Page 41 - Baking Europe Journal - Winter 2022

PACKAGING
FOOD SAFETY 41

are due to the rigid chemical structure “sustainable” packaging? Let’s proper disposal. Meanwhile,
of the material which makes it highly consider the three common strategies biodegradable plastic is intended to
resistant to degradation. mentioned earlier that many be consumed by microbes that
companies are now following – convert the material into carbon
Paper, board, and plastics are switching to biodegradable and/or dioxide, methane, biomass and
non-inert materials. Their material biobased plastics, increasing recycled mineral salts after disposal. Such
structures make it easier for any content and lightweighting. material can be biobased,
smaller, unbound chemicals present, biodegradable or both.
such as plasticisers, colourants, inks Biodegradable / biobased plastics
and adhesives, to migrate from within Biobased plastic is made with Unfortunately, the specifi c conditions
the material or from the material’s renewable source material such as necessary for full biodegradation of
exterior into the food. Printing ink, for corn or sugar cane. However, the packaging to take place are not
example, has been shown to migrate plastic ultimately created is largely always shared by product
through paper and board packaging the same material as conventional manufacturers and sometimes the
into dry foods. hydrocarbon based plastic, and thus necessary conditions are not present
gives rise to the same concerns in nature or even in industrial
What does this mean when selecting around chemical migration and composting facilities. This means

“Much of the discussion around sustainable
materials focuses on the packaging of the fi nal

product, but chemicals can transfer into foodstuff

from both the packaging and the processing

equipment.”

BAKINGEUROPE Winter 2022/2023
www.bakingeurope.com