PACKAGING
MAP uses
either a single gas or multiple gases to create a protective atmosphere around the enclosed produce. This protective atmosphere, combined with appropriate packaging and in many cases lowered temperatures, preserves the taste, safety and appearance of food. Modified atmospheres in food packaging
mainly use the three gases that are naturally present in the air we breathe: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen. When looking at the life span of foods, microbial safety is an important consideration, and that is where these gases come in. The difficulty however is that MAP is most commonly used with plastics due to packaging strength requirements and cost constraints. Removing plastics in the short-term, and the absence of viable, mass-market alternatives, therefore risks further adding to the issue of food waste and increasing carbon emissions. Government consultations on how food
manufacturers best use different types of plastic are still ongoing. While this is a step in the right direction, the main challenge remains
UKManufacturing Spring 2023
When it comes to tackling future
the same - the limited availability of recycled plastics that are safe to be in contact with food products. Currently, it is very difficult to recycle plastics that can be re-used as food packaging; for example, soft plastics typically end up in landfill or are recycled into non- food grade material. Alongside this focus on plastic waste, an
important campaign shining a spotlight on food waste is Food Waste Action Week, taking place annually in March. Last year’s campaign was supported by 80 organisations across twelve countries.
environmental challenges, a joint approach that considers both areas is key. Ultimately, an ongoing cycle of changing how manufacturers use plastic is essential to improving the sustainability of the sector. We know that packaging suppliers are working hard to identify and develop alternatives to single- use plastic packaging, and we should all continue to play our part in reducing plastics wherever possible. However, we cannot tackle one problem,
only to worsen another. As packaging evolves, it is critical that plastic alternatives are considered with modified atmospheres and food waste in mind. This is the only way that we can ensure that both plastic and food waste is minimised and that consumers have access to affordable, high-quality goods.
Air Products
www.airproducts.co.uk
23
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48
