Food Packaging PDF

FDE 418 Food Packaging : PART I Food Packaging General Definitions Packaging Materials (Plastic ; Glass, Paper ; Metal) Packaging of different Food Categories Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) ; Aseptic Packaging Active & Intelligent Packaging Engineering Design for Food Packages Packaging and F...

FDE 418 Food Packaging : PART I Food Packaging General Definitions Packaging Materials (Plastic ; Glass, Paper ; Metal) Packaging of different Food Categories Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) ; Aseptic Packaging Active & Intelligent Packaging Engineering Design for Food Packages Packaging and Food Safety & Quality ( Migration ; Scalping) Edible Packaging New Trends in Food Packaging Sustainability and Packaging and Legislative Aspects Part I Introduction to Food Packaging Plastic Polymers and Plastic Packaging Materials Food Packaging ❖ Food packaging is of paramount significance to preserve the quality of fresh and processed foods. ❖It would be practically impossible for the food processors to distribute food without packaging. Very few foods are sold unpackaged Food Packaging Good packaging prevents waste and ensures that the food retains its desired quality throughout its shelf life. Is the food packaging unnecessary? Is it a waste of resources or an environmental menace? Such views arise because, by the time most consumers come into contact with a package, its job, in many cases, is almost over. Packaging Functions The several packaging functions include: ✓ physical protection ✓ prevention of spoilage and contamination ✓ preservation of food quality ✓ product information ✓ bring convenience ✓ facilitate transportation as well as distribution. Definition Therefore, food packaging may be defined as: ‘the enclosure of food products in a wrapped pouch, bag, box, tray, can, bottle or any other packaging material with the functions of containment, protection, preservation, communication, utility and performance.’ Packaging may be performed before processing (canning, retort pouch, dairy fermentations, etc.) or can be followed after major processing steps (pasteurization, ultra high temperature (UHT) processing, baking, frying, etc.). Functions of Packaging Containment Protection Convenience Communication Containment The other basic packaging function is to contain food products in specific containers (packages) to facilitate transportation and distribution throughout the supply chain. Keeps food together. It would be impossible to move liquid products without packages. The problems of food without packaging include mixing of graded food stuffs, bruising of soft fruits, physical damage due to friction of loose materials, contamination with air suspended particles, etc. Therefore, packaging reduces the huge loss of food products in the entire product chain.  Protection The deterioration of food is either caused by: ▪ external factors like oxygen, moisture, off flavors, toxins, microorganisms, mass transfer, physical and mechanical damage, or ▪ internal factors like inherent microorganisms. Therefore, the primary function of the package is to: protect the food from adverse effects of environment, retain the beneficial effects of processing, extend the shelf life and maintain the quality and safety of fresh or processed foods. The diversity in composition, structure, and physiology of fresh and processed foods demands varying levels of protection throughout the supply chain. Therefore, the packaging should be aimed to protect the food from physical, chemical, and biological hazards.  Protection Physical protection shields the food from mechanical damage due to shock and vibration during transportation and distribution. Packaging materials like paperboard, corrugated materials, etc. resist impact, abrasion, and crushing damage caused to fruits, eggs, cakes, etc., during transportation. The replacement of glass bottles with plastic packaging material is another example for increasing the physical protection levels to liquid foods. Chemical protection is aimed to reduce the compositional changes caused due to, for example, oxidation, light, and the resulting degradation of color, vitamins, and nutrients. Glass packaging materials, for example, are inert with absolute barrier to substances, but lack protection against light, whereas metal packaging materials act as an absolute barrier but with some migration issues. Plastic packaging materials as commonly used in food packaging show a wide range of different levels of barrier properties. The third role is to protect the food from biological deterioration caused by spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms (bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and viruses), and animals like insects or rodents.  Convenience Industrialization and busy work schedules demand the food and packaging industry to bring convenience to food through innovative packaging solutions. The packaging industry has brought convenience by incorporating features such as easy opening, reclosability and processing in the package via, for example, microwavable packaging, oven safe trays or boil in bags. This has enabled the consumers to prepare food in shorter time, which in turn has increased the global demand for packed food.  Convenience Necessity of modern industrialized societies Food should be apportioned into consumer-sized dimensions. For a product that is not entirely consumed when the package is first opened, the package should be resealable and retain the quality of the product until completely used. The shape (relative proportions) of the primary package with regard to consumer convenience (e.g., easy to hold, open, and pour as appropriate) and efficiency in building into secondary and tertiary packages should be convenient. Product image by the packaging: “The package is the final salesman” Affecting the choice of the customer by: Design Printing Materials used Actions  Communication Each package is labeled to inform the consumers about the product contents, brand, shelf life, and storage conditions. This communication is important to consumers in order to know the product quality, characteristics, and handling, besides assistance in marketing strategies. Several packaging designs are used to accommodate the product information (nutrients, weight, brand labels, certification, ingredient labeling, barcodes, etc.) in order to satisfy the legal requirements and to promote the product branding. Moreover, the package conveys important information on product storage, cooking instructions, price, and life cycle. Communication It enables consumers to instantly recognize products through distinctive shapes, branding, and labeling enables supermarkets to function on a self-service basis. By allowing brands to be created and standardized, it makes advertising meaningful and large-scale distribution possible. Other communication functions of the package include a universal product code (UPC) that can be read accurately and rapidly, serving instructions, and nutritional information on the outside of the package. Packaging Materials A number of packaging materials are currently in use for food applications, which are accepted by regulatory bodies like the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Union (EU), etc. The packaging design and material properties determine the package end use and shelf life of packaged foods. Glass, paper, metal, and plastics are the most important groups of materials used for food packaging. Packaging Materials Plastics Polyolefins Copolymers of ethylene Substituted olefins Polyesters Polyamides Biobased plastics: Starch, Chitosan, Polylactic acid, Poly(hydroxyalkanoates), Biopolyethylene, Biopolyethylene terephthalate, Regenerated cellulose film Glass Metal Paper