Additives In Food Packaging.pdf

Additives

in food packaging

In the United States, food packaging materials, including additives in the polymers, are regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

(FDA). Jennifer Markarian reports

for Plastics Additives & Compounding on a change in the FDA approval system and summarizes

trends in food packaging

additives such as slips, antistats, antioxidants, colorants, antifogs, antimicrobials and oxygen scavengers in the USA.

in FDA

Changes

followed by 10 days at 40°C a special cell designed

regulutions FDA requirements

vary with the end-

use of the packaging

material,

such as

type of food that will be contacted usage temperature. contact

To gain direct food

approval,

extractability

and

materials

must meet

requirements.

Although

regulations are vague in some areas, “the general principle

is that no matter what

is in the packaging, ate

the

food,”

Bussey,

it must not adulter-

explains

Regulatory

Manager

at

Laboratory

in Dublin,

A

The

significant

procedure

January

2000

Contact

Robert Project

National

Food

California.

change

approval

Dr.

Services

in

the

FDA

was instituted

with

the

Notification

new

(FCN)

system. To

get approval for a new food-contact stance

(FCS),

information intended

the

producer

including use including

usage temperature

in

Food sub-

submits

composition; additive

level,

and type of food the

substance

will

contact;

migration

of the substance

and

data

on

Migration

studies can use food-simulat-

into food.

ing solvents, such as 10% ethanol to represent aqueous, foods,

acidic and low-alcohol

or a food

oil or

50

or 95%

ethanol to represent fatty foods, explains Dr. Bussey.

Experimental

temperature

and duration are set at the most extreme anticipated the

most

conditions. extreme

“For example,

condition

requires

heating at 121°C (250°F) for two hours,

Plastics Additives

& Compounding

April 2002

extremes

of temperature

(104”F),

to withstand

in the

and pressure,”

notes Dr. Bussey. The FDA uses migration data to estimate consumer to the substance. an application

exposure

In the previous system, could take years to gain

approval.

With

the FCN

system,

the

FDA has 120 days to review the application and object based on safety grounds, or

the

substance

Expectations

may

be

marketed.

were that the new system

would result in many more applications for new products

from companies

that

Food otherwise ing

would

in food

early

not have tried

applications,

to tell how

much

system

has

Hentges

at American

had,

Companies Chemicals

that

timetable

it is too the new Steve

Plastics as

the

makes

FCN

attractive

Council.

GE

Specialty

clearly

system

Specialty

Chemicals.

Although

Mady

companies

driving

a trend

prolong

shelf life, general

on package

The

companies

approved

for

a few

food with

in

does give advice

gamma

prepackaged approved

the

irradiation are

irradiation

of

and

additive 196Os,

these

notes

of the National

Center (NCFST)

Illlinois

Institute

industry

task

tive packages op a protocol cation

with

clearance

Naeem

that

new

that

irradiation

food an

is working

of contemporary

and

will be working

and sponsors

force

approval

based

of polymer

representatives

towards

for Food

converters

irradiation

George

of Technology.

consortium

manufacturers,

preva-

Dr.

and Technology NCFST’s

were

packages

Safety at the

to

polymers

Sadler

The

to

FDA guidance

specific

Only

been

irradiation

has not yet been

FDA

about

questions.

of Ciba

have

towards

irradiation

published.

the use of

to the notifying

Naeem

food

easier.

economically since

is limited adds

much

“is

to companies

the clearance

articulated

the process

company,”

lent

but impact

that are using the new system

report The

market-

comments

such

addi-

polymers.

the FDA

will allow

of additives

process,

Ciba

to develthe notifi-

concern

has spread

Some companies ed

in

U.S.

vegetable-based

as well.

Ciba’s

additives

films.

for

Slips and antistats additives,

tion at the surface

trend

continues

toward

or vegetable-oil

animal-fat industry

derived experts.

based

are

migration

occurs

rather

depends

on part

thickness

than agree

this trend

crystallinity,

of bovine

spongioform

Technical

(BSE).

