Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a primary function of food packaging?
Which of the following is NOT a primary function of food packaging?
What aspect of packaging is MOST directly related to extending the desired shelf-life of a product?
What aspect of packaging is MOST directly related to extending the desired shelf-life of a product?
Which of these factors is a ‘functional’ consideration in food packaging?
Which of these factors is a ‘functional’ consideration in food packaging?
What does the term 'scalping' refer to, within the context of food packaging?
What does the term 'scalping' refer to, within the context of food packaging?
Signup and view all the answers
Which characteristic is NOT considered within the concept of sustainable food packaging?
Which characteristic is NOT considered within the concept of sustainable food packaging?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing food shelf-life, according to the text provided?
Which of the following is NOT a primary factor influencing food shelf-life, according to the text provided?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the content given, what is the relationship of relative humidity to water activity?
According to the content given, what is the relationship of relative humidity to water activity?
Signup and view all the answers
Based on the information given, which packaging material would be LEAST suitable for milk due to its light transmission properties?
Based on the information given, which packaging material would be LEAST suitable for milk due to its light transmission properties?
Signup and view all the answers
Which combination should be avoided to minimize the reduction of food product quality?
Which combination should be avoided to minimize the reduction of food product quality?
Signup and view all the answers
Under what condition is packaging considered useful in extending the shelf-life of a food product?
Under what condition is packaging considered useful in extending the shelf-life of a food product?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the provided content, what is the typical range for the ratio of CO2 to O2 permeability in food packaging materials?
According to the provided content, what is the typical range for the ratio of CO2 to O2 permeability in food packaging materials?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the provided content, what effect does nitrogen have on the package?
According to the provided content, what effect does nitrogen have on the package?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the significance of the Arrhenius relation in the context of material permeability?
What is the significance of the Arrhenius relation in the context of material permeability?
Signup and view all the answers
What does 'OTR' refer to in the context of packaging permeability?
What does 'OTR' refer to in the context of packaging permeability?
Signup and view all the answers
What is NOT stated as a method to increase barrier properties of packaging materials?
What is NOT stated as a method to increase barrier properties of packaging materials?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key factor to consider when determining the required shelf-life of a food product?
What is a key factor to consider when determining the required shelf-life of a food product?
Signup and view all the answers
When considering secondary and tertiary packaging, what is a crucial factor to account for?
When considering secondary and tertiary packaging, what is a crucial factor to account for?
Signup and view all the answers
Which aspect is primarily associated with the 'Convenience' element of food packaging?
Which aspect is primarily associated with the 'Convenience' element of food packaging?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of these is a characteristic of 'Sustainable' food packaging?
Which of these is a characteristic of 'Sustainable' food packaging?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key interaction to understand in the field of food packaging?
What is a key interaction to understand in the field of food packaging?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the content, what significantly influences the performance of food packaging materials?
According to the content, what significantly influences the performance of food packaging materials?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the overall objective of focusing on convenience features in the packaging sector?
What is the overall objective of focusing on convenience features in the packaging sector?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the information provided, what is the primary factor limiting the shelf life of ready-to-eat meals and fresh potato slices?
According to the information provided, what is the primary factor limiting the shelf life of ready-to-eat meals and fresh potato slices?
Signup and view all the answers
Based on the provided information, what is the impact of increased barrier properties on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in the context of food safety?
Based on the provided information, what is the impact of increased barrier properties on the growth of Listeria monocytogenes in the context of food safety?
Signup and view all the answers
For ready-to-eat meals, which of the following pairings of top film and tray materials offers a 'medium' oxygen barrier?
For ready-to-eat meals, which of the following pairings of top film and tray materials offers a 'medium' oxygen barrier?
Signup and view all the answers
According to the provided material, what is a suitable alternative for OPA/EVOH/OPA/PE flowpack for fresh potato slices?
According to the provided material, what is a suitable alternative for OPA/EVOH/OPA/PE flowpack for fresh potato slices?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a commonality in the shelf life for both ready-to-eat meals and fresh potato slices, as specified in the material?
