FOOD PACKAGING TESTING

Foodstuffs are perishable items which do not last more than a few days on their own. Packaging allows for safe medium to long term storage which enables transportation of food from its production to final delivery to the customer. In recent years, technological advancements have helped improve the quality and types of packaging available in the market.

The most widely used materials in the food packaging industry are plastics, glass, metals and wood and its derivatives. 

• Plastics like Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyethylene and its varieties (PET, HDPE, LDPE) are resistant to humidity, fats and gases, and ideal for medicine and liquid food storage. 

• Metals (steel, tin, aluminum) are used to store dried and solid food items vegetables, fish, meat, powder etc. 

• Wood, cardboard and papers are used to make cartons to store dairy, eggs, fruits, etc. 

• Glass is suitable for hot filling, thermal processing and chilled storage.

Apart from increasing the shelf life, the appearance of packaging is important from a business perspective because it identifies the product in the distribution chain and differentiates it when it reaches the consumer. Packaging comes printed with the date and place of manufacturing, expiry date, ingredients and warnings for allergy, which enables consumers to make informed choices while buying food. 

The packaging is in immediate contact with the food and thus plays a vital role in preserving it throughout the distribution chain. Without packaging, food processing is not possible as it can get contaminated by direct contact with physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. In India, food packaging is subject to Food Safety and Standards Regulations established by the FSSAI.