Ensure Food in Contact with Packaging Material is Safe

Safety of food has become the number one issue for Australian public nowadays. It is affecting the packaging materials as well. The companies are under increasing pressure for developing new packaging options. They need to be alert that loss of their potential customers may be an immeasurable cost in comparison with the expenses of improving the packaging. It is high time that these companies start giving importance to their packaged items.

Foodpackaging allows food to be easily transported. It prevents contamination and extends the shelf life. It even provides the right surface for identifying products and labeling.  If you are in the food manufacturing industry in Australia, it is important for you to know the Food Standards Code of the country. As a food manufacturer, you should definitely follow the Food Standards Code to make sure that the food, which is in contact with packaging isn’t contaminated in any case.

Standard 1.4.1-There is some natural toxicants and contaminants. This code sets out highest level of a few contaminants, which might be there in the food products along with the packaging material.

Standard 1.4.3-It is about the materials and articles, which come in contact with food products. The code deals with the food contact materials but doesn’t specify any packaging material for the food contact or the ways they must be used or produced.

The Australian Standard for Plastic Materials for Food Contact Use-This is a guide to industry on production of the plastic materials for food contact usage. It is a relevant Australian Standard, which is set by Standard Australia.

Standard 3.2.2-This is about the food safety practices and the general requirements. There are a few requirements for the food businesses to ensure that while food packaging, only the packaging material which is fit should be used. The ones that are used must not cause any contamination of food.
 

Although the food companies are trying to maintain these standards it has been found recently that the new packaging technology that is created for improving the food’s shelf life is basically toxic and must be regulated. The nano materials that are used while packaging the food products may leach into food and harm the consumers according to the environmentalists of Australia.