What is a commonality in the shelf life for both ready-to-eat meals and fresh potato slices, as specified in the material?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following describes a typical multi-layer structure for food packaging, using lamination?
Which of the following describes a typical multi-layer structure for food packaging, using lamination?
Signup and view all the answers
A multi-layer film designed to reduce oxygen permeation is composed of 15 µm PET, 6 µm EVOH, and 20 µm PE. How does the oxygen permeability of this film compare to a 100 µm PE film?
A multi-layer film designed to reduce oxygen permeation is composed of 15 µm PET, 6 µm EVOH, and 20 µm PE. How does the oxygen permeability of this film compare to a 100 µm PE film?
Signup and view all the answers
During shelf life, the oxygen level inside a food package sometimes decreases. What is the main reason for this?
During shelf life, the oxygen level inside a food package sometimes decreases. What is the main reason for this?
Signup and view all the answers
Which factor is NOT a major influence on the quality of a heat seal?
Which factor is NOT a major influence on the quality of a heat seal?
Signup and view all the answers
Which material is most commonly used for heat sealable layers in food packaging films?
Which material is most commonly used for heat sealable layers in food packaging films?
Signup and view all the answers
In conductance sealing, how are the sealing jaws typically configured?
In conductance sealing, how are the sealing jaws typically configured?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the main purpose of tamper-evident features on food packaging?
What is the main purpose of tamper-evident features on food packaging?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following is NOT a common technique used for providing tamper-evidence?
Which of the following is NOT a common technique used for providing tamper-evidence?
Signup and view all the answers
Which process involves the application of a thin metallic layer onto a packaging film for improved barrier properties?
Which process involves the application of a thin metallic layer onto a packaging film for improved barrier properties?
Signup and view all the answers
What does MPET/PE typically indicate in the context of packaging materials?
What does MPET/PE typically indicate in the context of packaging materials?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Food Packaging
- Food packaging is a discipline of food technology focusing on the composition, materials, and integration of functional components in packaging to optimize shelf life.
- Key areas of focus include optimal packaging composition for food products in relation to required shelf-life and sustainable materials, improving barrier properties to protect against oxygen, light, and moisture intrusion.
- Additionally, microbial packaging considerations and minimizing food losses through full concept packaging are crucial.
Introduction
- The presenter is a professor in food packaging technology (50%) and a director of Pack4Food (50%).
- Their focus at Ghent University is on optimal packaging composition, sustainable materials, and functional components for required shelf life and barrier properties.
- Prof. Dr. ir. Peter Ragaert works at Ghent University, Department of Food Technology, Safety and Health, in the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering.
Pack4Food
- Pack4Food is an organization involved in both industry and research institutes related to food packaging.
- It covers stages from raw materials to retail, encompassing filling systems, food, printing, and packaging.
Pack4Food Members
- The slide shows a list of diverse food companies, machinery providers, and packaging firms that are members of Pack4Food.
What is Packaging?
- Presentation highlights the problem of global plastic pollution in waterways and on beaches, emphasizing that packaging is needed to preserve food for its journey to the consumer to minimize food spoilage and waste..
- Packaging is also vital for protection, convenience, and optimal storage conditions for preserving food during transit including temperature and humidity control.
What is Packaging? (Continued)
- Packaging encompasses different types, such as primary, secondary, and tertiary.
- They serve various functions, such as offering protection, convenience, and sustainability.
What is Packaging? (Continued)
- The visual aids illustrate a wide variety of packaging, from grocery storage to food containers for transport in various environments.
- The presenter emphasizes the complex interactions between food properties, packaging materials, and filling systems impacting the quality and safety of consumer goods.
- Packaging is crucial for preserving food quality, safety, and extending its useful life.
Packaging Within the Food Industry
- Includes factors influencing shelf life such as oxygen, light, water activity.
- The correct selection of packaging and packaging machines are crucial.
- Primary packaging is the part of a product's packaging that directly contacts the product.
Factors Determining Shelf Life
- Protection factors considered are rodents, insects, deteriorative reactions, oxidation processes (O2), water, and light.
