Food Packaging And Labeling Flashcards
1
Q
Function of food packaging
A
- protect food from being danger or contaminated, ensures consumers buy products in best condition
- transport and storage easier, can be stacked
- advertises food product, more appealing, increase sales and profit
- provide consumer information eg instructions
- packaging eg vacuum packaging preserve food increase shelf life
2
Q
Characteristics good packaging
A
- hygienic and safe
- increase shelf life
- easy to open and seal eg ring on steel cans
- sustainable eg biodegradable
3
Q
Materials used to package food
A
- glass
- metal
- paper
- plastic
4
Q
Glass
A
Examples of use
- jars eg jams
- bottle eg fizzy drinks
Advantages
- protects contamination
- available coloured or transparent, content can be examined
- withstand heat without cracking
- easy moulded into variety different sizes or shapes
Disadvantages
- heavy lift and increase transport cost
- easily broken or damage
- expensive produce
Environmental impact
- recyclable
- reusable
- consumer should avoid carelesss disposal
- non biodegradable cannot be broken down by microorganisms
5
Q
Metals
A
Examples of use
- steel cans eg cans of beans
- aerosols eg whipped cream
Advantage
- protect food contamination
- easy stack
- withstand heat processing
Disadvantage
- heavy to lift and increase transport cost
- easily punctured/ dented
- expensive to produce
Environmental impact
- recyclable but must be cleaned
- reusable eg steel can pencil holder
- environmental pollution
- non biodegradable cannot broken down by micro organisms
6
Q
Paper
A
Examples of use
- paper eg flour bag
- cardboard eg cereal box
- waxed paper eg take away burger
- waxed cartons eg milk carton
Advantage
- protect from contamination
- cheap produce
- lightweight no increase transport cost
- can be printed on
Disadvantage
- does not reaseal well
- easily damaged eg rip or tear
- not very durable when wet
Environmental impact
- recyclable
- contribute to deforestation
- reusable eg cereal carton for magazine storage
- biodegradable made from plant fibres
7
Q
Plastic
A
Examples of use
- polystyrene eg burger box
Advantage
- moisture proof
- cheap to produce
- lightweight, doesn’t increase transport costs
- can be durable and strong depending on type
- can be printed on, no additional labelling
Disadvantage
- some easily damaged (tear)
- may contaminate food
Environmental impact
- recyclable only certain types can be
- reusable eg using old plastic bottles as plant pots
- non biodegradable
- made from crude oil which is limited and non renewable resource
8
Q
Government initiative to reduce impact of packaging
A
- Levy on plastic shopping bags = reduce disposal of plastic bags
- Landfill levy increase = increase of €10 encourage Irish people to recycle and move away from using landfills
9
Q
Ways consumer can reduce environmental impact of packaging
A
- travel mug when visiting coffee shop
- buy fresh lose fruit and veg instead of packaged
- bring reusable shopping bag when shopping
- buy items in recyclable packaging
10
Q
Labelling requirement
A
- name food
- list ingredients in descending order of weight - exactly what ingredients in food
- declaration of allergies - reduce risk suffering allergic reaction
- quantity if certain ingredients - helps consumer compare composition of main ingredients in similar food products
- date of minimum durability - indicates when food should be used by
- storage instructions - reduce rate food spoilage
- instruction for use - purchase food products that suit there cooking appliances and equipment
