppings.
Whilst Macphie is already a leading supplier of UHT sweet and savoury sauces and desserts packed in Tetrapak to the foodservice sector, OTT represents a major departure for the company as it is its first major branded launch of an ambient product range.
Aimed at the on-premise market, including pubs, hotels and restaurants, the OTT range comprises a variety of highly versatile toppings that can provide a finishing touch to countless desserts.
Six indulgent flavours - chocolate, toffee, butterscotch, raspberry, strawberry and lemon - are being launched in response to consumer demand for products containing fewer artificial ingredients.
Finding the right packaging format was critical to communicating the premium value of the toppings, whilst maintaining the convenience essential to the foodservice sector.
"Many containers in the food service sector are merely functional," explained Macphie general manager, Neil Coull.
"We wanted something that combined optimum convenience, a long shelf life and an attractive appearance - and the Orion bottle suited our requirements perfectly".
The Orion's headstand format is ideal for the products to ensure ease of dispense, which is further assisted by the choice of a 'stay clean' cap from Seaquist Closures.
In addition, the Orion's squeezability makes the bottle easy to use regardless of age or skill, something Macphie was keen to promote.
"Who adds the toppings varies depending on the establishment," confirmed Coull.
"Whilst usually kitchen staff will be in charge, sometimes it may be entrusted to front of house staff, or even - for example a restaurant where children are encouraged to make their own ice cream - the consumers themselves".
The Orion bottle is blow moulded in PP/EVOH/PP to provide long-term barrier protection for extended shelf life, with contact clear PP to help enhance product appearance on shelf.
Its wide labelling area has provided Macphie with the opportunity to maximise branding with distinctive front and back labels.
Different coloured caps provide further differentiation for the six flavours currently produced.
RPC Corby worked closely with Macphie to ensure optimum compatibility between the topping formulations, the bottle and the cap.
"The technical support RPC has given throughout the development process underlines the quality of the bottle itself, helping to give O.T.T the premium image it deserves," Neil Coull concludes.

With Freinds at World Packaging Conference.