- Key properties influencing shelf life include microbiological stability, chemical stability, O2, light, H2O, desired shelf life, and storage conditions.
- Packaging is only effective when the food product starts ideally, meaning it's quality must be good.
- Determining factors for shelf life are oxygen, chemical reactions, enzymatic reactions, microbiological growth, water (aw, relative humidity), and light (UV and visible).
Types of Packaging (Market Share)
- Key packaging materials include metal, glass, paper/wood, and plastics..
- Paper and Paperboard and plastics make up approximately 70% of the market.
- The other approximately 30% includes metal and glass..
- Data from Rexam (2011) was used for the pie chart to identify the market share of packaging materials.
Composition of Packaging
- Packaging materials frequently use basic resources like metal, glass, paper, paperboard, and polymers.
- Modifications, Additives (anti-fog components), Orientation (PP vs OPP vs BOPP), Multi-layer packaging (lamination), Inks, and glues are included in the composition.
Metal Packaging
- Metal packaging commonly includes steel, aluminum, and tin.
- Common applications for metal packaging include cans (steel+tin), closures (steel+tin), and trays or foil (aluminum).
- Metal's properties result in high mechanical strength and low toxicity with excellent barrier properties and temperature resistance combined with design for decoration and integration with other materials.
Glass Packaging
- Silica, other raw materials, and coloring agents are components for creating glass for packaging.
- Glass packaging is used for bottles (e.g. drinks) and cans (e.g., sterilized food products).
- It provides excellent barrier properties to gas and water, along with temperature resistance.
Paper and Paperboard Packaging
- Raw materials for paper consist of pulp from separating plant fibers reformed into sheets.
- Treatments such as calendering, adhesives, coatings, pigments are used to create paper or paperboard packaging.
- Types of paper, such as paper, paperboard, and corrugated board, and their applications are mentioned.
- Different types of primary packaging, and specifically beverage cartons (coated with LDPE), are highlighted. Secondary and tertiary packaging are also part of the presentation.
Plastics
- Plastics are commonly used as packaging materials.
- Common forms are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PVC, polystyrene (PS), PVDC and polyamide (PA), and others.
- There are different classifications and applications.
Plastics: Polyolefins
- Polyethylene (PE) is a versatile plastic frequently used for packaging due to its deep-freeze resistance, flexibility, and a range of density.
- Polypropylene (PP) is known for its heat resistance (up to 125°C), transparency as a film, and good barrier properties.
- Important data for barrier properties for different materials is presented.
Barrier Properties of Plastics
- Data from various materials (e.g., PE, OPP, MOPP, PVDC/OPP, PA/EVOH/PA/PE, OPA/PP, OPA/EVOH/OPA/PP, PET, PET-SiOx) are given for their impact on OTR (oxygen transmission rate) and WVTR (water vapor transmission rate).
Plastics: EVOH
- Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) is a key component in multilayer packaging designs due to its superior barrier properties against gases, odors, and solvents, and hydrophilic nature, enabling effective moisture absorption.
- EVOH is often incorporated into other materials based on multilayer applications.
- Examples include polymers like PET/PE/EVOH/PE, which combines the strengths of the different layers.
Plastics: Polyesters
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a widely used polyester often seen in bottles.
- The packaging material has excellent transparency, which is largely amorphous, while also possessing controlled crystallization properties.
- Characteristics and applications for PET are covered.
Plastics: PS
- Polystyrene (PS) is discussed as an amorphous material with diverse forms, including High-Impact Polystyrene (HIPS) for thermoforming and Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) for foam applications.
- Specific examples of PS application in food packaging (i.e., trays for meat/produce) are given.
Plastics: PVDC
- Polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) is known for its specific combination of low permeability/barriers to water vapor and other gases, odors, greases, and alcohols.
- It is frequently found in multilayer packaging components.
- An example application is packaging dry biscuits.
Plastics: PA
- Polyamide (PA) is also known as nylon.
- It offers good gas barrier properties, excellent thermal stability, and high mechanical strength, but is highly permeable to water vapor.
Packaging: Migration
- EU 1935/2004 regulations for all food contact materials regulate the transference of substances to minimize hazards to public health and organoleptic properties.
