Fighting Food Waste: Thinking Outside the Box

The Flexible Packaging Association (FPA) is pleased to announce a new infographic that highlights how flexible packaging is helping to keep food fresher and prevent food waste.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, approximately 40% of food is not consumed. The annual amount of food waste is 36 million tons, which is worth $162 billion.

The typical American family throws away 40% of fresh meat, fish, and poultry purchased; 51% of dairy and fruit purchased; and 44% of fresh vegetables purchased.

When packaged in flexible packaging, the shelf life of green beans extends from 7 days to 19 days. Some other examples of shelf life extension for food, when packaged in flexible packaging, include grapes, from 7 days to 70 days; broccoli from 6 days to 20 days; steak from 3 days to 20 days; and cheese from 190 days to 280.