100 Handbook of herbs and spices
5.10 New packaging materials used in herbs and spices......................
The type of packaging materials predominately used in the herb and spice
industry has not changed dramatically in the last 20 years. In recent years there has
been an increased focus on utilizing the latest technology. New packaging materials
such as coated BOPP films, nylon and polyester-based films, special laminates in
combination with cellophane, polyethylene, polyester, multilayer coextruded nylon
based films, coextruded films based on ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVAL) and PVDC-
coated BOPP have a bright future for packaging spices. PET bottles with a unique
shape and clarity may be considered a good possible alternative. Stand-up pouches
are suitable for green and red pepper in brine solution and for ground spice powders.
Fresh herbs and spices in a tube format bring innovation and convenience to the
industry.
The product characteristics, storage and distribution conditions, dictate the required
barrier properties of the packaging materials used for a specific application. Barrier
properties include permeability of gases (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, ethylene,
etc.), water vapour, aromas and light. There are vital factors for maintaining the
quality of foods. However, packaging materials cannot be chosen solely on the basis
of their barrier properties. Factors such as processability, mechanical properties (tensile
strength, elongation, tear strength, puncture resistance, friction, burst strength, etc.)
migration/absorption and chemical resistance must also be considered. Environmental
factors such as temperature, relative humidity and light intensity to which the product
is exposed during storage and distribution must also be taken into consideration
when selecting packaging materials.
5.11 Future trends...................................................................................
A continuing trend in food packaging technology is the study and development of
new materials that possess very high barrier properties. High barrier materials can
reduce the total amount of packaging materials required, since they are made of thin
or lightweight materials with high barrier properties. The use of high barrier packaging
materials reduces the costs in material handling, distribution and transportation and
waste reduction.
Convenience is also a focus of manufacturing, distribution, transportation, sales,
marketing, product development. Consumption and waste-disposal levels are also
very important. Convenience parameters may be related to productivity, processibility,
warehousing, traceability, display qualities, tamper-resistance, easy opening and cooking
preparation. Safety is the third most critical element due to the risk of food bioterrorism.
Food-borne illness and malicious alteration of foods must be eliminated from the
food chain.
Consumers also want their food packaging to encompass all of the points discussed
as well as being natural and environmentally friendly. The substitution of artificial
chemical ingredients in foods and in packaging materials with natural ingredients is
always attractive to consumers. The trend will be to move towards environmentally
friendly packaging material that are more natural and contain more recyclable or
reusable materials.