- EU 10/2011 regulations are specific to plastics considering substances for food container production.
- Specific migration limits (SML) are also considered.
Packaging: Measuring Migration (OML)
- Simulants such as 10% ethanol, 3% acetic acid, 20% ethanol, and 50% ethanol for acidic, alcoholic, and fatty foods are presented.
- Vegetable oil (MPPO) is a simulant for dry foods.
- OML (Overall Migration Limit) is presented in the context of measuring packaging migration.
Packaging: Measuring Migration (SML)
- Specific migration limits (SML) are determined by the specifics of the compounds stated in the positive list of PIM.
- SML is calculated from the temperature, packaging materials, and thickness.
Communication
- Consumer behavior and preferences are significant factors to consider regarding communication strategy and packaging design.
- Legislation influencing packaging and product labels are present.
- Augmented Reality and NFC technologies are presented as examples of modern communication methods in food packaging.
Example Technical Paper (1): BicorTM 32MB768 Oriented Polypropylene Film
- This is a technical paper detailing the composition and advantages of a specific packaging type with a focus on the benefits of a particular material (oriented polypropylen film) in the context of creating barriers to moisture, gas, and odors.
Example Technical Paper (2)
- Data illustrating various physical properties of the material (e.g. heat seal range, coefficient of friction, water vapor, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and nitrogen transmission rates) are provided.
Packaging Machines
- Several types of packaging machines (e.g., Form-Fill-Seal (FFS), Tray Sealers, Flowpack Machine, Chamber Machines, and Bottle/Can Filling Systems) are described in detail.
Aseptic Packaging
- Aseptic packaging techniques are described to maintain the sterility of containers and products to extend the shelf life of packaged products at room temperature.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
- The principles of modifying food packaging atmosphere (MAP) are discussed.
- Active and passive methods used in modifying food storage environments are also presented.
MAP: Used Gases
- CO2 and O2 are discussed as important gases used in the MAP process. Specific properties and implications (including risks) are presented.
- The applications for differing gas mixtures and products (i.e. fruits and vegetables, red meat, fish) are described.
MAP: Applications
- Choice of packaging materials (e.g., EVOH, PA, aluminum, metallized coatings, PVdC) and materials, such as trays, cups, and bottles, relevant to the type of product packaged are described.
- Key characteristics of the materials relating to the MAP process (i.e. thermal stability) are evaluated and provided as an example for how the different materials used in the MAP process are discussed.
- Example thicknesses of various films for combining different materials are presented.
Typical Packaging Materials for MAP
- Various food product packaging materials are discussed considering applications for thermoformed trays, lid films, and pouches in the context of MAP.
- Different thicknesses are provided for the purpose of material combination considerations.
Typical Gas Mixtures for MAP
- Typical gas mixtures for MAP are detailed.
- Examples include different percentages of oxygen and carbon dioxide for specific products such as fresh red meat and cured meats.
Packaging - Sustainability
- Key messages discuss the need to consider the food products and relevant packaging, along with the importance of optimizing packaging optimization and the responsibility of all stakeholders involved throughout the different stages of the supply chain.
- Different strategies for collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging materials/products are discussed.
- Important aspects to maintain are food quality and food safety concerning products.
Collection - Sorting – Recycling
- Efficient system strategies for collection, sorting, and recycling of packaging materials are explained in detail, such as important roles in policy and consumer actions..
- Specific techniques and approaches including the use of unique codes, tracers, and digital watermarks to improve recycling processes are introduced.
Packaging - Bioplastics
- Bioplastics materials are described, along with their properties.
- The factors related to resources and end-of-life properties relating to the concept of bio-based, compostable, and bioplastic packaging are presented.
Convenience - Heat Resistance
- A review of the important property of heat resistance related to convenience aspects of food, including trays and packaging materials and their suitability for microwave or classical oven applications.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
Test your knowledge on the essential functions, materials, and considerations related to food packaging. This quiz covers topics such as shelf-life extension, functional considerations, and sustainable practices in food packaging. Perfect for students studying food science or related fields.
