In this article, find out why metal containers may be a packaging of choice for manufacturers and parents, particularly due to their technical properties.

Meeting customer expectations

Parents are looking for safety

Infant foods are subject to strict regulations.

Infant foods designed for very young and sensitive consumers provide reassurance and confidence[13]. Parents are aware that these foods are subject to strict health and nutritional controls.

They therefore expect early life nutrition brands to provide answers and evidence as regards all these attributes so that they can be sure of giving their children food that is safe[1].

Quality concerns are high in all areas of early life nutrition products. The origin of ingredients, place and process of manufacture, method of storage and even packaging are all selection criteria.

Specifically in terms of packaging, the barrier properties of metal containers inspire consumer confidence as to the proper preservation of foodstuffs[8]. Metal containers are a popular packaging choice with parents. In France, these powdered infant formulas are packaged primarily in metal containers in 400, 800 or 900 g format (source: SNFBM)[8].

Expectations regarding product recycling

Today, consumers are turning to healthy and more ethical products[11]. They are particularly sensitive to waste and are increasingly likely to recycle[7], which contributes to the preservation of natural resources.

To support this approach, manufacturers are making every effort to use recyclable or ecodesigned packaging. Types of packaging that meet these expectations are PET bottles, HDPE bottles, LDPE film, Tetra Briks, aluminium or steel packaging, cardboard/paper and glass (source: CITEO).

Infinitely recyclable metal containers9 are thus a lever of the circular economy[14].

Metal containers: guaranteed food preservation

Airtight metal packaging protects and preserves food, including powdered infant formulas and dry baby food.

Metal packaging offers technical packaging solutions to meet a wide range of market needs. This packaging offers numerous advantages:

• It is opaque, thus protecting the contents from light
• It is airtight to gases such as oxygen and water vapour that can alter the product
• Product hygiene

These properties ensure the proper conservation and therefore preservation of the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of the product.

Longer shelf life

The top and bottom of the containers used at Lactalis Nutrition Santé are crimped. The peel-off aluminium cap is sealed beforehand at the supplier’s site. Because metal is opaque and airtight, it ensures a very long product shelf life.

This airtightness therefore allows powdered infant formulas to retain all their nutritional and organoleptic properties. By way of example, opacity helps limit the loss of the light-sensitive vitamins B8 and B12.

Another advantage of metal containers is that they are inert. This removes the risk of microparticles migrating from the packaging material into the product over time.

Protection from oxidation

During packaging, any traces of oxygen are extracted from the container. Nitrogen and/or CO2 are then added to ensure better conservation.

It should be noted that nitrogen is a neutral gas naturally present in air and is therefore inexhaustible. By filling the containers with nitrogen and creating this modified atmosphere, interactions between the powder and oxygen are thus limited. This technique prevents oxidation[2] and the development of pathogens[3]. It thus ensures the quality of powdered infant formulas, extending their shelf life.

Guaranteed hygiene: the Lactalis Nutrition Santé hinged lid with built-in dosing device