Since

Ampacet

customers

globally,

many the

and

Senior

and

at

Dr. Vice

Ampacet

introduced

surface-functional

func-

part,

are

additives control

over time

explains

Mimeault,

is due to concern have

predict

because

encephalopathy companies

to

The

use of syn-

additives, In Europe,

of the plastic

migratory.

difficult

which

and

polymer Victor President

Corporation. non-migratory,

slip

and

antistat

in

advantages

of the

Other it can

be used

tures

than

conventional effect

migratory adhesives,

has and

Its antistatic those

no

effect

has high

12%

find

and

nonwith

on sealing

last longer

resistivity

relative

or

stability.

migrating

rhan antis-

is similar

humidity.

additives

higher

additives

The

thermal

properties

and

much

They

slips and has no

does not interact

tats and its surface 50%

slip are tempera-

sealing.

of conventional

non-migratory

premium

at higher

on

antistat

printing

for controllable,

performance

that

adverse

Mady.

traditionally

that fit a need

predictable

applications.

antistat

products

to be interest-

used in the

reports

Synthetic/vegetable derived additives thetic

to the

continue

kosher-certified

Slip and

The

packaging:

are

The

used

levels

than

traditional

so are

more

expensive.

use in coextruded

Plastics Additives & Compounding

at at

structures,

April 2002

post

thermo-oxidative

150°C

stability

after I4 days hot boiling

extraction.

The

antioxidant

does not discolour,

pinking with

reportedly

as typical phenolics

do in either a quinone ization reaction

methide

dimer-

in the dark that causes

or in a gas-staining

prompt

at water

oxides

reaction

of nitrogen

that

causes yellowing. Ciba

has

received

from

companies

antioxidants

positive

using

its Vitamin

for improved

properties

for

such as plastic

feedback

sensitive

applications

milk and beverage

tles. Ciba@ Irganox@

E

organoleptic bot-

E 201 is a power-

ful stabilizer that is effective at very low concentrations

because

with carbon-centered

it

reacts

radicals,

says the

company.

Colorants A variety of organic

and inorganic

col-

orants are allowed by FDA for indirect food such as a film that has slip on the inside

tion

but

degrade

not

on

the

outside,

says

Dr.

Mimeault. use of longer

chain

Dr. Ashutosh and market

materials,

Sharma,

service

manager

at

Polymer Chemicals.

explains

technical

development

additives

polymer

additives is the

Akzo

Nobel

which

is in

process-

increasing

demand as extruders are pushed to faster rates. A trend for slip additives is to use higher

in erucamide

off-tastes

and odours.

improved

stability

ble

purity slips with reduced

to

degradation

torque-release

short-

Two new, high dants

from

perform such

GE

Specialty

well under

as gamma

641

notes Dr. Sharma. erucamide

for the bottled tries. Plastic contain torque

Plastics Additives

low-

product

amine Clariant

closures

of slip to enable

Irradiation

or steriliza-

& Compounding

April2002

Benjamin

food

Watkins,

leader

is GE’s improved

solid

GenoxrM

derived

EP

from

water

introduced antioxidant

is an

vegetable

extractability

advantage

Hostanox

03,

with

reduced

that

gives

in liquid food products

in those applications

requiring

manager

at Teknor

Company,

a subsidiary

Company.

The

Color

of Teknor

industry

Apex

trend towards

parts creates a need for a higher

colorant

loading

intensity

and opacity.

demand

for higher

‘super concentrates’

to

maintain

has driven

pigment

levels

to maintain

“High-efficiency

trates can contain

color

This

pigment

in

cost-

concenloadings

of

75% or greater, compared

to levels of 20

to 50%

concentrates,”

for conventional

says Mr. Wood. a

it an and

excellent

of FDA exemp-

explains John Wood,

technical

effectiveness.

GE.

oils. phenolic

bottle

conditions of

allowed by FDA,”

thinner

at

and

oxide

water and beer indus-

high amounts release.

slip

a

that has advantages

screw-type

notes

phosphite,

introduced

called IncroslipC@

the

Chemicals

harsh

“Over the

past two to three years, we have seen an tions, especially for dyes, which are not

antioxi-

irradiation

Ultranox@

slips have lower

or taste and odour com-

organoleptic

notes

are based

testing in a specific poly-

increase in the number

standard

performance

business

purity

recently

has

Antioxidants

stabilizer

Croda

than

colorants regulation

mer for a specific application.

company.

packaging,

ponents,

IncroslipC

other

from FDA

on migration

and produce

products,

These

organoleptics,

can

of byprod-

and is less suscepti-

chain (four- to nine- carbon) impurities. higher

or ozone

Longer chain antis-

tats provide higher temperature stability,

for

by UV

the trace amounts

ucts inherent

One trend for antistatic

ing

of bottles

contact;

exempted

Antifogs In fresh-cut

produce packaging,

antifogs

prevent the film from fogging so that the consumer

can see the product

clearly.

