I tested how long it takes to open the toughest packaging on items from soap to soup – most difficult took over 1 min
IS there anything more frustrating than battling with packaging that you just cannot open?
And it is not only annoying, wrap rage can be dangerous too.
A recent study found pensioners are injuring themselves as they try to prise open basic household products.
Experts said some OAPs are spending up to an hour trying to force things open and others have ended up in hospital after cutting themselves in the process.
Colum Lowe, former head of design at the National Patient Safety Agency, said packaging, including ring pulls, blister packs and child-safe bottles, can be “ageist”.
He added: “People often feel stupid or blame themselves when they can’t get into packaging, but it’s not their fault – it is needlessly bad design, which is ageist.
“Many people have to use gadgets or tools, which are often sharp and dangerous in themselves.
“That should not have to happen.
“We need legal rules to ensure packaging is accessible for everyone.”
A survey by the Design Age Institute discovered that 60 per cent of us find food and medicine packaging most frustrating to negotiate.
I tried opening a selection of everyday items and asked the manufacturers for advice. Here is how I got on . . .
Waitrose essential clingfilm
Time to open: 64 secs
PROBABLY the hardest of the bunch.
The instructions were tricky to follow and the perforations were complicated.
The box was a mess by the time I’d finished and I snagged my finger on the cutting blade. Not easy to open at all.
They say: Rip off the tab to expose the cutting blade.
Tear fully along the perforations so that the roll is exposed in the box.
Find the start of the roll, pull the clingfilm to the desired length, hold down the top then tear against the cutting blade.
Persil 3-in-1 non-bio capsules
Time to open: 69 secs
A TOUGH one to crack, with the child lock making it tricky to open.
It took me a while to master the middle tab and it felt very fiddly.
I couldn’t pull the corner tabs up or hear a click. Brute force did not work either.
I’m not sure it will seal shut again, making the child lock a bit pointless.
They say: Gently press the middle tab inwards, listen for a click and push up. Then do the same for corner tabs.
Listen for a click and push up. Using your index fingers, lift the lid from both sides.
Asda fusilli pasta
Time to open: 6 secs
NOT as hard to open as some of the other resealable packs, as I’ve often experienced rips and tears.
But unfortunately the seal on the product was not strong enough to hold it closed.
So you would probably need to find somewhere else to store it after opening anyway.
They say: Have a look within the packaging to see if you are able to find ways to open it.
Listerine cool-mint mouthwash
Time to open: 23 secs
YOU need decent fingernails to get the plastic covering off the cap, and it took me a while before it was removed.
I imagine a lot of people would need to take a knife or scissors to it.
Then, you have to work out the tamper-proof cap, which requires squeezing and turning at the same time. It took me ages to get it off.
They say: We are dedicated to providing products and packaging of the highest quality that will meet the needs and preferences of our consumers.
Oral-B electric toothbrush
Time to open: 59 secs
THE moulded plastic shell was hellish to open but I did manage to prise the box open without using scissors.
The plastic tore in places and was sharp. It could easily cause cuts to the skin.
Given the cost, you’d think they’d invest a bit more in the packaging.
They say: To open this, squeeze smooth areas on cap and turn.
We have to make it to certain specifications to protect the electrical components and to cover security requirements for a product of this value.
Sharwood’s four plain mini naans
Time to open: 13 secs
THIS one has a heat-sealed vacuum pack which you have to try to grip and pull apart.
It’s hard to imagine how you’d ever open this without taking scissors to the packet.
I tried pulling and tearing the packaging but it was impossible to open with my hands alone, so it was lucky I had scissors to hand.
They say: Sharwood’s is a well-loved and trusted brand.
We wouldn’t knowingly do anything to damage the trust our consumers place in the brand and its products.
Nurofen 200mg tablets x 16
Time to open: 4 secs
I DIDN’T find it hard to open the box and get the tablets out, but the foil backing was quite thick and stiff.
It’s easy to see how it would be hard to get the pills out if you were elderly, with arthritic fingers, or had a condition such as multiple sclerosis.
They say: We were concerned to learn of the circumstances you have described and will investigate this issue.
John West sardines
Time to open: 16 secs
THE ring pull on this was very hard to pull back and you needed quite a bit of strength.
In the process of opening the tin, strong-smelling sardine oil spilt out everywhere, covering my hands and splashing the table.
Not a nice job.
I imagine it would be very tricky for someone who is elderly.
They say: John West did not respond.
Stockwell & Co tomato soup
Time to open: 14 secs
THIS tin of soup without a ring pull might put a lot of customers off.
It’s impossible to open without a can opener, and with one it still took 14 seconds.
As you unscrew it, it would be very easy to cut yourself on the sharp edges of the tin, which remained very rough after opening.
They say: This would need a tin opener to open safely.
Hartley’s strawberry jam
Time to open: 1.5 secs
A TRADITIONAL jar – you just need some brute strength to open it.
I found it easier to hold it sideways first to release the pressure and make the lid easier to unscrew.
It’s also easier to grip this way, though it did slip in my hands a bit. This one popped open after just a second.
They say: We have passed on this feedback to our marketing colleagues as this kind of insight is invaluable to them when they consider making changes in the future.