Project aims to make packaging simpler for seniors

Espoo, Finland – Finnish researchers have announced a project that will research and launch food packaging that is easy for seniors to use.

The VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland is coordinating the Seniori-Sapuska project, or Foods for Seniors project.

The project aims to improve the dietary intake of elderly people by identifying which foods they enjoy and then creating meals in convenient portion sizes in easy-to-use packaging.

VTT aims to create solutions both for retail and foodservice.

The project, reports FoodProductionDaily.com, involves 10 other companies from the food and packaging sectors. And although it’s in its very early stages, VTT hopes to create food packaging that is not only easy to open but that also has production information that is easy for seniors to read.

Project focus

VTT says the project is divided into two phases. One phase will focus on determining the criteria for appetizing meals and user-friendly packaging.

The other phase will focus on defining the concepts of foods, meals and packaging tailored to seniors.

VTT says it is involving seniors in the development of the project by interviewing them and will also recruit and train a panel of seniors to do the sensory assessments, reports FoodProductionDaily.com.

VTT has also found that seniors don’t want to be singled out for their age and aims to launch the packaging for all other consumers as well.

The project, adds VTT, will shed light on the key factors determining the enjoyability of foods and meals and the usability of food packages among elderly consumers and give the Finnish grocery retail and foodservice sectors a competitive edge.

The results of the project will also allow the Finnish food industry to reach new markets in neighbouring countries through exporting senior-designed food products.