Field Trip Visit to Sovereign Supermarket on June 1,2014.

by

DeLissa Balgobin

Food Packaging

FAPT6401

Prof. M.Pascal

June 16, 2014

Department of Chemistry

University of the West Indies

Title : Visit to Sovereign Supermarket , June 1 2014

Introduction

Sovereign supermarket is located in Liguanea, St Andrew at the Sovereign Centre. It caters to an

upper class clientele. There is an in store bakery and pharmacy as part of the supermarket. The

supermarket offers a wide ranges of products across various product categories including Fruits

and vegetables, dairy products, meats, beverages and baked goods. The products on the shelves

are both locally made as well as imported products. The purpose of this visit was to examine the

different packaging techniques and technologies currently employed across the various product

categories.

Categories of Food

1.Fruits and vegetables

Fresh

The supermarket has a wide selection of fresh fruits and vegetables. These were either found in

the chillers or on the shelves near to the chillers. The products were packaged into portion

controlled sizes or into were found large plastic tubs and containers. Oranges in polypropylene

bags were observed with holes punctured in the bag. This is to aid in respiration of the fruits.

This is due to the fact that the oranges were located on shelves at ambient temperature.

Conversely fruits were seen in the chilled section in bags and containers without holes. A major

reason for this is due to the fact that the temperature drop decreases the respiration rate.

Apples with wax coatings were observed in large tubs as well as packaged in groups of 3.

Reasons for this include that these tactics aims to target various sectors of the market. Packaged

apples can be for small families while individual apples allows the shopper the opportunity to

select apples which are not multiples of three. (refer to Photo 1)

Photo 1: Packaged and unpackaged apples

Another fruit that was found in large tubs was papaya.(Refer to Photo 2 This was done to reduce

the chance of bruising. Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries and grapes were seen to be

packaged in clamshell type packaging made of PET type materials. This type of packaging

serves to aid in both transport and display of the fruits since theses products can be bruised

easily.

Photo 2: Papaya in tubs

Fresh cut vegetables in pouches were also observed. These were processed by local suppliers.

This product was found in the chilled storage section. The pouch material uses microperforated

bags to control the rate of respiration. This package uses a modified atmosphere type package in

which there is increased carbon dioxide and decreased oxygen in attempt to extend shelf life.

This is due to the increased surface area which poses more of an area for respiration to occur.

Another fresh vegetabole , pakchoi , was observed in bags with no seals. This could be to reduce

the possibility of damage to the leaves.

Through out this section examples of portion control was seen in which the supermarket

determined the size of the vegetable portion being sold. For example long beans were sold in

bundles ,corn on the cob were packaged into pairs, garlic was packaged 5 or 6 in a plastic nets.

(Refer to Photo 3)

Photo 3: Portion controlled Corn

Frozen

There were examples of imported frozen vegetables and fruits as well frozen vegetables’ which

were packaged by the supermarket. There was a distinct difference in the packaging. The

imported packages were colourful and branded and packed in re-sealable pouches. (refer to

Photo 4) The locally packed vegetables were packed in trays with a plastic film made of

possibly polypropylene.

Photo 4: Imported frozen vegetables

Processed

The processed vegetables were found in the canned section. In this packaging technique , the

vegetables were placed into 2 or 3 piece lacquered cans and sealed before being retorted. This

process renders the vegetables in the can, commercially sterile with an extended shelf life than

typical fresh vegetables. Popular vegetables which are treated like this are carrots, callaloo and

ackee. This packaging technique serves to exclude oxygen from the can which can cause growth

of microorganisms.

2. Dairy Products

Fluid milk

The majority of fluid milk observed on the shelves were shelf stable UHT products. This

products were found in tetra pak packaging which is seen as composite layer packaging in which

each layer has been specially incorporated to protect against external factors such as light, dust or

microorganisms. These packages had pulltab openings or screw top opening to ease in

functionality of the package. The packages were brick shaped which aided in its stackability.

(refer to Photo 5)

Photo 5: Fluid UHT milk in Brik packages.

Cheese

There were many types of cheeses on the shelves. The quality and brands of cheese serve to

reinforce the fact that the supermarket caters to an upscale clientele. Cheese was seen packaged

in various forms including blocks, wedges, shredded, grated and in individually wrapped sticks.

Most of the blocks of cheese were vacumm packed. The shredded cheeses were in resealable

pouches while the grated cheese was seen in PET bottles. (refer to Photo 6)

Photo 6 : different packaging of Cheeses.

Yogurt and Pudding

There was a variety of local and international brands of yogurt and pudding. These were found in

polymer based cups and tubs. Some products had aluminium lids while a few also had plastic

lids as well. It was observed that these products were very brightly coloured and that all were

packaged as single use products. Some brands opted to sell their products in groups of 4 while

others opted to sell them singly. A new packaging technique observed was upright standing

pouches with screw caps. This product appears to be targeting on the go consumers. (refer to

Photo 7 )

Photo 7: Yogurts in tubs and upstanding pouches

Butter

There were many brands of butter or margarine on display. These were found in the chilled

section of the super market. There were local and international brands represented here. The

packaging for these products included metallised paper packages as well as polymer based tubs.

