Food packaging is used to extend the shelf life of all kinds of products. Fresh produce can be kept for longer with the right packaging solutions, which includes eco-friendly materials and barriers to protect the integrity of the product.
What about products that have extended expiry dates? Such as tea packaging, pasta packaging and cereals packaging. These dry food products could be kept in warehousing for months or even years, as well as occupying the supermarket shelves for much longer than products in the neighbouring fresh produce aisles.
Extended Shelf Life Food Packaging – What It Needs To Do..
An extended shelf life brings the risk of migration of organic pollutants. Aroma and flavour can be affected if particles either migrate out of the product (potentially resulting in a compromised product) or if chemical particles or pollutants are transferred into the product.
Many dry food products are stored in close proximity to strong flavoured or aromatic products such as herbs and spices or even cleaning products. So there is a risk that your penne might begin to taste of curry powder or tea bags start to smell of the finest Arabica beans!
Joking aside this is a serious concern, especially if chemical pollutants are in the environment. Whether its pollutants in the warehouse setting, such as exhaust emissions, or from the cleaning aisle in the supermarket, this risk must be minimised at all costs.
For this reason plastic films and bagsn have been an important part of preserving the integrity of dry food and preventing harmful pollutants from contaminating the. Whether by wrapping cardboard packaging in a protective film or selling loose dry goods like rice and pasta in heat-sealable plastic packaging bags; this has been the most effective solution for increasing the shelf life of products.
But what if you and your customers want to reduce plastic packaging? Can these types of plastic food packaging be replaced with eco friendly packaging that prevents pollution and migration?
Is Plastic-Free Extended Shelf Life Food Packaging Available?
The answer is YES! Alternatives do exist that can reduce our reliance on plastic packaging and are recyclable, compostable and biodegradable.
Let me introduce you to our migration barrier packaging. This material has absorbing properties and is used widely in the cosmetics and medicine industry. For example, the compound is often found in teeth whitening products and in some countries is used to treat poisonings.
The migration barrier ingredients has also been found to prolong shelf life and maintain the quality and safety of dry food products like tea, coffee, rice, pasta and cereals. It is non-toxic, naturally biodegradable, and has remarkable absorption qualities. In food packaging it can be used to stop the organic pollutants entering the food inside.
Using this migration barrier removes the need to wrap the outer box in plastic, instead the cardboard acts as both the packaging and the protective layer. This keeps the aroma and taste of the food as it should be and keeps the pollutants such as mineral oils and other organic compounds out.
Migration barrier cartonboard does more than just reduce plastic packaging, it preserves the integrity of the food just as effectively as plastic does. It locks in flavour and aroma more effectively than other material, extending the shelf life further. This is a real benefit for packaging premium ranges, as it delivers a far superior product to the customer.
Migration Barrier And New Food Packaging Legislation
We are already supplying several clients with migration barrier cartonboard. It has been found to be a highly effective barrier that offers advantages over inserting carbon pads or sachets as the board fully encases the products and protects even in the board creases.
This solution has been developed to address new German legislation which will require all food packaging made from recycled materials to have an adequate protection barrier.
With this additive, products that are wrapped in plastic or films such as tea bags will no longer need this layer of protection. The properties of the cartonboard, such as its print-ability and fold-ability, are not affected and additional barriers can still be added. If a moisture barrier is required, this can be added without affecting the additive’s absorption qualities.
Eco-friendly Packaging For Extended Shelf Life Products
We’re really excited to be able to offer this innovative packaging solution. Migration barrier cartonboard is recyclable, compostable and biodegradable, and can even help clean the environment.
The carbon ingredients used in the barrier are non-toxic and are used in a variety of products, the most common being Britta water filters. As with these water filters they catch the impurities and chemicals, the same would happen if the migration barrier board were to enter the waterways. The specialist ingredients would actually clean the water around it.
While composting is an excellent end of life solution for this packaging, it can also be recycled and reused again and again. Its a very sustainable alternative to food packaging that uses plastic barrier methods.
The price is higher than standard cartonboard which is to be expected, however downstream there can be savings. The migration barrier board can remove the need for additional materials such as plastic and creates opportunities to follow demand for sustainable packaging.
Get Food Packaging Advice From Chapelton
If you haven’t explored migration barrier material and would like to know more, please get in touch. Tell us what your end use is and we will send you samples to fit your end use.
