Food Packaging - - Roles, Materials, and Environmental Issues. April 1, 2. 00. 7. First published in Journal of Food Science. R3. 9–R5. 5. Simply stated, packaging maintains the benefits of food processing after the process is complete, enabling foods to travel safely for long distances from their point of origin and still be wholesome at the time of consumption. However, packaging technology must balance food protection with other issues, including energy and material costs, heightened social and environmental consciousness, and strict regulations on pollutants and disposal of municipal solid waste. Municipal solid waste (MSW) consists of items commonly thrown away, including packages, food scraps, yard trimmings, and durable items such as refrigerators and computers. Legislative and regulatory efforts to control packaging are based on the mistaken perception that packaging is the major burden of MSW. Don T Stand So Close To The Window Lyrics Lil.

Instead, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) found that approximately only 3. MSW generated in 2.

MSW. Nonpackaging sources such as newsprint, telephone books, and office communication generate more than twice as much MSW (EPA 2. Food is the only product class typically consumed 3 times per day by every person. Consequently, food packaging accounts for almost two- thirds of total packaging waste by volume (Hunt and others 1. Moreover, food packaging is approximately 5. Although the specific knowledge available has changed since publication of the 1st Scientific Status Summary on the relationship between packaging and MSW (IFT 1. This article describes the role of food packaging in the food supply chain, the types of materials used in food packaging, and the impact of food packaging on the environment. In addition, this document provides an overview of EPA's solid waste management guidelines and other waste management options.

Finally, it addresses disposal methods and legislation on packaging disposal. Roles of Food Packaging The principal roles of food packaging are to protect food products from outside influences and damage, to contain the food, and to provide consumers with ingredient and nutritional information (Coles 2. Traceability, convenience, and tamper indication are secondary functions of increasing importance. The goal of food packaging is to contain food in a cost- effective way that satisfies industry requirements and consumer desires, maintains food safety, and minimizes environmental impact. Protection/preservation. Food packaging can retard product deterioration, retain the beneficial effects of processing, extend shelf- life, and maintain or increase the quality and safety of food.

In doing so, packaging provides protection from 3 major classes of external influences: chemical, biological, and physical. Chemical protection minimizes compositional changes triggered by environmental influences such as exposure to gases (typically oxygen), moisture (gain or loss), or light (visible, infrared, or ultraviolet). Many different packaging materials can provide a chemical barrier. Glass and metals provide a nearly absolute barrier to chemical and other environmental agents, but few packages are purely glass or metal since closure devices are added to facilitate both filling and emptying. Easy Way To Hack Instagram here. Closure devices may contain materials that allow minimal levels of permeability.

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2. Packaging technology must balance food protection with other issues, including energy and material costs, heightened social and environmental consciousness, and.
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For example, plastic caps have some permeability to gases and vapors, as do the gasket materials used in caps to facilitate closure and in metal can lids to allow sealing after filling. Plastic packaging offers a large range of barrier properties but is generally more permeable than glass or metal. Biological protection provides a barrier to microorganisms (pathogens and spoiling agents), insects, rodents, and other animals, thereby preventing disease and spoilage.

In addition, biological barriers maintain conditions to control senescence (ripening and aging). Such barriers function via a multiplicity of mechanisms, including preventing access to the product, preventing odor transmission, and maintaining the internal environment of the package.

Physical protection shields food from mechanical damage and includes cushioning against the shock and vibration encountered during distribution. Typically developed from paperboard and corrugated materials, physical barriers resist impacts, abrasions, and crushing damage, so they are widely used as shipping containers and as packaging for delicate foods such as eggs and fresh fruits. Appropriate physical packaging also protects consumers from various hazards. For example, child- resistant closures hinder access to potentially dangerous products. In addition, the substitution of plastic packaging for products ranging from shampoo to soda bottles has reduced the danger from broken glass containers. Containment and food waste reduction.

Any assessment of food packaging's impact on the environment must consider the positive benefits of reduced food waste throughout the supply chain. Significant food wastage has been reported in many countries, ranging from 2. FAO 1. 98. 9). Inadequate preservation/protection, storage, and transportation have been cited as causes of food waste. Packaging reduces total waste by extending the shelf- life of foods, thereby prolonging their usability. Rathje and others (1.

Mexico City contained less packaging, more food waste, and one- third more total waste than generated in comparable U. S. In addition, Rathje and others (1.

Therefore, packaging may contribute to the reduction of total solid waste. Marketing and information. A package is the face of a product and often is the only product exposure consumers experience prior to purchase. Consequently, distinctive or innovative packaging can boost sales in a competitive environment. The package may be designed to enhance the product image and/or to differentiate the product from the competition.

For example, larger labels may be used to accommodate recipes. Packaging also provides information to the consumer. For example, package labeling satisfies legal requirements for product identification, nutritional value, ingredient declaration, net weight, and manufacturer information. Additionally, the package conveys important information about the product such as cooking instructions, brand identification, and pricing.

All of these enhancements may impact waste disposal. Traceability. The Codex Alimentarius Commission defines traceability as . Traceability has 3 objectives: to improve supply management, to facilitate trace- back for food safety and quality purposes, and to differentiate and market foods with subtle or undetectable quality attributes (Golan and others 2. Food manufacturing companies incorporate unique codes onto the package labels of their products; this allows them to track their products throughout the distribution process. Codes are available in various formats (for example, printed barcodes or electronic radio frequency identification .

Convenience Convenience features such as ease of access, handling, and disposal; product visibility; resealability; and microwavability greatly influence package innovation. As a consequence, packaging plays a vital role in minimizing the effort necessary to prepare and serve foods. Oven- safe trays, boil- in bags, and microwavable packaging enable consumers to cook an entire meal with virtually no preparation. New closure designs supply ease of opening, resealability, and special dispensing features. For example, a cookie manufacturer recently introduced a flexible bag with a scored section that provides access to the cookies. A membrane with a peelable seal covers the opening before sale and allows reclosure after opening.

Advances in food packaging have facilitated the development of modern retail formats that offer consumers the convenience of 1- stop shopping and the availability of food from around the world. These convenience features add value and competitive advantages to products but may also influence the amount and type of packaging waste requiring disposal.