Packaging is an integral component of the food industry. It attracts us to certain brands on the shelves of retail outlets and supermarkets. Safety is always a concern with the packaging of edible goods. Aseptic packaging is a means of providing safe and secure food containers for containers. This food packaging sterilization uses diverse methods to destroy the potential risk of microorganism found in packages and transportation methods.
Goals of Food Packaging Sterilization
Food packaging needs to provide the right environment for its contents. Quality food packaging sterilization must fulfill certain goals – some functional, some concerned with food safety and others economic. In order for any packaging sterilization process to be truly successful, it must meet the basic requirements listed below.
* Sterilizes: Destroys any microbial activity
* Compatibility: Must be able to work with specific package surfaces or material
* Ease of removal: The material used in the process must come off easily without leaving residue
* Safety: The method for sterilization cannot pose a health or safety risk to the consumer or to the operator involved in the packaging process
* Product Quality: It must not have a negative effect on the product but, instead, can actually lengthen the freshness, texture and overall appearance of the product (increased shelf life) for around six months
* Cost-Effective: The method must be able to not adversely increase the prices of packaging and, therefore the cost to the manufacturer of the product, the packaging or the consumer
* Reliability and Reproducibility: The method of packaging sterilization must be reliable. It must also be able to reproduce the same results consistently
To achieve these goals, packaging firms can turn to a variety of techniques.
Food Packaging Sterilization
Various aseptic packaging systems currently exist to ensure proper levels of sterilization. Common systems may utilize:
* Dry heat
* Ethylene oxide
* Hydrogen peroxide – often followed by ultraviolet irradiation
* Saturated steam
* Superheated steam
Whatever the method, the results must meet the goals of food packaging sterilization.