Packaging material: Safety, Wholesomeness and

Food Quality
César Ponce
Agrorum

Food comes into contact with many materials and items throughout its life.
useful, that is, during the processes of production, processing, storage,
preparation and services prior to consumption.

Packaging plays a vital role in preserving safety and quality in the industry.
of food, which is why it is necessary to take care of every stage and always study the interaction
what the packaging and the food have from a chemical point of view, since under certain
under certain circumstances this material may transfer substances to the food, this phenomenon
known as migration.

Of the different interactions that take place in the packaging/food system, migration
achieves a particular importance, which directly affects the quality and safety of the
food products, and involves the behavior of packaging in processes of
food preparation and storage.

Migration describes a diffusion process that may be strongly influenced by

the interaction of food components with the packaging material. The
the characterization of the migration phenomenon is distinguished on one hand from migration
global, referring to the sum of all the components of the packaging that are transferred to
food, and on the other hand the specific migration, which represents the amount of a substance.

In an extremely competitive business environment, we understand the need for you to

products stand out from others and attract the attention of the consumer, this leads to
We add the current social evolution, which promotes creativity and the use of technology.
they merge for the creation of sustainable, environmentally friendly packaging.

But have we asked ourselves if the packaging meets those same requirements? How
How do we know if the packaging material is not contaminating our food?
Worldwide, there are already alarming figures on food contamination due to the
packaging or container that covers them, whether due to the presence of bacteria, viruses, parasites or

harmful chemical substances that contribute to the emergence of more than 200 diseases,
ranging from cancer to diarrhea, with 4 billion cases of the latter each year,
according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO)

An increasingly versatile sector provides a wide range of materials for packaging and
packaging, among these we have wood, metal, cardboard, plastic, paper, or glass. Each one of
these provide appropriate conditions for specific products, considering the advantages
and disadvantages such as costs, handling, fragility, corrosion, humidity, pests, among others
others. For these products to be safe for contact with food, it is
necessary to validate them with laboratory analysis, taking measures in the face of a risk of
pollution and ensuring compliance with consumer safety and health.

The basic requirements for Good Manufacturing Practices, according to the regulation
European (CE) No. 1935/2004 indicates that products:

They should not contain elements that endanger human health.

They do not imply an unacceptable change in the composition of foods.
Do not deteriorate the organoleptic characteristics.

Plastic is the most widely used material due to its advantages such as durability,
malleability and lightness, is at the same time the material of greatest environmental concern.
Currently, the industry is looking for options to ensure resistant plastics and with
characteristics of compostability, that is, that after their use they can be degraded
easily.

The products that our clients analyze the most are plastic containers, bottles,
sheets, tin cans, interior coatings, twist-off caps, glass, paper, cardboard.
We conduct the most common analyses such as:

Sensory analysis
Essays on global and specific migration according to the type of material
Monomer analysis
Presence of contaminants such as pesticides and heavy metals
Biodegradability and Compostability
If food arrives in a state of decomposition or damaged due to poor handling in
its transfer will depreciate its market price immediately. This generates
losses to food companies expected a harvest, fermentation or
production of a product.

One of the factors that most influence these losses is the packaging. Its
Design not only relates to the shape it will have or the colors to be used.
chords to the brand. It involves the structure, the composition, and the materials with
those that are made.

The logistical possibilities of today allow for the transportation of anything

product produced in our country to the last corner of the world, because
keep in mind that it did not arrive damaged, in bad condition or in
decomposition will increase the value of the product and the experience of
final consumer.

In this way, expanded polystyrene packaging has become popular due to the
various benefits it offers for food preservation.
continuation, learn everything you need to know about polystyrene boxes
expandidooEPS, for its acronym in English, how they work, their characteristics and
advantages of using them.

What is food packaging?

Food packagingit is the process in which it is bottled, packaged and

pack the product for transport to the storesin order to position oneself in the
point of sale. Therefore, it is necessary to choose materials that ensure safe transportation.
correct.
This activity is often confused with picking, which is the process where
they select and pick the products to be sent. In any case, they are a complement
that allow the delivery of food to end users.

In packing, 3 steps are carried out:

1. Packaging: it is when the food is placed in the main container.

in which it will be sold.
2. Packaging: it works to protect a certain amount of products already
individually packaged. For this point, food boxes are used for
resistant materials like polystyrene.
3. Packaging: in this process all the packaged boxes are joined
products to make transportation more efficient.

