Even special-purpose foods are safely packaged in aseptic carton packs. Canadian food manufacturer Lassonde has therefore opted for reclosable carton packs from SIG Combibloc with combiSwift screw cap when expanding its product range with “Oasis NutriSolution Hydra+” for people with difficulty swallowing (dysphagia).
People who have difficulty swallowing as a result of certain illnesses tend to take in too little fluid, because conventional beverages cause them particular problems: they flow too fast and are difficult to control in the mouth. This creates a risk of choking. In this regard, thickened liquids with a smooth, homogenous consistency, which can therefore be swallowed more easily and in a more controlled way, can be helpful for people with dysphagia. Changing the consistency makes the liquids easier to swallow.
“Our ‘Oasis NutriSolution’ product range is for people who have special requirements for their food in terms of formulation and handling," said Stefano Bertolli, Vice President Communications at Lassonde. "Especially for ‘Oasis NutriSolution Hydra+’ – our products that address the needs of people with difficulty swallowing – we were looking for a packaging solution that would safeguard the quality of these special-purpose products, and could fit conveniently into the everyday routine of users and nursing staff. A screw cap was an indispensable requirement. The aseptic filling technology and carton packs with the reclosable screw cap from SIG Combibloc meet all our demands. They guarantee us the added value that we want to pass on to consumers in respect of the packaging as well”.
‘Hydra+’ is a range of ready-to-drink thickened beverages based on ‘Oasis’ fruit juices, water or milk, with formulations that cater to the specific needs of people with dysphagia and make life easier for consumers and for nursing staff.
“Conveniently packaged in the reclosable aseptic carton pack, the products are ideal for providing dysphagia sufferers with liquid and nutrients. The homogenous textures, which are similar to nectar or honey, allow users to swallow safely and without discomfort. The products are already mixed ready for consumption, so there’s no extra work to do mixing them," Bertolli explained.
From the can into the carton
Lassonde has already had favorable experience with carton packs from SIG Combibloc in other product categories. In 2013 the company, which is one of the leading food manufacturers in North America with more than 2,100 employees, completely changed its premium ‘Canton’ brand fondue broths from the food metal can to aseptic carton packs from SIG Combibloc. And it has been a great success.
Luciana Galvão, Head of Marketing Americas at SIG Combibloc: “Aseptic carton packs have made an enormous leap forward in recent years in the perception and acceptance of US and Canadian consumers. And with good reason: they offer excellent product protection, they’re lightweight and convenient to use and they also offer significant benefits in terms of their logistical and environmental advantages compared to other packaging solutions on the market. Because they’re made from 75 per cent wood, a renewable resource, carton packs have a much smaller environmental footprint than other food and beverage packaging”.
The flexibility of the filling technology from SIG Combibloc has enabled Lassonde to enter the market for filling special-purpose products for people with difficulty swallowing. Stefano Bertolli: “Using the filling machines from SIG Combibloc, we can fill a broad range of foods and package them for long life; the system handles liquid products just as well and safely as viscous products and products with particulate content. And in terms of volume and decor, with the filling machines from SIG Combibloc we have a huge range of options. For instance, in the carton design for Hydra+ we’ve used a clear color coding system that makes it obvious what texture the products in the carton have. Lilac stands for a honey-like consistency; the products in the green packaging have a nectar-like texture.”
