As was the case with Charles Ross's Packaging of Pharmaceuticals published by the UK Institute of Packaging in 1975 it is assumed that the reader of this book already has a broad understanding of the basics of packaging. If not the Packaging Users Handbook and the Handbook of Food Packaging are recommended. The packaging needs of pharmaceuticals are different in degree only from those of other perishable products such as processed foods. Because the required action of a medication can be nullified by any deterioration in its active principles the protection required from its packaging is at least an order of magnitude greater than that needed by foods for example. Functional efficiency is therefore of prime importance. Conversely the need for the packaging to 'sell' the medication is much less, hence the graphics required need only provide the right 'image' for the product when presented for use in hospital or surgery. Even when on sale at the pharmacy the 'appeal' required is that of providing hygiene and confidence more than anything else. Thus, the textual requirements are paramount including traceability (batch numbers, date-coding etc) in case of recall; while striking appearance to attract customer attention is in lower key. And with the increase in malicious tampering nowadays recall is more frequent.

The first version of this book, Packaging Materials and Containers was published in 1967 and was revised extensively ten years later under the title The Packaging Media. Some thirty or so authors were involved in producing the initial texts for these books, and I must acknowledge their material, much of which is still valid. It is now thirteen years since The Packaging Media-high time to take stock and incorporate the considerable advances in materials, forms, techniques and machinery that have taken place. In 1977, wherever possible, we asked the original authors to carry out the revisions, but retirements and job changes have now eliminated over twenty of the original authors. We have therefore appointed an Editorial Board to advise on this more extensive revision, and I wish to thank them for their detailed and helpful assistance: Dr C. J. Mackson and Professor Y. Dagel for general comments and guidance on the overall plan and, in particular, the Introduction (chapter 1); Graham Gordon and Harri Mostyn for assistance with much of Part D on Distribution Packages, and Dennis Hine and Susan Selke for their work in respect of paperboard and plastics retail packaging, respectively. A major contribution was made by the seventh member of the Editorial Board, David Osborne, who advised in the area of glass.

This is the second edition of a successful title first published in 1983 and now therefore a decade out of date. The authors consider the development of the right package for a particular food in a particular market, from the point of view of the food technologist, the packaging engineer and those concerned with marketing. While the original format has been retained, the contents have been thoroughly revised to take account of the considerable advances made in recent years in the techniques of food processing, packaging and distribution. While efficient packaging is even more a necessity for every kind of food, whether fresh or processed, and is an essential link between the food producer and the consumer, the emphasis on its several functions has changed. Its basic function is to identify the product and ensure that it travels safely through the distribution system to the consumer. Packaging designed and constructed solely for this purpose adds little or nothing to the value of the product, merely preserving farm or processor freshness or preventing physical damage, and cost effectiveness is the sole criterion for success. If, however, the packaging facilitates the use of the product, is reusable or has an after-use, some extra value can be added to justify the extra cost and promote sales. Many examples of packaging providing such extra value can be cited over the last decade.

This is the second edition of a successful title first published in 1983 and now therefore a decade out of date. The authors consider the development of the right package for a particular food in a particular market, from the point of view of the food technologist, the packaging engineer and those concerned with marketing. While the original format has been retained, the contents have been thoroughly revised to take account of the considerable advances made in recent years in the techniques of food processing, packaging and distribution. While efficient packaging is even more a necessity for every kind of food, whether fresh or processed, and is an essential link between the food producer and the consumer, the emphasis on its several functions has changed. Its basic function is to identify the product and ensure that it travels safely through the distribution system to the consumer. Packaging designed and constructed solely for this purpose adds little or nothing to the value of the product, merely preserving farm or processor freshness or preventing physical damage, and cost effectiveness is the sole criterion for success. If, however, the packaging facilitates the use of the product, is reusable or has an after-use, some extra value can be added to justify the extra cost and promote sales. Many examples of packaging providing such extra value can be cited over the last decade.

As was the case with Charles Ross's Packaging of Pharmaceuticals published by the UK Institute of Packaging in 1975 it is assumed that the reader of this book already has a broad understanding of the basics of packaging. If not the Packaging Users Handbook and the Handbook of Food Packaging are recommended. The packaging needs of pharmaceuticals are different in degree only from those of other perishable products such as processed foods. Because the required action of a medication can be nullified by any deterioration in its active principles the protection required from its packaging is at least an order of magnitude greater than that needed by foods for example. Functional efficiency is therefore of prime importance. Conversely the need for the packaging to 'sell' the medication is much less, hence the graphics required need only provide the right 'image' for the product when presented for use in hospital or surgery. Even when on sale at the pharmacy the 'appeal' required is that of providing hygiene and confidence more than anything else. Thus, the textual requirements are paramount including traceability (batch numbers, date-coding etc) in case of recall; while striking appearance to attract customer attention is in lower key. And with the increase in malicious tampering nowadays recall is more frequent.

The progress that has been made over the last decade in the preparation, development, processing, and marketing of food has to a large extent been made possible by innovations and developments in the ways that thermo plastics, in conjunction with paper, metal foils, adhesives and other materials, have been combined and formed into the appropriate configurations to provide the properties required. Much has been said, written and published about retort pouches, modified atmosphere packaging and aseptic preservation processes, and even more about the newer methods of distribution and retailing of all kinds of food. However, all of this material needed to be digested, condensed into a logical framework and appraised, and possible further developments considered. In many instances, the original research and development was carried out in conjunction with one or more of the research organisations in membership with IAPRI, the International Association of Packaging Research Institutes, and it was felt that a book which attempted to provide a review of the more important developments would be useful to practitioner and student alike."

The first version of this book, Packaging Materials and Containers was published in 1967 and was revised extensively ten years later under the title The Packaging Media. Some thirty or so authors were involved in producing the initial texts for these books, and I must acknowledge their material, much of which is still valid. It is now thirteen years since The Packaging Media-high time to take stock and incorporate the considerable advances in materials, forms, techniques and machinery that have taken place. In 1977, wherever possible, we asked the original authors to carry out the revisions, but retirements and job changes have now eliminated over twenty of the original authors. We have therefore appointed an Editorial Board to advise on this more extensive revision, and I wish to thank them for their detailed and helpful assistance: Dr C. J. Mackson and Professor Y. Dagel for general comments and guidance on the overall plan and, in particular, the Introduction (chapter 1); Graham Gordon and Harri Mostyn for assistance with much of Part D on Distribution Packages, and Dennis Hine and Susan Selke for their work in respect of paperboard and plastics retail packaging, respectively. A major contribution was made by the seventh member of the Editorial Board, David Osborne, who advised in the area of glass.