Materials for food packaging

Food packing must be done with extreme care due to the

characteristics specific to each product, as they require temperatures
specific, a sensitive management and practices to avoid the appearance of
contaminants in food.

As a result,the boxes for food that are used must include

expanded polystyrenewhat is a material known as foam. It is presented in
used as a light foam and is used in industries such as construction,
automotive, medical sector, appliance manufacturing and in packing for
foods.
Features and benefits of using boxes of
unicel or EPS in food

Mainly, it should be mentioned that polystyrene is a durable material,

wellit can cushion impacts that keep in good condition the
foodsmaking expanded polystyrene packing the ideal solution for
preserve the products.

In the case of fruits and vegetables, reducing their mishandling is essential, as they
impacts accelerate the decomposition process shortening the lifespan of the
product and generating waste.

Food packaging that is quick-proof

decomposition.
Likewise,polystyrene boxes maintain resistance to moisture and
the steam, what prevents the appearance of fungi or contaminating agents in the
foods or products from the cold chain. This characteristic is very important
because it ensures the hygiene of the items being transported and preserves them
perfectly.

The acceleration in the decomposition of food products is derived from the

generation of bacteria and their rapid propagation in the presence of moisture,
oxygen and heat. Polystyrene allows to insulate these elements and regulate the
internal temperature of the boxes so that the degradation is delayed
food.
Lightness of Expanded Polystyrene for export.
In addition to having chemical and mechanical resistance behavior, the
polystyrene is extremely lightweight, easy to handle, and durable.
a long time. This is an additional benefit for the transportation of the
foods, since,when using foam boxes (Expanded Polystyrene), I do not
change the allowed weight of the loads.

This lightweight factor is provided by its composition of 98% air and 2% the
material that covers the polystyrene spheres. With it, the products will be
outside the country or that will travel long distances, will lower their price of
transporting should not add extra weight to the product they carry.

An interesting fact about the use of EPS in food transportation is that

The truck and van boxes are made with EPS in the walls of
These container boxes providing them with thermal insulation properties and that are

they preserve the products carried inside better.

Packaging plays a vital role in preserving safety and quality in the

food industry, which is why it is necessary to take care of every stage.
In 2005, the International Standards Organisation, ISO, published the ISO 22000 standard.
Food Safety Management Systems - Requirements for any
organization in the food chain
of Critical Points (HACCP). Manufacturers have used the HACCP system for many
years to evaluate the ingredients and processes, and to prevent or reduce contamination
of the product.

Food manufacturers soon realized the potential of this ISO standard as

a unique umbrella of a food safety management system, based on
Codex Alimentarius (HACCP), and how at all levels of the food chain there is
made it easier to train, implement, and audit food safety management.
The Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) accepted the ISO 22000 standard after
that the PAS 220 standard "Prerequisite Programs for Food Manufacturing" was
developed to complement ISO 22000, reducing the gap needed for the
recognition by the GFSI. The two standards together became the benchmark
Certification of Food Safety Management Systems (FSSC) 22000.
Aware of the need to expand the recognition of the ISO 22000 standard for the
food packaging, a group of leading global companies in packaging manufacturing
and foods (from the packaging world: Alpha, Amcor, Owens-Illinois, Rexam, and TetraPak, and
from the food manufacturing world: Coca-Cola, Danone, Nestlé, Kraft Foods and
Unilever), developed the Publicly Available Specification (PAS for its initials in
Prerequisite programs and design requirements for safety
food-related in the production and supply of Food Packaging. PAS 223 is
applicable to all organizations, regardless of their size and complexity, that
they manufacture containers for food.

Specify the requirements for establishing, implementing and maintaining programs of

prerequisites (PRP) and design requirements to help control the risks of
food safety in the manufacturing of food packaging. With the extension of
FSSC 22000 certification scheme to include food packaging with PAS 223,
and the review of the GFSI guidelines to include food safety requirements for the
Food packaging, PAS 223 adds one more link in the end-to-end approach.
from the supply chain of the ISO 22000 standard for safety management
food

Food manufacturers appreciate the common approach of ISO 22000 standards and PAS
223. With these two regulations, packaging manufacturers and food manufacturers
they can work together under the same food safety management system to
increase consumer confidence and reduce safety issues
food-related packaging.

