January 2025 Blow Molding Blog
Looking for Blow Molding Consulting? Check out our Team. Click here.
January 16, 2025
Eco-Friendly Packaging Revolutionizes Broccoli Transport
Eco-Friendly Packaging Revolutionizes Broccoli Transport
Shipping fresh vegetables like broccoli has historically relied on ice-filled polystyrene foam boxes to maintain freshness. While effective, these materials pose significant environmental and safety issues. StePacPPC’s innovative Xtend MA/MH packaging now offers a sustainable alternative, enabling iceless transport while reducing waste, costs, and carbon emissions.
Xtend MA/MH (Modified Atmosphere/Modified Humidity) films replace polystyrene foam and ice with recyclable corrugated boxes. Japan’s Otofuke Agricultural Cooperative (JA Otofuke) adopted Xtend bulk bags to ship broccoli from Hokkaido to Yokohama, maintaining superior product quality while significantly reducing their environmental footprint.
Traditional methods create challenges. Polystyrene foam is increasingly banned due to its environmental impact, and wax-coated boxes prevent recycling. Iced shipments also risk microbial contamination, vitamin C loss, and messy, hazardous transport conditions.
Xtend packaging slows respiration, reduces ethylene production, removes excess moisture, delays aging, and inhibits microorganism growth. Key benefits include:
Xtend MA/MH (Modified Atmosphere/Modified Humidity) films replace polystyrene foam and ice with recyclable corrugated boxes. Japan’s Otofuke Agricultural Cooperative (JA Otofuke) adopted Xtend bulk bags to ship broccoli from Hokkaido to Yokohama, maintaining superior product quality while significantly reducing their environmental footprint.
Traditional methods create challenges. Polystyrene foam is increasingly banned due to its environmental impact, and wax-coated boxes prevent recycling. Iced shipments also risk microbial contamination, vitamin C loss, and messy, hazardous transport conditions.
Xtend packaging slows respiration, reduces ethylene production, removes excess moisture, delays aging, and inhibits microorganism growth. Key benefits include:
- Increased Efficiency: Xtend eliminates ice, allowing 66% more broccoli per container.
- Cost Savings: Removing ice reduces shipping costs by over 30%.
- Reduced Carbon Footprint: Xtend cuts cross-country shipment emissions by approximately 40%.
- Improved Food Safety: Xtend minimizes contamination risks and ensures better quality.
January 31, 2025
The Risks of Antimicrobial Packaging: Silver Nanoparticles in Food Contact Materials
The Risks of Antimicrobial Packaging: Silver Nanoparticles in Food Contact Materials
Antimicrobial packaging has the potential to extend shelf life, reduce food waste, and prevent foodborne illnesses. However, concerns over the safety of nanosilver—silver nanoparticles embedded in plastic food packaging—continue to grow. While this technology has attracted commercial interest, it is not approved for use in food packaging in the U.S. or Europe.
New research published in ACS Food Science & Technology (2025) reveals that silver nanoparticles do not remain contained within packaging materials but instead migrate into the food they encase. Scientists led by Timothy Duncan at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested polyethylene films embedded with silver nanoparticles on cheese, flour, spinach, and ground rice under various storage conditions. To their surprise, silver was detected in all food items, with higher concentrations in those making greater surface contact with the plastic.
While previous studies showed silver leaching into liquid foods, researchers had assumed that air gaps in solid foods would prevent migration. This new evidence challenges that assumption. Though washing food removes some silver contamination, it does not eliminate it entirely.
The long-term health implications remain unclear, but experts, including analytical food chemist Katrin Löschner, caution against its use in food packaging despite its antimicrobial properties. While nanosilver may have valuable applications in healthcare, its potential risks in consumer food products warrant further investigation. As regulatory bodies continue to assess its safety, manufacturers must consider alternative antimicrobial solutions that ensure both food preservation and consumer well-being. Learn more about this topic here.
New research published in ACS Food Science & Technology (2025) reveals that silver nanoparticles do not remain contained within packaging materials but instead migrate into the food they encase. Scientists led by Timothy Duncan at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested polyethylene films embedded with silver nanoparticles on cheese, flour, spinach, and ground rice under various storage conditions. To their surprise, silver was detected in all food items, with higher concentrations in those making greater surface contact with the plastic.
While previous studies showed silver leaching into liquid foods, researchers had assumed that air gaps in solid foods would prevent migration. This new evidence challenges that assumption. Though washing food removes some silver contamination, it does not eliminate it entirely.
The long-term health implications remain unclear, but experts, including analytical food chemist Katrin Löschner, caution against its use in food packaging despite its antimicrobial properties. While nanosilver may have valuable applications in healthcare, its potential risks in consumer food products warrant further investigation. As regulatory bodies continue to assess its safety, manufacturers must consider alternative antimicrobial solutions that ensure both food preservation and consumer well-being. Learn more about this topic here.
© Copyright BHC Associates, Inc., 2020 - 2024. All rights reserved.
