An interesting study on consumer perceptions of glass packaging is mentioned on packagingeurope.com. Based on global qualitative research of parents (predominantly mothers) conducted by O-I, the survey finds that parents favor glass packaging for baby food because they perceive that it preserves product freshness, keeps food safe and healthy, and enables mom or dad to easily view the contents inside the jar. The survey was conducted in 10 cities worldwide.
The survey points out other interesting findings that brand managers and marketers should heed if they are considering packaging options for certain types of food products they are introducing in Europe.
Consumers in the U.K, for example, are big on "organic" as a prerequisite for purchasing a brand, but many of these products are packaged in plastic containers. European consumers perceive this packaging as the least-healthy and environmentally healthy material option, according to April 2009 reserve from the European Glass Packaging Federation.
It's all about knowing your consumer. Package-material preference should appear with package size atop the packaging checklist for any food product under consideration for distribution in Europe. Did you know that consumers in France and Poland enjoy preserving home-made foods in glass jars?