April 26, 2008

Less packaging less safety?

You buy some drygoods food. Its in a bag inside a box. The contents may have settled during shipping so the box is really 1/2 full. The box has printing on it the ink may or may not be vegetable based. The bag is made out of any number of materials. This box was part of a larger case on an even larger pallet.

This covers the shelfspace, advertising, convenience, longevity of the product.

OR

You have a bin with a lid and a scoop, the product comes in a case size box with a large bag. You may or may not be able to see who the manufacturer is and everyone who lifts that lid may be adding to the contents. Seeing a grubby five year old digging through the beans would give you pause. There may or may not be an indication of how long the product has been there.

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I see the point but bins and scoops are sort of old tech. Creative dispensing can solve many issues of the grubby hands.

I walked into the Mars candy flagstore in NY and was blown away at the endless wall of acrylic dispensers holding the rainbow of M&M's in colors I never knew existed.

I don't remember the dispense method exactly, but was more impressed with the presentation.

(as you could tell)

Tina said...

I agree.

We just have to figure out a way to get our supermarket to fix the current bins so they have a spout at the bottom, rather than the lid & scoop on the top.

Until then... I'm gonna have to go with the fully packaged, vs. bins for most things.

Anonymous said...

For items to be cooked, I have no problem with the bins. Heck mom grew up eating foods combined with the leavings of mice, etc.---Her people are known for their longevity!

keeka said...

Myrna I agree, if something is cooked good enough, and I don't know grubby hands were on it for sure, I am ok. But for the bin of candy and stuff, I would be less likely to buy. Fortunately for me the bin with the candy I like best is too far up for little hands to get into. Big hands, well that is another matter. Oh well.