A new Canadian study has found that gender-specific packaging influences what we buy in the grocery store, and also whether we think the products are good for us. More stereotypically feminine packaging, with subtle colours and script-style fonts, is used for healthier foods, 
Sources: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/gendered-packaging-influences-what-we-buy-how-we-perceive-food-products-1.3277895
while more masculine packaging with bold colours and large fonts is often wrapped around less healthy items. 
Sources: http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/gendered-packaging-influences-what-we-buy-how-we-perceive-food-products-1.3277895
Furthermore, the news also mentioned that, for food companies, matching gender stereotypes to packaging will mean better sales.
It can be explained well with our real life situation. For Class 11, everyone in my group brought chocolate with them to the class. There are in different brands and different packing. Two girls in my group brought Hersey’s and Lindell. The colors of the packaging are white and blue which make people feel calmer. White and blue also attracts more female customers compare with bright orange and black. The boy in my group bought Oh Henery!. The packaging of that is in yellow and large font. Oh Henery has a masculine packaging. When we compared the nutrition facts, Oh Henery does contain more calories and fats then Hersey’s and Lindell chocolate. The boys don’t care about their body as much as the girls do. Which can be explained that why would the boy in my group bought Oh Henery than the other brands.
Most of the time we tend to think that our decisions, are made rationally with evidence and reasoning. But no, all these little cues in our surrounding environment can have a huge impact on what we think and what we decide to do. The takeaway message from the study and our real life example is that, especially for food manufacturers, companies have to position your product well. That means if your food is genuinely healthy, then your packaging needs to be consistent with that — that means feminine. Otherwise, it will be hard for you to get a good sales volume.
Reference link:
Summerfield, Robin. “Gendered Packaging Influences What We Buy, How We Perceive Food Products.” CBC News. N.p., 20 Oct. 2015. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