Packaging and food safety

Packaging plays a vital role in preserving safety and quality.
foods throughout the food chain, ensuring:
Increase in lifespan
That the food has not been adulterated
The presence of information related to Safety, Preparation, and Nutritional Value
The presence of information related to the date and location of the manufacturer

Just like with all the steps in the supply chain, the manufacturing of packaging
food has the potential to introduce hazards (chemical, microbiological, and physical) and
contaminate food with potential effects on the consumer's health. There is
legislation in many countries to prevent the migration of harmful chemicals from the
materials in contact with food that pose a danger to human health and the
regulations require that materials in contact with food are made from
compliance with good manufacturing practices.

This means that materials in contact with food must be traceable in all
the stages of manufacturing, transformation, and distribution, and comply with the measures
specific (for example, migration limits and compliance documents). A system
food safety management system, evaluated by a third party, is
generally accepted as the essential system for managing requirements
regulations on food safety.

Increased pressure to use recycled materials

The increasing pressure for the use of recycled materials in packaging manufacturing
foods present their own risks to food security. Scientists from
the Swiss government recently reported on quantities of mineral oils between
10 and 100 times above the agreed limit in foods such as pasta, rice, and cereals
sold in boxes made from recycled cardboard. As a result, companies of
cereals (Jordans, Kellogg's, and Weetabix) have taken measures to reduce the amount of
mineral oil in its packaging.

New materials based on starch, sugars, and plant fibers will be more available.
in the future, due to energy savings and the low carbon footprint involved in its
manufacturing. The intended use of these materials and their development and manufacturing must be
fully evaluated and controlled to limit the risks that could occur to the
foods through these new food packaging materials.
Dangers related to poorly labeled food products
The mislabeling of food products was last year's number one cause for
the Recovery (RECALL) in the United Kingdom and United States. The mixed packaging
sent to food manufacturers and incorrect labeling can be to blame for
all the Recall, which costs millions to the industry and to some manufacturers even more: their
reputation.
In mislabeled food products, unidentified allergens constitute the
main packaging problem. When a person is allergic to an ingredient in a
product consumes foods that contain that allergenic ingredient, the consequences
They can be serious and in some cases fatal.

Special dietary products that are mislabeled (for example, products that
they are free of fat and sugar placed in a product container that indicates that the
It can lead to severe consequences for diabetics or consumers of Kosher.
If temperature-sensitive products are mislabeled and subsequently not
they have the required storage, preparation, or necessary information 'before
use" can potentially lead to the risk of microorganism multiplication
pathogens (for example E. Coli), resulting in food poisoning at the time of
consumption.

Dangers related to pollution

The presence of food allergens in food packaging due to contamination.
intentionality of raw materials or cross-contamination (during storage,
processing or transportation from raw materials to finished product), is
recognized by food manufacturers as potentially serious. The use of the system
HACCP and the application of good manufacturing practices (in the form of PRPs) allows
an effective control of allergen management.

Glass pollution and the production of defective glass containers also

they can pose a serious risk to the food product and will present a new danger for
food security through the production of packaging. A control program
brittle glass and plastic with an appropriate hazard analysis and risk assessment
it is essential to reduce the risk of splinters and fragments that could contaminate the
foods.
Many other potential dangers to food security related to
packaging must be addressed and controlled by an effective safety management system
Food, including: molds, stains / bad odors, evidence of infestation
pests, product leaks / defective containers, chemical contamination, incorrect
modified atmosphere (MAP) and transferable ink.

Cooperation to harmonize food safety systems

All of this highlights that the risks associated with packaging materials and
labeling is as serious as those related to food. Cooperation between the
The manufacturer of packaging and the food manufacturer is essential to ensure that all the
food safety systems are harmonized.
Packaging manufacturers need to know what controls packaging manufacturers apply.
foods, and vice versa. The use of the ISO 22000 standard as a single management system of
food safety makes it easier to train, implement, and audit according to
food safety management system at all levels of the food chain.
This, along with PAS 223 for the food packaging industry, means a system
effective, risk-based, to control and reduce food safety hazards and
demonstrate due diligence.