A wide range of additives is available for enhancing the performance and appearance of food packaging, as well as improving the processing of the compound. Legislation governing products coming into contact with food and drink is continually under review throughout the world. John Murphy takes a look at plastics additives in food packaging. While it is necessary to ensure that all the ingredients in the compound are completely safe for use in contact with food, this may distract attention from their possible influence on the processability of the compound. Especially in the food packaging sector, plastics compounds for film, sheet/thermoforming and injection moulding are expected today to run at ever-higher speeds, with no sticking or faults. Processing aids and antistats are therefore much to the fore also - and their behaviour in contact with foodstuffs is critical.
The ingredients used in products coming into contact with food and drink have been regulated for many years but, with new materials (particularly additives) constantly being introduced, and also with a growing understanding of what actually constitutes a hazard, the legislation is under continuous revision.