At a Glance
- GLP-1 use is driving smaller portions and higher demand for protein, fresh, and functional foods.
- Multi-serve packaging is declining; single-serve and portion-controlled formats are growing.
- Health-focused buyers also expect clear labeling and sustainable packaging.
- Distributors and retailers must pivot formats, diversify categories, and align with wellness trends to stay competitive.
If you’re in the food business, you’ve probably noticed something shifting. In fact, if you’re in any business, you have probably noticed a change, not just in operations, but in our modern-day food culture. Customers are buying differently. Portion sizes are changing. Some categories are booming while others are struggling. And if you haven’t connected these dots to GLP-1 medications yet, you’re not alone — but you’re going to need to catch up.
Medications like Ozempic and Wegovy aren’t just changing waistlines and diabetes management. They’re fundamentally reshaping (see what we did there?) how/what people eat, how much they buy, and crucially for your business, what kind of packaging they expect.
Inline Plastics has been in the business of packaging fresh food for over 55 years. We have seen trends rise and have experience navigating these new playing fields. Today, we want to share what we are seeing as GLP-1 medications alter the consumer landscape — and what that could mean for your food business.
This article will walk you through exactly how GLP-1 usage is impacting packaging, what the data tells us about where this is headed, and how to plan by packaging type so you can make the right moves now to stay ahead.
How Exactly Are GLP-1 Medications Affecting Food Consumption?
Let’s start with the numbers that should grab your attention. According to research from Circana, 23% of U.S. households were using GLP-1 medications as of September 2025. That’s roughly 30 million households — and the number is growing fast.
These medications work by suppressing appetite and altering taste perception. The result? People eat less and differently. Circana’s data shows that households using GLP-1 for weight loss reduced their grocery spending by approximately 6% within six months of starting the medication.
But here’s where it gets interesting for packaging folks (that’s us): It’s not just about eating less. It’s about eating differently. Purchases of calorie-dense, processed items such as chips, sweet baked goods, and salad dressings declined significantly, while spending on yogurt, fresh produce, meat snacks, and nutrition bars had increased modestly. And the data only gets more fascinating from there!
Why Should Packaging Distributors and Buyers Care About This?
Here’s the reality: If you’re supplying packaging or buying it for your products, GLP-1 medications are already affecting your business. You might not have named it yet, but those shifts in order volumes and format requests? Those could be the result of these treatments.
According to Jim Owen, Senior Analyst for Packaging & Logistics at Rabobank, “As more consumers begin their journey with AOMs (Anti-Obesity Medications), their changing relationship with food will have significant implications for packaging producers.”
Below is a summary of how those shifts are playing out by packaging type:
Flexible plastic is seeing growth in fresh and functional categories (think resealable pouches for protein snacks), while facing headwinds in traditional snack packaging. Multi-serve chip bags? Declining. Single-serve, portion-controlled protein packs? Growing.
Rigid plastic is experiencing a pullback in multi-serve formats (those big tubs of yogurt and frozen meal trays), but demand is strong for single-serve, high-protein dairy cups and functional beverage bottles.
Glass faces a double challenge: Declining alcohol consumption and reduced sugar-filled spreads and sauces (sadly, for those of us who overindulge, occasions of this kind of carefree consumption are becoming a thing of the past — sorry, 1980s-themed party nights). But there’s opportunities in premium functional beverages, probiotic foods, and artisanal products where glass’s health-conscious appeal matters.
Paper-based packaging is shifting away from sugary cereal boxes and traditional breakfast foods, but is seeing growth in protein bar multipacks, high-protein yogurt secondary packaging, and meal kit components.
Which Packaging Formats Are Actually Winning Right Now
The short answer: Smaller, single-serve, and functional.
Circana’s research shows that GLP-1 users are specifically seeking products that support their medication journeys. That means packaging that delivers:
- Portion control: Single-serve formats that make it easy to manage intake
- Protein visibility: Clear labeling of high-protein content
- Functional benefits: Packaging that communicates satiety, digestive health, or metabolic wellness
Think about what that means for your packaging decisions. Those bulk formats that drove efficiency for years? They’re losing ground to portion-controlled multipacks. That flexible film line optimized for large chip bags? It might need to pivot to air-popped snacks like popcorn.
How Fast Is This Change Really Happening?
Fast enough that you need to act now, but gradual enough that you have time to get it right.
Owen notes that “While the impact of these medications could also be felt in metal packaging, this report does not cover that substrate, given that it is well positioned in emerging beverage segments and health-focused drinks.”
Here’s what the data tells us: Circana estimates that by 2030, 35% of food and beverage units and 37% of nonfood units could come from GLP-1 households if current trends hold. That’s a substantial market shift.
But here’s the thing — this isn’t just about GLP-1 users. It’s about the broader wellness trends that GLP-1 medications are accelerating. Even people not on these treatments are shifting toward:
- Higher protein consumption
- Better gut-health focus
- More hydration
- Portion control
- Avoiding ultra-processed foods
As Rabobank’s research notes, “The quest for longevity and healthful living has increased use of GLP-1s.” This is part of a larger story about how Americans are rethinking their relationship with food.
What Should You Actually Do About This?
If you’re a distributor, here’s your playbook straight from Owen’s research:
First, assess your asset flexibility. Can your current production lines adapt to the format shifts? If you’re heavy in multi-serve rigid plastic, can you pivot to single-serve? If you’re focused on snack films, can you transition to fresh produce applications?
Second, strengthen your sustainability credentials. Both Circana and Rabobank note that health-conscious consumers are also eco-conscious. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certifications, recycled content, and fiber-based alternatives aren’t nice-to-haves anymore.
Third, collaborate closely with your customers. Owen emphasizes the need to “develop innovative, high-impact packaging solutions” in partnership with brands. The winning distributors will be the ones who help their customers navigate this shift.
Fourth, diversify your portfolio. Don’t bet everything on traditional formats. Owen specifically recommends “expanding partnerships with emerging health-focused brands” to reduce risk exposure to declining categories.
If you’re a buyer or retailer, the move is to rethink your assortment through the GLP-1 lens. Circana’s research shows that specialty stores and value formats are gaining market share. Why? Because they’re better at curating for these new needs.
Where Do We Go from Here with GLP-1 Medications?
Will some categories of packaged food consumption decline? Absolutely. Circana’s data is clear on that. But others will boom, and entirely new ones may emerge. The question isn’t whether this shift is happening — it’s whether you’re positioning yourself to capture the growth.
As Owen concludes: “Success in this evolving landscape will depend on the ability to realign production assets, innovate with lightweight and high-barrier materials, and collaborate closely with brands to ensure packaging solutions support the new era of food consumption.”
What does this actually mean? The GLP-1 revolution isn’t coming. It’s already here. Your packaging strategy needs to catch up.
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