Changing Perceptions on Packaged & Processed Goods

Over the years, consumer perceptions of packaged and processed goods have undergone a significant transformation. Where packaged goods were once synonymous with unhealthy, ultra-processed foods, they are now increasingly recognized as essential for preserving freshness, ensuring safety, and catering to modern health-conscious lifestyles. This shift has been driven by rising demand for Better-For-You (BFY) products, transparency, and sustainable practices. With these evolving expectations and market expansions, the packaging industry has had to innovate to improve operational efficiency and align with today’s consumer priorities.

How Perceptions Have Shifted

From Processed to “Better For You”

Historically, packaged goods were widely viewed as overly processed and laden with artificial ingredients. More than 83% of consumers historically associated packaged foods with unhealthiness, even more so than products high in sugar or fat. However, perceptions have shifted as brands began offering BFY options, emphasizing clean ingredients, health-forward claims, and sustainable practices.

Today’s consumers are more discerning, with 51% prioritizing ingredient quality and 56% actively reading labels before making purchases. Products labeled as "organic," "plant-based," or "high protein" are driving trust and purchase intent, reflecting a broader cultural shift toward health and wellness. Packaging has thus gone from being a symbol of processing to an indicator of health and quality. The cleaner the ingredients list, the more the packaging has to protect where preservatives are absent -reshaping product development and packaging strategies across the industry.

The BFY packaged foods market began to gain traction in the early-to-mid 2010s, but momentum accelerated significantly in the late 2010s and early 2020s where these preferences became mainstream. Globally, the BFY packaged food market was valued at $3.3 trillion in 2024 and is projected to reach $6 trillion by 2034.

This has caused a significant increase in products available in this market, driving advancements in automated packaging technologies to meet new demands.

The Role of Packaging

With a growing demand for natural, minimally processed foods that also meet health-conscious and on-the-go lifestyles, packaging has become more important than ever in preserving freshness and ensuring convenience. Instead of simply containing the product, packaging now plays a critical role in maintaining quality, especially as preservatives are minimized and clean labels are prioritized. Features like resealable packaging are essential to lock in freshness, provide portion control, and enhance portability for on-the-go lifestyles.

At the same time, sustainability remains a key concern. Eco-conscious consumers expect recyclable, biodegradable, energy-efficient and reduced-material solutions. This shift has pushed the industry to innovate sustainable, functional packaging that balances freshness, convenience, and environmental responsibility.

The Impact on Operational Efficiency

Meeting these evolving demands would be overwhelming without automated and adaptable packaging technologies. Sealstrip has positioned itself as an innovator in offering flexible, efficient, and eco-friendly packaging solutions tailored to consumer and market needs. Here’s how Sealstrip supports efficiency while addressing industry challenges:

Convenience and Freshness

Sealstrip’s easy-open, resealable features enhance convenience for busy consumers while preserving product freshness. These solutions reduce waste by encouraging full product use and add value without increasing material costs or production complexity.

Sustainability Made Simple

Sealstrip delivers lightweight, mono-material, and energy-efficient packaging solutions to meet the growing demand for sustainable practices. Their retrofitted applicators optimize material usage, reduce waste, and align with eco-conscious trends without sacrificing efficiency.

Seamless Integration and Performance

Sealstrip’s pressure-sensitive tape applicators integrate easily with existing packaging equipment, minimizing downtime and maximizing uptime. With high-speed performance and reduced material requirements, manufacturers boost productivity while staying cost-effective and competitive.

Meeting Evolving Consumer Expectations

Elevating Consumer Experience

Convenience features cater directly to consumers’ desire for accessible, functional, and quality packaging. Whether it’s ensuring resealability for freshness, tamper-evidence for safety, or recyclable materials for sustainability, Sealstrip consistently delivers innovations that meet changing consumer priorities.

Supporting Brand Reputation

By aligning with trends like on-the-go functionality and eco-friendly initiatives, Sealstrip helps brands boost brand preference. Packaging becomes an ambassador for brand values, fostering trust and loyalty—even amid growing competition in the Better-For-You market.

Empowering the Industry

The rise in demand for health-forward packaged goods has created immense pressure for manufacturers to innovate quickly. Sealstrip’s adaptable technologies, retrofittable systems, and expert support ensure that businesses can respond effectively, empowering them to thrive in a rapidly changing landscape.

Looking Ahead

The evolution of consumer perceptions around packaged goods reflects wider societal trends surrounding health, transparency, and sustainability. As preferences shift, packaging engineers and manufacturers must stay ahead of the curve, finding ways to create value through better designs, materials, and processes.

Sealstrip is here to help brands meet these demands while achieving operational excellence. Whether it’s adopting easy-open solutions or transitioning to mono-materials, Sealstrip ensures that your packaging strategy supports both your goals and those of your customers.

Explore how Sealstrip innovations can elevate your packaging solutions and drive efficiency today. Contact us here!

With over 40 years of engineering innovative solutions, Sealstrip Corporation provides flexible packagers with the resealable and easy open packaging solutions that are essential to compete in today’s consumer market. The company designs and manufactures applicators that retrofit to customers’ existing wrapping machinery. Sealstrip also manufactures the pressure-sensitive tapes used to form the easy open and resealable features on flexible packages. Although Sealstrip distributes worldwide, products are designed and made in the USA.