Best Food Packaging Identified in Competition

Kids' meal packaging from McDonald's Latin America takes top honors in the 2008 QSR/FPI Foodservice Packaging Awards, which honor creativity and innovation in packaging used by restaurants and other food service outlets.

Duham, NC (PRWEB) October 29, 2008 -- QSR magazine (http://www.qsrmagazine.com), a business-to-business publication for foodservice executives and operators, has published the results of the annual QSR/FPI Foodservice Packaging Awards, which it sponsors in conjunction with the Foodservice Packaging Institute trade association. The goal of the program is to honor unique, innovative, and eye-catching packaging in use at restaurants and other foodservice operations.

"Packaging can be taken for granted by consumers and even restaurateurs," says Greg Sanders, associate publisher of QSR. "The reality is that packaging is one of the most important elements in foodservice. Certainly there's the utilitarian function of delivering food and beverage--but packaging can also build brand awareness, improve food safety, make a parent's day easier, and so many other things."

"The bottom line, as one of the judges in the competition noted, is that packaging drives sales. We feel it's important to heighten awareness by sponsoring this program with our friends at FPI," continues Sanders.

First, second, and third prizes, as well as honorable mentions, were awarded in each of six categories, including Consumer Convenience, Graphic Design Distinction, Brand Delivery, Children's Meal, Product Manufacturing Innovation, and The Wow! Factor.

In addition, an overall Foodservice Package of the Year was chosen from among the winners of the individual categories. The 2008 top honor went to HAVI Global Solutions for its "Chicken Fingers Hand" developed for the McDonald's Latin America Deditos de Pollo Grill (grilled chicken fingers) kids' meal. The colorful container in the playful shape of a hand holds the pieces of grilled chicken in the fingers, while the fries and dipping sauce fit in the palm.

Judges praised the clever design and the collectible nature of the package. They also expressed considerable interest in seeing the package in use in the U.S.

The Chicken Fingers Hand took first place in the Children's Meal category. Other category winners were: Tray Innovations for its Glide Solo (Consumer Convenience); HAVI Global Solutions for its Paper Salad Package (Graphic Design Distinction); Australia-based Guzman y Gomez Mexican Taqueria for its full line of packaging (Brand Delivery); and HAVI Global Solutions for the In-Mold Label PWEPS Coffee Cup (Product Manufacturing Innovation). The Wow! Factor category saw a tie between Hot Stuff Foods for its Big Stuff Crowd Pleaser Pizza and Firehouse Subs for its Fire Hydrant Hot Sauce Container.

Full results are published in QSR's November issue and on its web site at QSRmagazine.com. In addition, web visitors will find an exclusive video slideshow of all the winning packages.

QSR Magazine:

QSR magazine and its web site QSRmagazine.com (http://www.qsrmagazine.com) are the leading sources of news and information about the limited-service restaurant industry. For more than 10 years, QSR has defined this market, which includes traditional fast food, fast casual restaurants, coffee, snacks, full-service takeaway, concessions, convenience stores, and related segments of the foodservice industry. It is the magazine's brand mission to report and analyze current trends in the restaurant industry, work to enhance the positive impact of diversity on this market, and improve the industry as a whole.

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