It is hard to imagine that even twenty-five years ago in grocery stores or small grocery stores, supermarkets were not observed, they didn’t even hear about packaging food wrap . Imagine, packaging for bulk food products is a paper bag that the grocery department seller cleverly twists with you. Cottage cheese in the dairy - in a similar bag. Kefir and fermented baked milk only in glass bottles, milk and sour cream, too, or even to spill into your jar or can. There were points for receiving glass containers. The plot from a science fiction film or, enthusiastically, science fiction! In pursuit of the convenience of the bustling life of megacities, we began to forget the taste of natural products, not as attractive and attractive as in bright advertising packages, but tasty, and most importantly, useful. Therefore, we will try to understand the whole variety of food packaging materials and their compliance with hygiene and sanitation standards, as in the modern world one can’t do without them.
Basic packaging requirements
Today everything is packed everywhere. But no matter how distracted or attracted by your beauty, you should not forget that food packaging should protect them from bacteria, germs and other harmful effects in the first place, and the environment should be protected from pollution, preserve the amount of the product. When buying, especially perishable products, you need to carefully check the integrity of the package, its quality, production and packaging. Synthetic Plastic Food Packaging must have a sanitary certificate of compliance with all hygiene requirements in its production. Only it confirms the physiological and biological safety of this material for human health. Different products have different standards and requirements for storage and transportation, but they are very stringent. Trading enterprises and manufacturers are required to strictly abide by them.
Food Packaging Classification
There are several ways to classify a package. The most common - according to the material from which it is made. The most ancient in this classification are wooden, glass and textile packaging. These are barrels, boxes, cans, bottles, bags and more. Around the seventeenth century, packaging paper was invented in Germany. From the mid-nineteenth century it became parchment. Then cardboard and paper boxes appeared in confectioneries. They became the first carriers of advertising. Tins in the conservation of a wide variety of products began to be used at the end of the eighteenth century, this began the use of metal as packaging. The twentieth century ushered in the era of modern packaging when polymer packaging for food appeared. Classification of the material into rigid, semi-rigid and soft depends on the properties of the material.
Regardless of what the packaging is made of, it is industrial when the products are packaged by the manufacturer, or commercial, which is carried out at trade enterprises. By the cyclical use is disposable and reusable containers. By the amount of product in the package - piece, multiple and portioned. And according to its purpose it is classified as trial, for a new product, ordinary and festive; high capacity or small portions. In addition to standard packaging, they develop an original or individual, for a specific product or a specific consumer.
Characteristic of natural-based packaging
Safety glass comes first.
It serves as the packaging of any liquid products and is made in the form of bottles, cans, cylinders of different capacities. Glass is a chemically resistant material that does not harm food, does not impair its taste, and allows you to consider the contents. It reliably protects against bacteria, any contamination, moisture. Easily hygienic. Therefore, baby food in the form of mashed potatoes and juices are Packed mainly in glass jars. When packing dry mixtures intended for infants, cardboard boxes are mostly used, as well as safe packaging material.
The only drawback of glass is fragility, cardboard - the possibility of deformation and low resistance to moisture during improper transportation or storage. From a
natural polymer - cellulose obtained from cotton, environmentally friendly and harmless packaging materials are produced - translucent parchment, crispy parchment, additionally treated with glycerin
parchment paper, cellophane. They independently, and often combining with other materials, are used in the packaging of fat-containing products, spices, tea and other groceries.
Metal packing
High mechanical strength, safety for products is distinguished by metal containers made of tinplate, galvanized roofing steel, and aluminum alloys. To protect it against corrosion, the inside of it is coated with harmless food enamels that do not alter the palatability of preserved foods. Aluminum foil has been widely used, especially in combination with paper coating. It is not permeable to microorganisms, oxygen, sunlight, odors.
Laminated foil is ideal in the packaging of dairy products.
Synthetic polymers and food
The food packaging market began to develop very rapidly thanks to the use of various synthetic materials. The plastic packaging for food products on a synthetic basis is very diverse, lightweight, does not rot. These are primarily polyolefins. Polyethylene, PE, of different densities are widely used in the storage of currently popular frozen products with the possibility of subsequent heating due to its high frost resistance, gas permeability, inertness to water and aggressive environments.
Polypropylene is not so cold-resistant. Advantages of PP are resistance to prolonged exposure to high temperatures, therefore it is used in the manufacture of packaging for sterilized products.
Polyethylene terephthalate is mechanically resistant at different temperatures. PET is used in the manufacture of films, plastic bottles and vacuum packaging. This product is considered safe if it is labeled accordingly. For example, clear PET symbols on the bottom of a PET bottle indicate its resistance to any liquids. And PVC is a sign of resistance only to water, after opening and contact with oxygen, they become unsuitable and even dangerous to health. Trays for the packaging of cheeses, dairy, meat products, confectionery boxes and other containers are made from polymers and copolymers of styrene. Polycarbonate products are durable and retain their properties for a long time. PC packaging can be used repeatedly.
The material polyamide is durable, transparent, water-, grease-, heat- and frost-resistant, does not emit harmful substances in food. PA is quite expensive, so it is usually used in combination with other polymers. The properties of polyurethane are close to PA, but it is very toxic. Labeling of PU on food packaging is not allowed. Appreciate health, use any synthetic containers only for their intended purpose.