What makes a great brand

A new-age fable says that you can leave behind your brands' five-year plans in the business class seat of your aircraft, your competitor, sitting two rows behind can pick it up and take it to his office, and you can still beat your competitor if you implement and execute your plans.
Most plans do not get executed. And it is not difficult to guess what your competitor's plans are over the next five years. But the million-dollar question is, will they be able to execute the plan? To this is the corollary, how will they adapt their execution to the changes in the market environment?
The premium soap Liril was originally test marketed in early 70s as a blue colour soap cake. Finally, it got launched as a green soap, based on customer feedback. Interestingly, in 2002, Liril was relaunched as an 'icy blue' soap.
Sundrop cooking oil was launched in a 1 litre PET bottle and economy packs came only three years after launch. The company was worried that a pouch pack would dilute the premium appeal of the brand.
Dettol Soap was launched in 1981 as a light yellow soap, positioned as a 'love and care soap'. After the poor response, the company took a few years to regroup and relaunch the brand in a green wrapper, as a germicidal soap on the '100% bath' platform.
Brand execution is about constantly keeping an eye on the various parameters that make up the brand offering:
· Is the product quality just right? Can it be improved? Global FMCG major P&G launches a new product only if it scores 51% on blind product test over its nearest rival.
· Is the pricing competitive? Should it be lower? Higher?
Indian consumers look for value even in prestige products. The brand has to rationalise the price premium through emotional or experiential means .
· Is the place right for the brand? Should new distribution avenues be explored?
Eureka Forbes created a unique direct selling model to market vacuum cleaners in India. Cease Fire appliances tried emulating this model in the late 90s but after a few years could not sustain the momentum.
· Is the 'promotion' mix right?
Not all performance problems can be fixed with a new advertising-promotion campaign. But as Santoor discovered, a new campaign (focusing on skin care benefit) turned the fortunes of the brand in late 80s, early 90s .
· Is the packaging right? Are there other options?
Frooti from Parle, exploited the tetrapak packaging medium to create a new space in the soft drink market. Cadbury's Appela, launched five years earlier may have had a better chance if it had used a different packaging form, instead of returnable glass bottles.
· Is the profit plan in place? Should it be modified?
India is a large market with a large consumption appetite. But MNCs have discovered that it is not a cakewalk. While most companies plan for a two to five year gestation period for a brand, how valid are these assumptions in a changing-growing market? ...
· What 'people' or 'service' support does the brand need?
While the seven factors listed under brand execution are not exhaustive, these form a key framework for the brand offer.
They are also not mutually exclusive parameters. As an old adage goes, the Indian consumer will want everything 'Sasta, Sundar, and Tikau' (economical, beautiful and long lasting). Marketers have to balance this S-S-T needs of the consumer with the organisation's obligation to the stakeholders and shareholders.
Brand execution elements will change in importance as one moves from an FMCG to a durable to a service. While the product/service offer, price, distribution, location/place, and promotion will continue to be important, the service or people component will become paramount for a service brand like a hotel or a department store. Durable brands too are becoming more and more service driven.
Product offer
Brands depending on the product/service category will have to offer features that are de rigueur (point of parity) of the category, while they have differences in the offering (point of difference). Sometimes the PODs are in the price, or place. But most successful brands offer a POD in the product offer as well:
· Ayurvedic soap Chandrika, is made through a special 'cold-press' method
· Liril was the first soap to offer a marble texture
· Lifebuoy hand-wash was the first liquid soap
· Hyundai Santro was the first small car to offer a Multi Point Fuel Injection (MPFI) petrol engine
· Kinetic Honda was the first modern age scooter with a button start
· Onida was the first colour TV with a sleek looking vertical format.
The examples are numerous, and often it is the easiest solution to go with a me-too product. Or at times, launch a brand with a product difference that is too small to be noticed, JNND (Just not noticeable difference). The danger in these approaches is that the brand starts with no real difference in product offer terms. The onus of creating a difference now vests on the other legs, a more difficult task.
Price offer
The brand price offer can also be played using different packaging forms:
· Chik and Velvette shampoos used the pouch pack to build brand attraction at a low price point of 50 paise.
· Anchor white toothpaste has large packs at attractive prices to gain brand loyalty. The pricing strategy for a brand can also be driven by the gaps in the market:
· Nirma Beauty Soap was priced at Rs. 7 per 100 gmsa price point below Lux but above 150 gms Lifebuoy on a gram per gram basis. ....
Price is the single most important dimension in the value driven Indian market. Brands have met with sudden deaths with ill timed price increases:
· In the 80s Chiclets Chewing Gum moved its price from lOp (for 2) to 25p. As against an anticipated drop of 50% in sales volume, the brand sales dropped by 90%.
· In a replay of sorts, Halls in the 90s moved its price from 50p to 75p to meet with a similar fate.
The rapid growth of motorcycles in the late 90s were contributed to by the narrowing price difference between scooters and entry level motor cycles.
Quartz watches' sales benefitted with launch of Titan and its price value offer, backed by the Tata guarantee. In spite of the initial fear that the Indian consumer will be loath to buying batteries every year, the company's pioneering effort to ensure affordable batteries paid off in a revolution on Indian wrists.
Place offer
How will the brand reach the consumer's hands? How many hands will it pass through? Where will it be retailed?
How is the brand presented at the dealer outlet?
Does the place add to the brand value?
Tata Motors when they made their play for the growing Indian small car market consciously set up an entirely new dealer network, distinct from the Tata truck dealers. The company re-organised that while utility vehicles like Tata Sumo could be sold through commercial vehicle dealers, a passenger car buying family man will be very hesitant to enter a truck showroom.
Raymond's secret strength is their 250+ authorised dealers. Each is a handpicked dealer offering a 'Raymond' buying experience including tailoring and readymade apparel. Park Avenue and Parx (and Color Plus which was acquired in 2002) are the readymade brands from Raymonds enjoying the tremendous advantage of instant distribution presence across the country. ...
So retail outlets may not just be selling points but can be a big vehicle for carrying forward the brand message.
Promotion offer
How will the brands be promoted? How will the brands message reach the prospects?... A new brand will need to attract trial. That calls for free sampling or trial offers. Once the brand gains momentum, free trials can be reduced.
When Johnson &Johnson was trying to sell sanitary napkins in India in the mid-70s, they found the only way to discuss such a sensitive topic was on a woman to woman basis. So they put together a large team of sales promoters who went door-to-door. This gave the brand Stayfree a toehold and the product category, the initial user base. The programme has now been dropped, as the core user base has been created. The company may still want to run 'educational' programmes at girls' schools and colleges.