Food

packaging

a growing trend in the global food packaging industry. In the U.S., many of the antimicrobials

in use protect

aging or the packaging although

recent

antimicrobials

interest

has been

to protect

food. Anti-microbials by the FDA

under

and

Under

the FFDCA,

that with

such

the packaged

dietary

are regulated

the Federal

Cosmetic

Act

ensures

uses are safe

to any potential

intake.

Unrelated

requirements

under

antimicrobial

products

packaging

Food,

(FFDCA).

the FDA

antimicrobial

respect

that

antimicrobial

the

federal

FFCDA,

used

have

effect

human

to

in food

no

intended

on the processed

food in the package are subject registration Federal

as pesticides

Insecticide,

Rodenticide

in

that are incorpo-

rated into food packaging Drug

the pack-

raw materials,

to EPA

under

Fungicide

Act (FIFRA).

the and

Anti-micro-

bials added to food or delivered to food via the packaging food “The

use

of

packaging continue

antifogs

in

fresh

is on the increase

food

and will

into the future as new applica-

anti-fog

coating.

which

won

a

tions as well as new polymer

entrants

Packaging

into the fresh food packaging

industry

award

in

antifog

coating.

continue

to evolve,”

Antifogs

act

moisture

given off by produce

transparent,

comments

continuous

package

surface

beads

of

film

rather

than

water, president

Group,

packaging

a food

or applied

the

A new

of fresh-cut

to

which

ry requirements, elevated

which

temperatures,

and regulatoare stricter comments

the

“synergistic coat-

can encourage

growth fresh-cut

requirements

of spoilage

says Myra produce

the

bacte-

Hughes, market-

ing manager for Cryovac.

at Mr.

Brandenburg.

Antimicrobials

Cryovac

The use of antimicrobials,

Inc., a subsidiary of Sealed Air

Corporation,

produces

films

with

EPA Notice

ing that reduces moisture,

ucts,

performance

the

company.

effect of the antifog

ria,”

of meeting

2000,

Registration

shelf life is

ability of the package, but

produce packages, such as spinach prodhas led to challenges

the

due in part to the perme-

Antifogs can be

trend towards microwaving

says

extended

also

In

subject

The coat-

JSB

consultancy

coating.

bles, The

FIFRA.

issued a Pesticide

as direct

not

an

Jeff

into the film as an additive as a liquid

has

the shelf life of the vegeta-

on

to

are

Association 2000,

forms a forming

the

are treated and

Flexible

ing also aids in improving

of The

based in Massachusetts.

example,

Vegetable Bag,

so that

explains

Brandenburg,

impregnated

Ciba.

as a surfactant,

For

Cryovac @ Microwaveable

additives

an

or biocides,

in packaging is

Plastics Additives

& Compounding

April 2002

3

freshness

indicators

A major trend in the food industry over the past several years has been the consumer’s desire for freshness

in taste and

appearance and freshness indicators are an upcoming

technology,

predicts Dr. Testin.

Modified

atmosphere

packaging controls

the flow of carbon

dioxide

through

the

food package to extend shelf life, but is dependent

on storage conditions

store or home. Indicators food has begun

in the

to show when a

to decay

are currently

being used in bulk packaging, such as the Vistab 8 adhesive labels from Cox Technologies.

Current

research is focused

on making

indicators

individual

packaging,

cost-effective

for

says Dr. Testin.

Indicator dyes work by either changing as a function

of time and temperature

reacting with a food degradation

or by

product.

For example, an indicator in a sensor or in the packaging

film could

react with an

amine given off by fish at the beginning of decay, explains Dr. Testin.

Oxygen explaining

FIFRA’s

Exemption,

which

Treated applies

Article

to articles

treated

with an antimicrobial

protect

the article itself. It clarified

companies implicit

cannot

make

health benefit

state to customers marketing Clemson

that

explicit

or

the biocide

is

of the article when

products

Treated Article

to

claims and must

that

solely for protection

only

qualifying

Exemption.

University

for the

Research

has looked

at

at coat-

ing food packages with nisin, particularly for hot dog packaging,

explains

Dr.

Kay

professor

of

Cooksey,

packaging

science.

commercially Nisaplin@

associate Nisin

under

the

by Aplin-Barrett

and can be compounded aging polymer a coating.

but not extensively

and

some

have

FDA

applications.

looking

Other

at additives

antimicrobial certain

conditions.

The

advantage

under

new additive comments single-serve

of these sys-

smaller ume

and

exposure

just what comes

in contact

with a pro-

professor

packaging

of

Clemson.

