Bottled and Jarred Packaged Goods | Pros and Cons

by Abbas Jahangir · June 4, 2022

People have been using bottled and jarred packaged goods for a long time. Even before our era, glass vessels were used in Ancient Egypt and Syria. Bottled production technology has not changed much over time. That all changed in 1901 after the first automatic bottle-making machine was patented, which gave impetus to the development of the mass production of bottled and jarred packaged goods. Glass containers for household chemicals are widely used.

Today, a wide variety of types of food packaging can be found on the market. Although it is true that one model or another is chosen depending on the product to be packed, they all have a common objective, which is none other than to protect food.

This is the main function of packaging, although also, as the years have passed, they have adopted other very useful, both for jar manufacturer and for consumers.

Recently, in our country, glass containers were the predominant option for packaging various liquids. Nowadays, this situation has changed and glass jars and bottles now have rivals – combined cardboard bags, metal cans and plastic bottles. However, despite the competition, custom glass bottle are in demand in the packaging industry. Bottled and jarred packaged goods have been popular with food and medical product manufacturers for many years. What are the benefits that appeal to consumers?

Advantages of bottled and jarred packaged goods

Hygienic – glass does not affect the contents, does not oxidize, does not emit harmful chemicals. Products in it can be thermally hermetically packaged and kept from spoilage.

A wide assortment – constantly expanding in accordance with the wishes of manufacturers, customers, designers, developers.

Transparency – the buyer can consider the color consistency of the contents of the glass container before purchasing.

Eco-friendly – subject to glass recycling. Its production and processing is perfect, only organic raw materials are used – sand soda dolomite.

Disadvantages of bottled and jarred packaged goods

Minus glass is a rather heavy material. This complicates the work of unloading, manually loading goods in glass containers in comparison with goods in other packaging (plastic, paper, etc.). Glass containers are rather fragile packaging. Products packed in bottles are more expensive. For some types of bottle packaging, manufacturers often put forward quality requirements. In the production of products, it is important to reduce the percentage of breakage and substandard goods, high quality characteristics of glass containers. Increasing requirements lead to an increase in the cost, ultimately, the price of the finished product rises.

In the production of bottles and jars, individualization is achieved through design – this makes the product attractive, emphasizes the elitism of the product. The potential buyer recognizes the product by its appearance and appearance – in the end, the final consumer decides to buy the product packed in glass.

The advantages of bottled and jarred packaged goods far outweigh the disadvantages, making the glass jar the best choice for the food and medical market. Bottled and jarred packaged goods increases consumer confidence in the brand and is also considered a guarantee of good product quality.

The importance of bottled and jarred packaged goods packaging

The bottles and jars are in charge of preventing the products from being damaged, of extending their shelf life as much as possible or isolating the food from the environmental factors that may affect it. Likewise, they have also become a great resource to inform the consumer, offering data of great importance for their consumption such as the ingredients, the way of preservation, the nutritional information or how to take it, among other things.

Depending on the food you want to package or the purpose of the packaging for the products, you can choose between different types of packaging. It is convenient to choose the material well so that the food does not suffer damage or its quality is altered.

Types of bottled and jarred packaged goods

Plastic bottles

Advantages: it is a very versatile material, for this reason, it is used for a wide variety of foods and can be modified for practically any design. In this way, it can be adapted to the product to be protected. The best known are jars, bottles, bags, trays or even cases. As a general rule, in the industry, plastic containers are widely used both to protect products and to transport or distribute them, although it has innumerable disadvantages. Plastic is not a material resistant to high temperatures, and it easily absorbs food odors and flavors.
Disadvantages: the biggest disadvantage is its impact on the environment: plastic is not a biodegradable material and although this type of material can be recycled, once it has been recycled it cannot be used again for human consumption. Some examples are cheese containers, beverage bottles, meat trays, or yogurt cups.

Cardboard packaging

Advantages: one of the main characteristics of cardboard is lightness and resistance, and it is fully recyclable. It is commonly used to store, present and ship food, and can be molded to fit any format. Typically, they are found in products such as takeout food, fruit or vegetable boxes, tubs of nuts, condiment tubes or boxes of frozen food.
Disadvantages: cardboard is not a resistant material and needs the help of another material to preserve any food. It is also a highly absorbent material, and therefore easily transfers moisture and water to its contents.

Metal Containers

Advantages: The metal favors that the container can have a hermetic closure that helps to preserve the food over time. These containers are quite useful to protect the product, therefore, metal is usually chosen for canned foods. The main format found with metal is the packaging can, in which you can store fish, fruits, vegetables or patés, among others.
Disadvantages: metal containers are difficult to store, and some types of metal containers, such as steel, are vulnerable to the effects of corrosion, causing deterioration of the metal.

Glass containers

Advantages: glass containers have two advantages, on the one hand, that they never rust and, on the other, their impermeability to gases. This type of container does not have additives for better conservation and it can also be reused thanks to its resistance to high temperatures. If it is washed and sterilized it can last much longer as a packaging, and of course, it must be added that it can also be recycled.
Disadvantages: you can talk about its price, since glass containers are much more expensive. Some clear examples of foods or products that use this type of packaging are beer or jam

Wooden packaging

Advantages: it is a very resistant material that also withstands conservation very well. Normally, wood is used to pack liquids such as oil, beer or wine, among others. According to experts, this material is ideal for this type of product since it preserves the flavor and quality of the same much better. Similarly, fruits and vegetables can also be packed in wooden boxes, just as they are used to present gourmet-type products.
Disadvantages: Wood requires more space for storage and can be quite expensive compared to other types of packaging

Paper packaging

Advantages: paper is a lightweight, cheap and biodegradable material. Its most common use is the carton for food.
Disadvantages: it is a not very resistant material, but it usually gives good results for certain products. Paper packaging is mainly seen in foods such as sugar or salt packets, or bags of flour.

Aluminum Containers

Advantages: without a doubt, it is one of the most common materials in the sector, since it is very economical and also very simple to manufacture. The great advantage of these packages is that they can be obtained from recycled items, also taking into account that they are quite safe and tend to extend the useful life of food quite a bit.

The aluminum is found in the closure of the plastic trays or also on the inside of the bags. It adapts to practically any shape and size and is used mainly for pre-cooked meals or foods that are to be consumed almost immediately.

Disadvantages: aluminum containers are expensive, and can deteriorate or deform during handling. Liquids can cause the internal material to deteriorate.

In the hospitality sector there are many types of bottled and jarred packaged goods that are chosen depending on the food that you want to preserve. The most common materials are plastic, aluminum or cardboard, although there are other containers that are used for food in particular, also taking into account the function they perform.

Abbas Jahangir

I am a passionate food enthusiast, health advocate, and researcher dedicated to inspiring others to lead healthier and happier lives through the power of food and nutrition. As the owner of foodstrend.com, I share a wealth of knowledge and expertise on a variety of topics, including culinary delights, nutrition insights, kitchen hacks, and fitness tips. With a background in nutrition science, I bring a unique blend of expertise and creativity to every article, recipe, and piece of content shared on the website. As a dedicated researcher, I am committed to staying abreast of the latest scientific developments and evidence-based practices in the field of food and nutrition, ensuring that readers receive accurate and up-to-date information. When not immersed in research or experimenting in the kitchen, I enjoy exploring new cuisines, staying active outdoors, and sharing my love of food with family and friends. Join me on a journey of culinary discovery and wellness inspiration as I continue to spread joy and positivity through my passion for food and health.