Coding, Printing & Labeling

Purdue Pharma uses RFID on OxyContin

In mid-November, Stamford, CT-based Purdue Pharma LP announced a pilot program to apply radio-frequency identification (RFID) labels (right) to 100-ct bottles of its OxyContin tablets shipped to Wal-Mart and wholesaler H. D. Smith, two of its largest customers.

December 31, 2004

Machinery: Page 793

Blisters/clamshells/skin packaging

PACKAGING VOLUME REPORT

The size and shape of the U.S. packaging market is reported by industry in the Packaging in the United States report from Research and Markets Ltd. Market size data is shown for the years between 1998 and 2002.

December 31, 2004

Converting equipment

CMM ADDRESSES END-USER NEEDS; SEARCHES FOR CONVERTER OF THE YEAR

An upcoming forum for information exchange between packagers and converters is the Consumer Packaging & Converting Connection Event created by Converting Machinery/Materials International (www.cmmshow.com).

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Data synch or sink

How important is data synchronization to your radio-frequency identification program?

December 31, 2004

Protective/transport packaging

Companies

Sonoco is manufacturing self-heating containers at a plant in Wausau, WI. Sun Chemical has formed Sun Chemical Security, a new global business unit that will provide a wide range of products used to print packages that incorporate security measures.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

RFID expands on drugs

The Food and Drug Administration and several major drug companies are turning to radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to improve the safety and security of drugs.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Supplement labeling reviewed

FDA is going after dietary supplement manufacturers whose labels are misleading, and the agency has set up a new system for identifying such products and collecting “signals” of possible harmful effects.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

COOL kaput?

Opponents of country-of-origin labeling are hoping the results of last November’s elections will enable them to win repeal of mandatory COOL labeling, scheduled to take effect in 2006.

December 31, 2004

Coding, Printing & Labeling

Single-serve labels

CSPI petitioned FDA to update its labeling rules so that labels of single-serve packages and bottles clearly state how many calories are in the container.

December 31, 2004

Sustainable Packaging

'Twas the season

This was a big year for holiday decorations, although I must admit the Orloski cottage was not decorated to its usual standards because of too many fall weekends out of town.

December 31, 2004

Flexible packaging

Club stores stay 'hot' with packaging a key to sales

Recent developments focus on the effective use of display pallets and new ways of reining in costs. It’s a singular outlook on “shelf impact.”

December 31, 2004

Flexibles

Flexibles outlook is optimistic

FPA expects sales revenue for 2004 flexible packaging shipments to increase 4.7% to about $21.4 billion, with rosier three- to five-year converter expectations.

December 31, 2004

Flexible packaging

FDA rings bell for antidepressant class

For the first time, FDA urges manufacturers to put an entire class of medications into unit-of-use packaging.

December 31, 2004