Chlorine

expensive

and effective

range

Testin,

science

dioxide

at

is also less

for a broader

of microorganisms

than

nisin,

oxygen

or a polymer

into the packused in Europe

the

packaging

Technologies nology

polymer.

and received GRAS

from FDA. Current

Silver

release of the product

also

& Compounding

used

in

April ZOO2

Bernard

holds patents on this technotification

research at Clemson

ways

to improve

the

into the package.

Ll?

include

in sachets,

into the packaging layer extruded

as

freshness

gen that enters the package. is a polymer-based

into

says

headspace oxygen and oxy-

Ciba’

but can be compounded

the

Company

part of the package to maintain by absorbing

package,

in the U.K.,

of

oxygen,

iron oxide powders enclosed polymer

are

surface vol-

scavengers

additives incorporated

rently being used in a sachet inside the

The additives are cur-

to

Chemical

adds Dr. Cooksey.

name

because

packages’ increased

Commercial

notes Dr. Robert

scavengers

in the trend towards

packages

Chevron-Phillips

tective coating,

in food packaging,

Oxygen

especially important

or UV light could pro-

trend

Ciba.

tect any product within the package, not

is investigating

Plastics Additives

is the

The use of oxygen absorbers is a relatively

trade

in the U.S., although are

dioxide

tems is that the antimicrobial

for

research produce

humidity

it has FDA approval, notes Dr. Cooksey. compounds

that

chlorine

relative

approval

is produced

or applied as a powder or

It is widely

Europe

scavengers

Shelfpl usTM 0,

incorporated

directly

the package.

oxygen scavenger

additive that can be into the walls of

It can be incorporated

either an existing

layer within

age or as a distinct scavenging CP

Chemical

scavenging

introduced

into

the packlayer.

an

oxygen

polymer system consisting

of

Food an

oxidizable

acrylate

resin,

methyl

methyl

acrylate

(EMCM)

The National Food Laboratory - Dr. Robert Bussey

salt cata-

Tel: + I 304 284 2221

Tel: + 2 925 5514227

scavenging

polymers

Illinois Institute of Technology - Dr.

Teknor Color Company

polypropylene,

polybu-

George Sadler Tel: t 1 708 563 8170

Tel: t I 401 725 8000 (U.S. only: I-800-554-9885)

The JSB Group - Je~Brandenburg

E-mail: info@teknorcolor, corn.

and

oxygen

on nylon,

tadiene

and

oxidation

containing

a cobalt

polyisoprene

into

migrate

into

or odour,

notes

does

degrade

pounds the

packaged

not

photoinitiator to be stored

process,

says the company.

Cryovac

introduced

@ OS

growth

and

flavours,

faster Films

colour

than

and

gen

scavenging

life of refrigerated

than

50%,

notes

in

stats

the

mind!

oxygen removes The

microbial

nutrients,”

process

Fle~ibhy

filling

deterioration

of states

fresh pasta

pack-

won an award from

Association.

shelf

and

inactive

before.

innovation

Packaging

com-

activated

” slow

A Nestle

technical

Flexible

the

reportedly

age using the film recently for

into

an improved

oxidative

the company.

cause

the package

film that

lo-20%

and

and then

during

Cryovac

can

or odour

allows

light

oxygen

that

CP Chemical.

by UV

scavenging

on

food

that cause off-taste

polymer

degrade

by-products

off-taste EMCM

3

Tel: +I 413 772 6558

Watkins

and a masterbatch

lyst. Other

Tel: +I 864 433 2387 GE Specialty Cbemicah - Benjdmin

cyclohexene

a photoinitiator based

ethylene

packaging

increases pasta

the

The oxythe

by more

Nestle.

intqpk

Dueseldorf, 2d Hall 3, Stand 3

Contacts Akzo Nobel Polymer Chemicals Tel: + I 312 906 7666 Ampacet Corporation - Dr. Victor Mimeault Tel: +I914

631 6600

ChevronPhillips Chemical Company Richard Schmidt Tel: t I 713 289 4472 [email protected] C&a Specialty Chemicals - Patricia Patrick Tel: + I 314 785 4348 Clariant Tel: t I 704 331 7000 Clemson University - Dr. Kay Cooksey Tel: + 1864

656 46I3

Croda Universal Inc. - Phil Ruxton Tel: t I 973 867 6720 Cryovac Inc.

RES No.01 1 - USE THE FAST NEW ENQUIRY

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April 2002