SPC ProVital Easy-Open Cup Range
The Challenge
With an ageing population, issues of quality nutrition and accessible packaging are becoming increasingly prominent. Packaging that is hard to open presents barriers for all consumers, especially those with fine-motor impairments such as arthritis. Injury can result when consumers can’t easily open difficult packaging and attempt to open with a knife or scissors. A high degree of waste can also occur with spilling of the product, or throwing out a product unopened, if these attempts are unsuccessful. Accessible packaging is of particular importance in hospital and home care settings where consumer dexterity and/or cognition can be a barrier to nutrition.
SPC ProVital, providers of quality fruit-based products to the healthcare industry, recognised the need to take a leadership role in elevating accessibility of its products in order to improve consumer access to quality nutrition while assisting in the reduction of food waste.
The Solution
The SPC ProVital team worked collaboratively 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. This rating is used to predict the percentage of the population who can open a product without assistance and in hospital testing, included patients with reduced fine motor skills, dexterity and strength.
In addition to an easy-grip decagon cup shape, SPC ProVital also implemented several product enhancements including a textured lengthened pull tab, instructions which were clear and helpful, optimised seal to reduce opening force, and a large font for improved legibility with excellent print contrast, while delivering 1-serve of fruit.
The 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 percent of the population can open the SPC ProVital 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.
