Determinants of the Quality and Safety of Food Packaging

Abstract

In Chapters Unavailable –18, we, and our colleagues, have already illustrated how materials science could be applied to food-packaging applications. In fact, when materials are applied to food applications, simply being good in performance is not sufficient. The materials have to be safe. As the final chapter of Section IV, we are going to present the most important determinants of the safety of packaging intended for contact with food. It contains theoretical considerations on the nature of the safety of this type of product, focuses on the threats to the safety of packaging, the assessment and process of ensuring the safety of packaging, as well as its technical and system attributes. The impact of individual participants in the packaging supply chain on safety is demonstrated, indicating important activities carried out as part of the safety assurance process. The scope of legal regulations in countries, such as the United States, China, Canada, and the European Union, is presented. The difference in the approach of regulators to this issue is indicated. Particular attention is paid to the systemic aspect and activities undertaken within the process of ensuring safety. The literature on the subject often raises the subject of technical or hygienic aspects, ignoring the decision-making and management aspects. This chapter aims to indicate the most important determinants of the safety of food packaging, conditions, and actions that must be met in order for the packaging on the market to be an element that supports ensuring food safety.