The new look of school drink vending packages

Diverse trends, ranging from on-the-go consumption to healthy eating to rising distribution costs, are making waves in aseptic packaging. With more types of products being filled into aseptic packs, and with a greater variety of aseptic package types available, processors that might not have considered aseptic in the past are diving in.
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Much of the recent action has been in low-acid products, particularly milk-based offerings, and at the other end of the spectrum, in wine.

The emphasis on healthier dietary choices for children and teenagers is certainly reshaping the market for aseptic milk-based products. In particular, the American Beverage Assn. (ABA) and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation last year published new School Beverage Guidelines designed to provide America's 35 million students with a range of nutritious, lower-calorie, smaller-portion beverage choices. The guidelines ask elementary and middle schools to provide only bottled water, low-fat/non-fat milk (regular and flavored) and 100 percent juice. In addition to those products, high schools may sell no- or low-calorie beverages, light juice and sports drinks.