Future trends in food packaging

Scientists review innovations in food packaging focusing on smart, active, sustainable packaging, list active packaging products available on the market; survey finds 11 companies currently marketing smart packaging products

Turkey adopts new food contact legislation

Turkey publishes regulations on food contact materials in general and on active and intelligent materials for food contact in particular, aligns rules with EU regulations

EFSA assesses chemical mixture for use in active packaging

EFSA’s CEF Panel considers mixture of carboxymethylcellulose, acetylated distarch phosphate, bentonite, boric acid, and aluminum sulfate safe for use as liquid absorber under intended conditions of use

Discussing FCM regulation in the EU

Speakers at 2017 Smithers Pira “Plastics & Paper” conference summarize recent developments in EU FCM regulation landscape, discuss EU Commission’s proposal for printed FCMs

New antimicrobial plastic films

Researchers develop plastic films with antibiofilm activity by incorporating N-halamines into the polymer matrix; potential applications in food production and processing

Conference: Packaging of the future

Zurich University of Applied Sciences holds annual food conference on November 23, 2017 in Wädenswil, Switzerland; future trends and challenges in food packaging to be discussed; registration open until November 8, 2017

Turkey to adopt new food contact regulations

Turkey notifies World Trade Organization of two new regulations regarding authorization of food contact substances and active and intelligent materials; possible adoption July 30, 2017; deadline for comments July 29-30, 2017

Sweet potato and thyme used for bio-packaging film

U.S. scientists develop nanocomposite film from sweet potato starch, thyme essential oil, and nanoclay; potential applications include packaging of fresh fruits and vegetables

Nano applications in food

EFSA-commissioned study finds nanotechnology most often used for food additives, food contact materials; nanoencapsulates, silver, titanium dioxide, silica common; increasing use of organic nanomaterials

EFSA assesses safety of 3 FCM substances

EFSA’s CEF Panel considers poly((R)-3-hydroxybutyrate-co-(R)-3-hydroxyhexanoate), polyacrylic acid, sodium salt, cross-linked, and potassium metabisulfite safe for use in food contact materials under certain conditions