Goodbye potato chips—there’s a new savory snack stocking grocery carts and capturing the attention of health-conscious consumers. What’s this new snack phenomenon? It’s meat snacks, namely meat sticks and jerky.
Those days are gone for the iconic Slim Jim. Meat snacks have evolved with a wide range of products including turkey, beef, organic, grass-fed, and premium. The protein-rich snacks are favored by the consumer, considering their compatibility with contemporary diets of high-protein, low-carb lifestyles and health-conscious eating habits.
The meat snack sales remain robust, with more brands joining in to cater to rising demand. According to Nielsen, meat snacks in 2017 were a $2.8 billion industry. The category splits between jerky and sticks, and each generates roughly half the sales. Because American consumers are seeking increasing amounts of protein, it’s not surprising that jerky is red-hot. Nielsen found, also, that 55% of U.S. households now require high-protein food when shopping for groceries. As snacking becomes more common and traditional meals take a backseat, jerky is undeniably having a moment.
If you’re launching a jerky brand, there are several key packaging considerations to ensure your product stands out on the shelf, stays fresh, and hits the market quickly.
Designing Jerky Packaging for Convenience and Performance
Convenience is king when it comes to snacking, and that is why jerky is typically bagged and packaged in pouches for easy grab-and-go snacking. Flexible packaging offers the light, resealable, and flexible features that customers love. The break-resistant pouches and bags make jerky extremely portable food—perfect for school, the office, or even the outdoors.
Jerky can be packaged in stand-up or lay-flat pouches, single-serve or full-size packs. Press-to-close zippers are ideal if the user wants to preserve the freshness of the product once it is opened, while single-serve pouches typically have tear notches for easy access.
Optimizing Freshness in Jerky Packaging
While consumer convenience is important, the true intent of jerky packaging is to preserve freshness. A well-packaged package serves to protect the jerky from moisture and oxygen—two vital components that kill shelf life and taste.
Moisture and oxygen are both damaging to jerky as they create conditions for mold to form and the product to spoil. The package must then produce an airtight seal and regulate moisture levels successfully.
High-barrier films also play a critical role in jerky packaging. They provide a tight barrier of protection between the jerky and the surrounding environment, which is responsible for freshness preservation. In addition, application of a tight-seal closure, i.e., a press-to-close zipper, ensures that the bag is closed after each use, and the product remains fresh for an extended period.
Another convenient packaging tool is the use of oxygen absorbers. These small packets, which are placed within the bag, inhibit the growth of microorganisms by keeping oxygen levels at nearly zero. This process prolongs the shelf life of the jerky, decreasing waste and increasing the quality of the product.
Fresh jerky leads to increased shelf life for manufacturers and consumers, ultimately meaning fewer returns, less waste, and happier customers.
Streamlined Jerky Packaging with Digital Printing
When it comes to packaging jerky, product integrity and freshness are paramount. The combination of strong, airtight packaging and resealability keeps jerky fresh and ready to eat. Pouches and bags also offer the added convenience of lightweight portability and enhanced printing capabilities.
Digital printing for flexible packaging is a game-saver for jerky manufacturers. It simplifies ordering for small and medium-sized companies, allowing them to enjoy quick turnaround times and cost-effective solutions. With digital printing, businesses can place short and medium-sized runs of finished pouches and roll stock, allowing them to bring their products to market faster while reducing excess inventory and waste.
For those products of jerky that want to stand out, digital printing also allows for premium-grade graphics and branding on the packaging. What this means is that your product will be seen by customers and have a powerful, professional appearance.
Elevating Your Jerky Packaging: Materials, Innovation, and Efficiency
Packaging jerky is a great balance of freshness, convenience, and performance. Quality materials such as high-barrier films, resealable zippers, and oxygen absorbers are used by manufacturers to keep their jerky fresh and enjoyable for the consumers. Digital printing also speeds up the process as well as saves time, which makes it easy for companies to introduce their products quickly while making sure they are high in quality as well as prevent wastage.
No matter if you are just starting out or looking to refresh your packaging, our Colorful Packaging experts can help you choose the best solution for your jerky. From flexible packaging to state-of-the-art print technologies, we’re here to help you make your jerky a product people will remember.