Functional Properties Flashcards
The 4 main functions of packaging
Protection
Containment
Convenience
Communication
Packaging can protect food from: (6)
oxygen moisture microbes (bio contaminants) dirt (physical contaminants) toxins (chem contaminants)
What is the purpose of ‘containment? (4)
prevent mixing (organize)
transportation
protect from damage
hold liquid foods
How do packages provide convenience?
easy open/close
portioning
disposable/reusable
microwaveable/heatable
What forms of communication does packaging provide? (5)
nutrition info price ingredients shelf life storage conditions
Apart from functional requirements, modern-day packaging must also be:
visual appealing (help sell product; act as ‘silent salesman’)
Packaging requirements: (5)
functionality compatible with product compatible with equipement/transport/retail affordable legal requirements
The 3 categories of damage that can happen to food:
physical damage
chemical change
biological damage
Examples of physical damage: (4)
mechanical forces (impact, vibration, compression, abrasion)
What can trigger chemical changes causing deterioration: (4)
light
oxygen
moisture
temperature change
What are causes of biological damage?
microbes
pests
humans (stealing, tampering, adulteration)
Physical protection will protect the food from: (4)
physical damage
spillage
physical contaminants
moisture loss/gain
What chemical spoilage processes can occur? (6)
lipid oxidation enzymatic degradation non-enzymatic browning nutrient loss color change flavor change
advantage vs disadvantage of light in food?
good: help display contents
bad: damage (lipid oxidation, destroy vitamins, bleaching)
Describe the different effects of light on aluminum foil vs PVC
aluminum: block ALL light
PVC: absorb UV only
The package acts as a _____, controllling the entry/exit of things such as: (5)
barrier
light, gases, heat, moisture, microbes
Why is the appearance design of a package important?
To sell the product!
brand image/identification
communicate
What is a ‘brand?’
identifictaion; differentiates from other similar products
What is the importance of a ‘trademark?’
offers legal protection for the brand
What are the components of brand image?
brand personality: set of values/characteristics of brand (to relate to consumer)
Equity: established trust in company or product
What packaging aspects can influence consumer appeal (8)
size/shape/value of material easy open/reseal storage requirements attractiveness instructions gifts or promotions recycling point of purchase
True/False: a successfully packaged product is targeting to ALL audiences
False: should target specific consumer
age/gender/education/income/ethnicity/beliefs/etc
What needs to be considered when evaluating package compatibility with the product?
physical form of product (liquid/solid/paste/viscous, etc)
chemical nature of product (volatile/flammable/fragile/sterile/sensitive/etc)
what considerations must be made for package compatilibity with transportation and retail? (6)
transport method transport/storage time weight/size restrictions legal requirements point/method of sale
What is important to consider for cost of packaging? (4)
cost of package materials/filling/transport
product value
size of market
shelf life
What aspects of packaging have legal requirements to be considered? (7)
product identification nutrition label health claims contents certifications transport requirements materials
for package gas permeability, what are the specific factors of concern?
O2, CO2, N2, H2O
Packaging protects against environmental factors, including:
light
odor
microbes
moisture
What mechanical properties of packaging should be considered
weight elasticity heat-sealability meachanical sealability strength (tensile, tear, impact, bursting)
What are concerns about package reactivity with food?
grease (leaching)
acid (react with metal)
water
color
packaging factors related to marketing:
printability
attractiveness
cost
The ideal packaging characteristics: (9)
sanitary nontoxic transparent (can see product) lightweight easy handling/storage easy open/close returnable/recyclable/reusable safe tamper-proof
What are 2 new categories of functional packaging?
intelligent packaging
active packaging
What is intelligent packaging?
sense & measure inner attributes of product
detect changes in safety/quality to notify consumer
What is active packaging?
functional protective properties beyond just containment/passive protection
(ex: control moisture, antimicrobial, etc)
2 major current concerns surrounding packaging:
environment (too much waste)
chemicals
Food Packaging technology is closely tied to what scientific fields? (5)
Materials Food Information Socio-economics Environmental
The 3 main components of the food package industry:
- suppliers (converters, machinery)
- fillers (make products to be packaged)
- services (design, marketing, testing)
Packaging consists of multiple ____, with each fulfilling a specific purpose, and working in an _____ fashion
levels
integrated
Levels of packaging systems: (4)
primary (direct contact with product)
secondary (holds primary)
shipping container (bundles packs)
Unit load (several containers grouped for transport)
Coors company introduced what packaging system?
Loadmaster
Trays with interlocking divisions; product contained in layers (can remove trays when empty)
large bundles such as shipping containers can be placed on:
pallets or dollies
identify the different levels in a cookie packaging
primary: corrugated HDPE tray, PP overwrap
secondary: paperboard box
shipping: corrugated carton
unit load: pallet wrapped with PVDC
identify different levels in potato packaging
primary: paper sack (multiwall, plastic window)
secondary: none
shipping: none
unit load: pallet of bags, stretch wrap (LDPE)
Do all packaging systems have all the levels?
No
Whate are commonly used packaging materials? (7)
wood cloth paper glass metal plastic laminates
New food packaging: (6)
MAP Vacuum cooking Aseptic Smart packaging Nanotechnology Renewable/Biodegradable
