Packaging food containers

Polystyrene (PS). Common appHcations include packaging, food containers, and disposable tableware toys furniture, appHances, television cabinets, and sports goods and audio and video cassettes. For some of these appHcations, PS is modified by blending or graft polymerization with SBR to form impact polystyrene, which is less sensitive to breakage. Expandable polystyrene is widely used in constmction for thermal insulation. 

Styrene (vinyl benzene) QH5CH=CH2 Polymers (CgHaln for audio and video cassettes, carpet backing, domestic appliances, packaging, food containers, furniture, toys, vehicle parts... 

Packaged food containers are sometimes coated with PFCs (perfluorochemicals, the same stuff that s in Teflon) to prevent leaking. If you buy these, take the food out of the box and place it in glass or ceramic jars. Microwave popcorn often comes in PFC-coated bags. Stick to good old-fashioned do-it-yourself popcorn instead. 

Butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymer adhesive, food-packaging food containers D-Mannitol adhesive, furniture Urea-formaldehyde resin adhesive, glass Epoxy resin Polyvinyl acetate adhesive, glass fibers Styrene/PVP copolymer adhesive, grinding disks Animal glue adhesive, hair care Polyquaternlum-14 adhesive, heat-resistance Silicone elastomer... 

The brief overview format used in this chapter focuses on several aspects available information on exposure through the chemical s use in food contact materials (food packaging, food containers, and utensils) and household products, a summary of known toxicological endpoints, regulations on use in food contact materials and household products, and further research needs. 

Eoamed polystyrene sheet has exceUent strength, thermal resistance, formabUity, and shock resistance, as weU as low density. It is widely known for its use in beverage cups, food containers, building insulation panels, and shock absorbent packaging. Polystyrene products can be recycled if suitable coUection methods are estabUshed. Eoamed polystyrene sheet can also be easily therm oformed (see Styrene plastics). 

Blow-molded products represent the biggest use of HDPE resins, at around 40%. Packaging appHcations account for by far the greatest share of this market. These include such products as botties (especially for milk, juice, and soap), housewares, toys, pails, dmms, and tanks. Expected aimual average growth rates for these appHcations are about 5—6%. Injection-molding products are the second largest appHcation, with approximately 20% of the HDPE market. These products include housewares, toys, food containers, pails, crates, and cases. 

Specifications and Standards Test Methods. Ethylcellulose is cleared foi many apphcations in food and food contact under the Eedeial Eood, Dmg, and Cosmetic Act, as amended. Examples include binder in dry vitamin preparations for animal feed, coatings and inks for paper and paperboard products used in food packaging, and closures with sealing gaskets for food containers (44). Methods of analyses ate given in ASTM D914-72 (19), NationalFonmila XIV, and Food Chemicals Codex II. 

Packaging (food, medical devices, egg cartons, dairy containers, meat and produce trays, electronic devices, tools, dinnerware, picnic dishes, drinking cups, lids, etc.)... 

Food packaging has similarly undergone radical changes. As the place of production grows farther from the urban centers where most of the food is consumed, the demands on food containers are greatly increased. Society used to be content to deal with natural food packaging, but now food must be shipped over long distances and stored for undetermined time periods and under often uncertain conditions. 

At first, the program which investigated the packaging of irradiation-- processed foods, concentrated on the most advanced type of container, the tinplate can. It had performed successfully for a century as a container for thermoprocessed foods. However, as a container for the irradiation-processed foods, its physical, chemical, and protective characteristics had to be evaluated, including the effects of radiation on enamels and end-sealing compounds. This container was satisfactory for packaging foods that were irradiation sterilized while unfrozen (1, 2). 

Plastics packaging and contained food products are chemically related in four distinct ways. This relationship is based largely on the permeation property of the plastic material. Direct chemical reaction between plastic and product is seldom a problem when inert plastics such as polyethylene are used. However, polyethylene can transmit minute amounts of product to the outside. This paper examines the effect of permeation through the plastic wall and the direct effects of the plastic on the food product. Specific food packaging applications and methods of testing are discussed. 

These objective, quantitative tests have shown that nitrile containers should protect the taste and odor of packaged foods and beverages. But the primary consideration in judging overall package performance, once safety is assured, rests on the subjective evaluations of taste, odor, and appearance. It is well known that the animal senses, in many instances, are far more sensitive than the best instruments and also are capable of integrating the individual effects of the several influences on product quality. 

Many polymers are used in barrier applications, either to keep contents in or contaminants out. Food packaging is an excellent example of such usage. Plastic films and containers of many types are used to package food. Blow moldedbottles often contain numerous layers, each of which provides specific benefits. Polyethylene layers are excellent water barriers, polyvinyl alcohol is a good oxygen barrier, and polyethylene terephthalate impedes the diffusion of carbon dioxide from carbonated drinks. Other barrier applications include toothpaste tubes, diaper backsheets, tarpaulins, and geomembranes, which are used to line containment ponds and landfill pits. 

Americans have an ever-increasing number of energy-dense foods, packaged in enormous portions, conveniently available at low cost. Energy-dense foods contain large... 

Some products and packages are more susceptible to insect infestation than others. These products can serve as insect reservoirs, leading to the infestation of other products (Highland, 1984). For example, dry pet foods packed in multiwall paper bags are generally not very insect resistant because they lack adequate seals and closures, whereas bird seed packages often contain ventilation holes that can allow insect entry. 

The composition of industrial wastes varies depending on the industrial structure of a country or region. It consists of general rubbish, packaging, food wastes, acids, alkalis, oils, solvents, resins, paints, mine spoils and sludges. A proportion of the industrial waste is classified as hazardous waste because it contains materials that are presently or potentially hazardous to humans and other living organisms. 

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