Saturday, February 1, 2014

Important Facts Concerning Plastic Food Packaging

By Serena Price


For many years and decades, people have always stored and packed their edibles in many different ways and methods. This has not been an easy task since identification and evaluation of the most ideal and suitable way has proven not an easy thing. This is because careful and keen evaluation and scrutiny has had to be done so as to arrive at the most ideal. It was after this that many manufacturers of edible items settled on plastic food packaging. Since then, it has gained a lot of popularity for its numerous and well identified advantages.

Basically in this method of packing, the edible materials and items are put in plastic containers and boxes. These containers are very many and of many different shapes. These include cubes, cuboids, tetra packs, and cones among many others. Apart from these, polythene bags are also a mode of plastic packaging. The diversity of these shapes makes this method of storage very versatile and of great recommendation.

Before packing is done, the type on substance or item being stored must first be identified so as to know and get to ascertain the suitability of a particular method of packaging. In this case, those packing must take into account whether the item is solid or liquid. For the packing of solids, solid containers are mostly preferred since they can sustain the pressure exerted on them due to the fact that solids are considered to be a bit rough and heavy. Other solids can also be put in polythene bags but this is normally a rare scenario since these bags cannot sustain the weight of solids.

The storage of liquids is considered to be very easy and simple. This mainly is because they can either be stored in solid containers or in polythene papers. Liquids are known to be very light and smooth. This characteristic makes them ideal for storage in polythene papers because they cannot induce tear or damage on them.

Just before packaging has been done, there is normally one activity that is normally undertaken. This is so as to ensure and ascertain that high levels of hygiene are observed. In this process, thorough and proper sterilization and disinfection has to be done to ensure that no traces of harmful microorganisms have a place in the containers. After this has been done, there is maximum assurance and guarantee that the edibles stored will last for the required time span without going bad.

The main reason as to why many food processing companies have greatly embraced this method of packing food is due to its numerous advantages. As a matter of fact this is a very cheap method to use and hence companies consider it very economical. In addition, it is a method in which the packed items really lasts for extensive periods of time without going bad. Due to this, it is a method that is used to store food to be used by people who live and work in areas that food is scarce.

Apart from the advantages it has, this is a method that has contributed immensely to environmental pollution. This is due to the careless disposal of the plastic materials which has led to loss of biodiversity. In addition, these materials to not decay hence remain scattered all over the surroundings.

Generally, plastic food packaging is very cheap and economical compared to other methods. However, manufacturers should also take into consideration its effects on the environment.




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