SPC ProVital | Celebrating Australian Food and Agribusiness Innovations 2020
Challenge
Issues of quality nutrition and accessibility become increasingly important in an ageing population. While hard-to-open packaging is a barrier for all consumers, it is particularly troublesome for those with fine-motor impairment. Injury can result through use of knives or scissors and a high degree of wastage occurs through product spillage or product discard when opening attempts are unsuccessful.
In hospital and home care settings, consumer dexterity and/or cognition issues can be a barrier to nutrition, leading SPC ProVital to elevate accessibility of its fruit-based products used in the healthcare industry, improving consumer access to quality nutrition while minimising food waste.
Solution
The SPC ProVital team worked with industry experts, including Arthritis Australia’s Accessible Design Division, Dr Brad Fain of Georgia Tech Research Institute and HealthShare NSW to develop a portion-control cup utilising the Initial Scientific Review (ISR) Accessibility Rating — a measure used to predict the percentage of the population who can open product without assistance. In hospital testing this included patients with reduced fine motor skills, dexterity and strength.
The cup features an easy-grip decagon shape, textured lengthened pull tab, clear and helpful instructions in a large font for improved legibility and an optimised seal to reduce opening force.
Outcome
SPC ProVital’s cup range was a world-first packaging innovation, receiving Arthritis Australia’s highest possible accessibility rating and Easy-to-Open certification. The +8 rating predicts that 95% of the population can open the fruit cup easily, greatly enhancing nutritional access for users.
SPC ProVital has been recognised globally by the packaging industry as an accessible food packaging solution. It was awarded the 2016 Save Food Packaging Award from the Australian Institute of Packaging (AIP), a 2018 WorldStar Packaging Award from the World Packaging Organisation (WPO) and the PIDA 2019 Australasian Packaging Innovation & Design Award for Accessible Packaging Design. SPC ProVital products are currently available through hospitals and aged-care facilities, with further plans for expansion.