Types Of Packaging Research Articles

Greenhouse gas equivalents and water consumption of product sample packaging in dermatology

Sampling refers to the free supply of small product samples. In this process, the packaging can be disproportionate to the contents leading to raw material consumption and, in the case of poor recyclability, environmental pollution. In this article, calculations regarding the ratio between packaging and product weight for commonly used types of packaging (sachet, tube, jar) of dermatological product samples are presented. The usefulness of sampling is discussed considering environmental and economic criteria. A total of 43 dermatological product samples from different manufacturers were manually weighed and classified. Packaging was disassembled into its structural components. The proportional weights or the weight of the bottle/tube body were calculated with database values for the respective material in terms of greenhouse gas equivalents (CO2eq) and freshwater consumption. Subsequently, atotal sum for the impact of each packaging was formed. Only the material and manufacturing process were considered because there were no valid data available for transport, utilization, and end of life (EoL) impacts. The smallest and lightest product sample (1.24 g) generated ca. 15 g CO2eq and approximately 700 ml of freshwater consumption. The largest and heaviest product sample (37 g) generated 53 g CO2eq and 5.78 l of freshwater consumption. Assuming an annual distribution of 10 million units of the 43product samples examined here, ca. 8000 t of CO2eq are produced by the packaging alone. Additionally, 880,000,000 l of water are used and approximately 2300 t of packaging waste are generated. Sampling shows an unfavorable ratio between CO2eq/water consumption and utility, especially in comparison to larger units of packaging. Millions of product samples are distributed annually in doctor's practices, hospitals and pharmacies, particularly in dermatology. The practice of sampling should be questioned both ecologically and economically.

The effect of cold chain disruption on the microbiological profile of chilled chicken meat

This study evaluates the influence of inadequate transport conditions on the microbiological quality of chilled chicken meat packaged in plain and modified atmosphere packaging (MAP). The experiments simulated the temperature increase during sample transport to 8, 11, 14, 17, 20, and 25°C with exposure times of 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. Aerobic plate count (APC), psychrotrophic microorganisms count (PMC), β-D-glucuronidase-positive Escherichia coli, and Salmonella spp. were evaluated immediately after the exposure to the elevated temperature (0 h), 3 h, and 24 h after the return to the temperature of ≤4°C. The upper acceptable limits for APC and PMC were set for each combination of investigated chicken meat and packaging type, taking also the initial bacterial condition into account. Chilled chicken breast samples in plain packaging exceeded the APC limits in 16 cases and PMC limits in 20 cases when exposed to temperatures of >4°C, while only 2 MAP samples exceeded APC limits and 8 samples PMC limits, respectively. In chicken legs, 8 samples in plain packaging exceeded the APC limits and 15 the PMC limits, while 12 samples in MAP exceeded the APC limits and 19 the PMC limits. In 402 samples (31.9%) in which the presence of E. coli was detected, its amount ranged from 1.70 to 3.65 log CFU.g−1. It was more commonly detected in chicken legs (255 of 630; 40.5%) than chicken breasts (147 of 630; 23.3%) but was not related to exposure temperature, exposure time, or time until examination. The presence of Salmonella spp. was not detected in any of the samples. Data acquired in the presented study will be used in the development of software helping the national supervisory authorities in the Czech Republic to evaluate whether inadequate transport of samples to analytical laboratories could have affected the microbiological profile of the sample.

Improving mango shelf-life using PVA composite films prepared with Zn-doped carbon quantum dots derived from crayfish shells

Food packaging plays a vital role in preserving various agricultural and food commodities for postharvest management. This study aimed to investigate postharvest preservation technologies for mangoes using composite films made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and Zn-doped carbon quantum dots (Zn-CQDs). The results showed a marked increase in the antibacterial potential of the composite films after Zn doping. Furthermore, the addition of Zn-CQDs significantly improved the mechanical properties, thermal stability and ultraviolet absorption of the Zn-CQDs/PVA composite films. In addition, the mango preservation experiment demonstrated that the 5% Zn-CQDs/PVA composite film was effective in delaying the decline in mango hardness (the composite film group was 63.2% higher than the control), VC content (the composite film group was 27.5% higher than the control), titratable acid content (the composite film group was 149% higher than the control), and the incline of disease index (the composite film group was 23.1% lower than the control), total soluble solids (the composite film group was 27.3% lower than the control), and weight loss rate (the composite film group was 25.7% lower than the control). These findings suggest that the Zn-CQDs/PVA composite films hold great potential as a new type of active packaging in the food industry.

EXPRESS: A Machine Learning Approach to Solve the E-commerce Box-Sizing Problem

E-commerce packages are notorious for their inefficient usage of space. More than one-quarter volume of a typical e-commerce package comprises air and filler material. The inefficient usage of space significantly reduces the transportation and distribution capacity increasing the operational costs. Therefore, designing an optimal set of packaging box sizes is crucial for improving efficiency. We present the first learning-based framework to determine the optimal packaging box sizes. In particular, we propose a three-stage optimization framework that combines unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning, and tree search to design box sizes. The package optimization problem is formulated into a sequential decision-making task called the box-sizing game. A neural network agent is then designed to play the game and learn heuristic rules to solve the problem. In addition, a tree-search operator is developed to improve the performance of the learned networks. When benchmarked with company-based optimization formulation and two alternate optimization models, we find that our ML-based approach can effectively solve large-scale problems within a stipulated time. We evaluated our model on real-world datasets supplied by a large e-commerce platform. The framework is currently adopted by a large e-commerce company across its 28 fulfillment centers, which is estimated to save the company about 7.1 million USD annually. In addition, it is estimated that paper consumption will be reduced by 2080 metric tons and greenhouse gas emissions by 1960 metric tons annually. The presented optimization framework serves as a decision support tool for designing packaging boxes at large e-commerce warehouses.

