Shaped canister is a ‘sweet’ package

-- Packaging Digest, 6/1/2007

Consumers in Canada who want to reduce their caloric intake won't have to look far. Tate & Lyle Canada, Ltd. has launched Redpath Half, a new sweetener product that has half of the calories and all of the taste of sugar. Tate & Lyle Canada has selected the Linearpak(R) can, a distinctively shaped rigid paperboard canister from Sonoco (www.sonoco.com), to reinforce the uniqueness of Redpath Half from other traditional sugar brands as well as nonsugar sweeteners. Sonoco supplies Tate & Lyle Canada with two sizes of Linearpak cans, a 4013407 that holds 210 g and a 5023514 that holds 400 g. The nonround cans are made of 100-percent-recycled paperboard with a barrier foil liner that helps lock out moisture and oxygen and keep the granular sweetener free of clumps, so it's quick to dissolve. A tabbed, peelable membrane adhered to the rim of the can and a red plastic overcap, both of which are also supplied by Sonoco, complete the Redpath Half package.

According to Tate & Lyle Canada, the selection of the Linearpak can was based on its differentiation in the supermarket sweetener section and its ability to enhance the consumer's experience with Redpath Half. Tate & Lyle wanted something completely different from anything currently used in the sugar category and wanted a package that would stand out on the grocery shelf. Most importantly, it desired a package that was consumer friendly, easy to use and reclosable. The company says that the shapely canister from Sonoco easily met all of Tate & Lyle's requirements.

The can continues to please consumers once they get it home. The membrane top serves as a freshness barrier and a security feature, providing tamper-evidence, and it's easy to store. The sweetener is available in eastern Canada.