Packaging can 'solve world hunger problem'

packagingnews.co.uk: "Two international packaging bodies have hit back at anti-packaging public opinion by promoting good packaging and logistics systems as 'the answer to world hunger'.

The World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and the International Packaging Press Organisation (IPPO) have published a position paper that highlights the key contribution of packaging to sustainability and the fight against hunger in the world.

WPO general secretary Carl Olsmats and IPPO president Bo Wallteg said the increased demand for food did not necessarily require increased production, but better packaging usage to ensure less food is wasted.

Olsmats and Wallteg said large quantities of food were being wasted due to 'poor logistics, storage and packaging processes, as well as lack of cold chain facilities'.

'In developing countries it's estimated that as much as 50% of all food production is lost because of the scarcity of processing and packaging technology. In industrialised countries, food is carelessly handled and between 25% and 50% is discarded because it has passed the best before date,' they said."