These tubs featured lids made of the same materials. Some tubs featured further protection by

way of metallised paper films applied to the top of the container. (refer to Photo 8)These

mechanisms are in place to extend shelf life since oxidation reactions can occur due to the high

fat content.

Photo 8: Butter in sticks and in tubs.

Ice cream

There were several brands of ice cream seen on display. There were many different packaging

methods observed. Some brands opted to put their products in wax coated paperboard tubs or

metallised polymer pouches while other companies placed their products in polymer based

(HDPE) buckets and tubs. The difference in material choice seemed to relate to product . Larger

quantities were observed in the polymer based materials while smaller individual servings were

contained in the paperboard or metallised polymer pouches.(refer to Photo 9 & 10) It must be

noted that all the packaging were translucent or opaque in order to block out light. This is to

reduced and reactions caused by light since ice cream typically has high milk fat content.

Photo 9: Larger servings of ice cream

Photo 10: Individual servings of ice cream products.

3. Meat

Fresh meat

Fresh chilled meats and fish were found in two major sections. There were meats and fish in the

butchers section of the supermarket as well as in the chilled prepacked meat sections. The

butchers section contained unpackaged meats which allowed the consumer the opportunity to

determine the quantity of meat to be purchased. The meat is then placed into trays and covered

with a polymer film. It was observed that an absorbent pad was placed on the bottom of the tray

to absorb excess moisture. The chilled meat section contained uncooked meats packaged by meat

processors into various types such as whole chickens, mixed chicken parts, or ground meats. It

must be noted that a common packaging material was PVC. This serves to prevent condensation

from forming on the surface of the package. This section also contained meats packaged by the

supermarket to offer ease and convenience to its customers through its offering of seasoned

uncooked meats and fish. The supermarket even bundled local vegetables as part of a soup pack.

Processed meat

There was a variety of ready to eat meats as well as processed meats. These were found in the

chilled section. There were local and international brands. The packaging for these meats varied.

Some products were in vacuum sealed pouches which allow for resealing while others were in

polymer based containers with lids. The vacuum sealed pouches were made of various materials.

Some were made of metallised plastic film a with clear plastic primary display panels. Others

were made of the same one material.

Photo 11 : Ready to eat meats on display

4. Bakery Products

Cookies

Cookies were packed in various packages. These include trays with PVC pouches, metal tins and

pouches with paperboard inside.

Cakes

There were many different types of cakes. Most were locally made products. They were

packaged in plastic based packaging.

Breads

There both frozen and fresh breads in this product category. It was observed that the all of frozen

products were imported. These were packaged in nylon or pvc based packaging .

photo 12: Frozen Breads.

Crackers

Crackers were seen packaged in PVC form filled pouches.

5. Beverages

Carbonated

There were many sodas on the shelf , both imported and local. All sodas were seen in either cans

or PET bottles. There were serving which were single portions as well as larger sizes in bigger

containers.

Non Carbonated Soft Drinks

There were many different types of juices in various packaging. there was a large selection of

local and imported producsts . juices were seen in aseptic packages which are made to be shelf

stable for long periods. These packages have special layers which protect the product from light

dust and moisture. Products were seen in PET bottles as well. Few bottles were made of glass.

Another rising package was upright standing pouches. These pouches were seen in mainly

imported products like Capri Sun.

photo 13: Selection of Juices

Photo 14: Pouches of Juices.

Alcoholic

There was a wide range of alcoholic products packaged in a variety of materials. There was as

extensive use of glass in this section. The glass was both clear as well as coloured. There were

also metal cans used in this section. The glass is preferred for beers since there is no

permeability of the gases. This ensures that the product quality is maintained. The closures used

include press on twist off closures as well as crimp on closures. (see photo)

photo 15 : Beers will twist off caps

Most of the wine bottles had tamper evident and antitheft devices.(see photo) the product also

contained sleeves to hide variability in fill heights.

photo 16: antitheft devices on bottles,

sleeves to hide fill height variability.

Water

Water bottles were made of PET. There were various shapes and sizes of bottles. These shape

choices are used to influence buying choices since they are intended to be eye catching.

Powdered

Most powdered beverages were packed into individual serving sizes. Larger serving portions

were found in polymer based containers with resealable lids.

Discussion of things learnt

Supermarkets have recognised that they play and important part in influencing consumers buying

decisions. Supermarkets have begun to package fruits and vegetables in certain ways to meet the

emerging customer needs. This can be seen in the options offered in Fruit and Vegetable and

Meat product categories. The supermarket offers portion controlled options in which the apples

are packaged in groups of 3 as well as offered in singles. Meat is offered in preseasoned

packages as well as unseasoned options. Product categories are also grouped nearby such as

fruits and vegetables, or ready to eat meals.

The quality and variety of products carried by the supermarket also dictates the target market.

This supermarket has a wide variety of high quality products which indicates that it aims to

target a more economically well off customers. Many of the products are imported.

Conclusion

Different product categories require different packaging techniques. Considerations such as shelf

life, shelf display, portion size and control as well as profitability influence the choices that

manufactures make. Packaging serves to attract customers since it is the primary means of

communication between the consumer and manufacturer on a supermarket shelf.