Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8.2 PACKAGE-FOOD INTERACTIONS
Ideally, the package should be an inert container that has no interactions
at all with food. But with plastic packaging, a range of such interactions are
possible (Piringer and Ruèter, 2000), and the main ones are summarized in
Figure 8.3
. All these invariably affect the sensory quality and potentially the
safety of food:
a. Permeation: The transfer of gases or vapors, especially oxygen and
moisture, across the package (Hotchkiss, 1997).
b. Migration of additives and printing ink constituents in the plastic
packaging into the food or beverage can result in off-flavors and
potential toxicity.
c. Packages can potentially sorb pollutants in the environment via
partition. These, once in the plastic matrix, can migrate or interact with
the contents.
d. Scalping of constituents in food by the plastic package can result in
altered flavor and aroma of food (Hernandez-Muñoz et al., 2001).
