food packaging

functions, requirements, and features

- nontoxic and compatibility

- protection - sanitary, moisture/fat, odor/gas, light

- resistance

- transparency - product inside

- tamper resistant/evident - concave

- ease of use and disposal

- appearance

- cost

types

- primary v. secondary

- rigid v. flexible

- pre-formed or in-line forming

- hermetic closure

primary v. secondary

- direct contact with the food (primary)

rigid v. flexible

- tin can, glass bottle

hermetic closure

- impermeable to gases/vapor

packing material: glass

- derived from metal oxides such as silicon dioxide (sand)

packaging material: paper

- derived from the pulp of wood and may contain additives such as plastic coatings, resins or waxes

- laminates - polyester (resistance/printability) & aluminum foil (barrier of properties) & polystyrene/polyethylene (heat sealability)

packaging materials: plastic and films

- polymer such as regenerated cellulose (cellophane), polyvinylidene chloride (saran), polystyrene (styrofoam cups)