Pandemic-Related Health and Hygiene Consumer Trends Affecting Beverage Market

Product safety demands and active health management are two areas that have increased since the start of the pandemic, and the results on the beverage industry will likely be long-term.

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Packaging

The COVID-19 pandemic has made consumers much more aware of the general hygiene and safety of the products they purchase, and as most beverage packaging is designed to be consumed in its original format with consumers placing portions of the packaging directly on their lips, consumers are responding by showing new preferences in their beverage purchasing habits.

According to PMMI Business Intelligence’s new report “2021 Beverage Trends Driving Change,” consumers are now more interested in beverage packaging that protects critical contact surfaces, such as screw-top bottles. Consumption surfaces that are exposed to the environment, such as the metal closure on cans, are currently less attractive to consumers than closures that are fully enclosed. Although it is possible that these preferences may abate as the pandemic recedes, it is an important consideration for beverage and machine manufacturers in the short term.

Production

The pandemic has also placed new emphasis on the need for safe and hygienic production practices at beverage manufacturers. Consumers are much more concerned with how their products are being handled during production, and this has pushed beverage manufacturers to demonstrate that proper precautions are being taken during production, especially when it comes to cleaning and human contact. These new procedures have created additional considerations for beverage manufacturers and machine builders alike.


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