Keeping Food Fresh How Packaging Plays A Role


Vertical form fill seal machine

Each day, we buy things like food and medication, and we often overlook the main element they have in common: packaging. Much of what we buy comes in packaging, but perishable an edible items have to packaging especially carefully. The proper packaging ensures that not only are these items preserved but properly, but kept safe from contamination and much more. But there’s much more to packaging than even that — both in terms of what it can do, and how it is made. Often, the packaging that we see when buying food is made by particular food packaging machines — often form fill seal machines. This can result in a variety of different types of packaging. This can include thermoformed trays, vacuum pouches, plastic clamshells, and much more. What is a form fill seal machine? A form fill seal machine is a machine that is loaded with plastic film, with labeling and artwork applied to the exterior or interior of the film. Form fill seal machines come in the form of either single web systems, or dual web systems. These will result in different types of packaging, all suited for a variety of needs.

Making A Difference: What The Right Packaging Can Do

Many different problems can be solved by the right kind of packaging. But many of us don’t even know what those problems are, or how extensive the range of packaging types is. Therefore, it’s important that packaging is properly made — and that we as consumers understand how fortunate we are to have it. Obviously, the main goal of packaging is to keep food well-preserved and clean. This is most effectively done through vacuum-sealed packaging, although it cannot always be applied to every type of food product. But there’s more to packaging than just that. It’s believed that the right kind of packaging can greatly reduce food waste — in part because it prevents food from rotting prematurely or being spoiled in some other way. In total, it’s estimated that each pound of plastic food packaging can reduce food waste by 1.7 pounds. With that being said, there is a concern that plastic packaging contributes to waste and rot itself. Therefore, it needs to be recycled when possible. With about 60% of the American population having access to a recycling program, there’s no reason that you can’t take advantage of it. But the fact is that it’s better to have this packaging than go without it. It can’t, however, act alone — there’s a reason why x-ray food inspection is so commonly implemented in this day and age.

Metal: The Secret Danger To Food

Many are unaware of the risk that metal contamination poses to food. Although these contaminants are dangerous, they can detected through x-ray food inspection. There are three main types of metal contaminants that commonly contaminate food and can be detected through an x-ray. They include ferrous, non-ferrous, and stainless steel contaminants. With a wet or conductive product in which 2.5 to 3.5 mm of food can be detected, x-ray often can detected 1.5 mm or less, therefore improving food safety and brand detection. Fortunately, metals are often detected before the contaminated food goes on the market. Furthermore, good packaging can prevent this contamination from happening in the first place. But of course, there is more to be concerned about regarding food than metal.

Food Spoiling: How To Prevent It, And Protecting Food

As we’ve discussed, much of what goes into keeping food protected involves packaging. In comparison to plastic bags or containers, vacuum-sealed pouches keep food preserved for three to five times longer. But at the end of the day, packaging cannot keep food preserved by itself. It needs support from the right atmosphere. One of the best ways to keep bacteria from growing in food is to keep that food in cold temperatures — refrigerators should be kept at temperatures no higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and freezers at 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

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