While edible packaging is all the rage in confectionery, big players like MARS, Mondelez, PepsiCo, Danone, and Unilever are yet to bite into the edible paper trend. 

The reason? There’s a need for improved strength, stability, and antibacterial properties in current edible packaging.  

However, my team has found promising research that tackles these very challenges.

The Hunan Institute of Edible Fungus has successfully developed an edible paper which has shown these promising results- 

• Pork wrapped in edible paper stayed fresh for 30 days with fewer bacteria compared to regular plastic (7 days).
• The edible paper showed good strength in testing and exhibited no browning levels.
• And this white edible paper scored a perfect 5 in appearance, taste, and texture.

The edible paper owes these qualities to unique ingredients such as Okra polysaccharide, Oudemansiella raphanipes fiber, Chitosan and edible plant oil. It is found to be ideal for packaging food and medicine.

Speaking of packaging that dissolves easily after use 🙂 Have you heard about SolmixBag, the water-dissolvable packaging introduced by Mondi this year?

It is a paper bag which is ideal for dry building materials like cement. It reduces waste, costs, and keeps construction sites dust-free as the packaging fibers dissolve when mixed.

We have discussed similar new innovations by packaging companies like Tetra Pak, Smurfit Kappa and DS Smith here- https://www.greyb.com/blog/sustainable-packaging-companies/ 

I tried a grain-based straw at a cafe recently. It was sturdy (a woe with paper straws) and didn’t alter my coffee’s taste. Have you seen edible packaging being used around you recently?