Topic 7 - Food packaging Flashcards
What are the main purposes of food packaging?
To preserve the product.
To protect the product from damage.
To make the product more attractive to the consumer.
To make it easier to transport the product.
What are the advantages of paper and card?
Easy to print on, cheap to produce, biodegradable, recyclable, can be moulded, can be coated, lightweight.
What are the disadvantages of paper and card?
Water - resistant and can be easily damaged.
What are the advantages of plastic?
It is versatile - plastics can be flexible or rigid; can be made into shapes, resistant to acids and other chemicals, easy to print on, lightweight and fairly cheap go make.
What are the disadvantages of plastic?
It’s a litter problem, does not biodegrade easily.
What are the advantages of metal?
Recyclable, lightweight, good barrier to water and gas, can be printed on easily.
What are the disadvantages of metals?
May react with food.
What are the advantages of glass?
Reusable, heat resistant, recyclable, keeps its shape and it’s a low cost.
What are the disadvantages of glass?
Breaks easily, heavy and there is safety issues.
What is modified atmosphere packaging? (MAP)
Food manufacturers can change the type of gas inside packaging to increase the shelf life of the product and to slow down loss of colour. MAP replaces most of the oxygen inside the pack with carbon dioxide and nitrogen.
What is vacuum packaging?
All the air is removed from inside the pack leaving the food with no oxygen. Without oxygen, the food keeps fresh for longer unopened.
What is tamper-proof packaging?
Shows that the pack has not been opened and the contents have not been changed or damaged.
