Customers are likely to realize many benefits when using zip-lock bags to keep their cereals fresh. Kellogg’s, a prominent cereal manufacturer, has addressed the use of zip-lock bags on several occasions, claiming to have tried it in the past. The company discovered that closures of the zippers sometimes did not close properly and food or particles got caught in the seal (Nguyen, 2021). Moreover, they asserted that their current budget and packaging protocol could not cope with the zip locks. This is because the bags could make the process more expensive and slower. Because of the level of experience required to operate the technology, creating bags with zippers would almost certainly result in more significant labor expenses. For instance, it would involve adding additional settings, seals, and equipment. If the cost of manufacturing an item rises, a company may pass the cost on to its consumers. In this case, customers may choose to buy a competitor’s product. On the other hand, bags with zippers have been proven to extend shelf life besides keeping cereals and vegetables fresh for longer.
Even though Kellogg’s discovered some flaws in zipper bags, the company continues to use them in some of its goods. Reseal technology allows customers to firmly close the bag to prevent air and moisture from entering the product. This technology helps to preserve products’ freshness while in the zip lock bags. With the reseal technology, consumers can use the product for a more extended amount of time and the packaging can be reused for other tasks once the product is gone (The Packaging Lab, 2020). It should be no surprise that consumers consider resealable packaging to have the most significant benefit. People appreciate how it preserves and extends the shelf life of fresh cereals. When food is packaged in a zippered or slider-closed package, it lasts longer and tastes better (The Packaging Lab, 2020). People believe that reclosability affects the freshness of their food even on things that have a long shelf life without either a closure, such as chocolate. Zippers and sliders are frequently observed on deli meat and cheese. They are also great for pouches that stand up. On the other hand, consumers are beginning to anticipate this level of convenience from a wide range of items. Reclosable packaging can help chips crisp and keep cereal rather than stale, minimize freezer burn in frozen food, and keep dog food fresh.
Budget-wise, Kellogg’s employs zero-based budgeting to improve its operating margin in the market. It failed to adjust its budget to cope with the increased cost of production for reseal technology in zip lock bags for its cereal products. The company allocates budgets for various departments to increase sales. For instance, a large amount of money is used to advertise their products. In 2019, Kellogg’s spent a whopping $393 million on an advertisement, increasing that amount to around $790 million in 2021 for advertisements in the U.S., which was the highest in six years (Statistica, n.d.). In this case, zip-lock bags are likely to contribute to increased packaging expenses for the organization. Low profits may be realized when high packaging costs are incurred.
In summary, zip-lock bags have been shown to increase the shelf life of cereals and keep them fresh. However, companies such as Kellogg’s are reluctant to utilize the reseal technology in their cereal packaging. They are sticking to the old methods citing drawbacks such as the failure to close properly due to food particles and failure to adjust its budget to accommodate the technology. Those who have embraced it have to endure the increased cost of zipper bags.
References
Nguyen, J. (2021). Why doesn’t cereal come in resealable bags? Marketplace. Web.
Statistica. (n.d.). Kellogg: Ad spend in the U.S. 2019. Statista. Web.
The Packaging Lab. (2020). Keeping it fresh: How package pouches extend the shelf life of your snacks. The Packaging Lab. Web.