A Study on cosmetics collaboration package types -Focusing on Korean, Chinese, and Japanese brands-

A Study on cosmetics collaboration package types -Focusing on Korean, Chinese, and Japanese brands-

Impact of Package Type on Selected Health Quality Parameters of Organic, Conventional and Wild Raspberries (Rubus idaeus L.) Frozen Stored

Functional foods and the nutritional value of products are now very relevant for consumers. Additionally, interest in biodegradable components made from natural products has recently increased. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different package types (with addition of films made of biopolymers enriched with natural extracts of ginger, cinnamon, and turmeric) on antioxidative properties of conventional, organic, and wild-grown raspberry fruit during frozen storage for 1-, 4-, 8-, and 12-month periods. The content of total polyphenol and anthocyanins, as well as antioxidant activity, were studied. Additionally, structural (FT-IR and UV-Vis), mechanical (tensile strength and elongation), and surface wetting angle tests of used films were studied. In all crop types, polyphenol content increased at 8 and 12 months of frozen storage in packages with an addition of biopolymer films. There was a statistically significant increase in the amount of total polyphenols in the last month of storage in the package with films with added cinnamon extract. In contrast, packages with ginger-enriched films contributed to an increase in polyphenols only in organically grown and wild raspberry fruit at the 4th, 8th, and 12th month and 8th and 12th month, respectively. The addition of films with turmeric extract increased the polyphenol content in the 8th month of frozen storage of organically grown raspberry fruit and in the 12th month of wild-grown raspberry. During frozen storage of wild raspberry fruit, an increase in anthocyanin content was observed in all cases in the 12th month. This result was almost twice as high as in the control sample. The greatest rise in the content of anthocyanins occurred when packages with films with turmeric extract were applied. Tendencies presented by this paper are not clear-cut in cases of antioxidant activity of analysed raspberries. A common feature was that, in general, after 12 months of storage, raspberries from all crops had higher and statistically significant antioxidant values compared to the first month of storage. Studies on the biocomposite films have shown that the structure of chitosan and alginate polymers was partly decomposed after 12 months, and the natural extracts and raspberry crops used had different effects on the mechanical properties of the biocomposites films. Based on the results of research that has been carried out, it can be concluded that it has not been clearly proven whether the addition of polysaccharide films to packages contributes to the increase in bioactive compounds during frozen storage.

Synergistic performance enhancement of lead-acid battery packs at low- and high-temperature conditions using flexible phase change material sheets

Thermal management of lead-acid batteries includes heat dissipation at high-temperature conditions (similar to other batteries) and thermal insulation at low-temperature conditions due to significant performance deterioration. To address this trader-off, this work proposes a thermal management solution based on flexible phase change materials (PCMs) with moderate thermal conductivity and other favourable properties including high specific heat capacity and high latent heat. A novel type of flexible PCM sheets is prepared with paraffin, olefin block copolymers (OBC) and expanded graphite using the co-melting method. The flexible PCM sheets are attached to a common type of lead-acid battery packs (12 Ah, dimensions of 151 × 98 × 97 mm) and thermal management performance is experimentally investigated at –10 °C and 40 °C as low- and high-temperature conditions, respectively, along with 25 °C as a baseline case for comparison purposes. Thermal properties of the battery packs such as temperature regulation and electric properties including charge/discharge capacities and rates are studied synchronously based on a standard high-performance battery detection facility. The results indicate that at –10 °C condition, the PCM sheet enhances thermal insulation of the battery pack and significantly promotes the service temperature during the charging processes. Compared with a benchmark pack attached with an encapsulated sheet, the charge and discharge capacities of the PCM-attached pack are improved by 3.7% and 5.9%, respectively. At 40 °C condition, phase transition of the PCM sheet restrains the temperature rise of the battery pack, with a maximum temperature decrease of 4.2 °C during the charging processes relative to the benchmark pack, and the temperature of the PCM-attached pack is maintained below 45 °C across 60% of the overall charge period. The overcharge and overdischarge have also been alleviated by 3.2% and 2.8%, respectively, and thus the running stability and service lifespan can be improved. The proposed PCM sheets with preferable thermal properties demonstrate potential to promote performance of lead-acid battery packs and such components are also expected to improve heat dissipation and thermal insulation in similar applications including building energy saving, thermal management of electronic chips and thermal regulation of electronic devices.

Investigation on Thermal Runaway Hazards of Cylindrical and Pouch Lithium-Ion Batteries under Low Pressure of Cruise Altitude for Civil Aircraft

Thermal runaway characteristics and hazards of lithium-ion batteries under low ambient pressure in-flight conditions are studied in a dynamic pressure chamber. The influence of ambient pressures (95 kPa and 20 kPa) and packaging forms (cylindrical and pouch commercial batteries) were especially investigated. The results show that the values of heat release, temperature, and CO2 concentration decrease with the reduction in pressure from 95 kPa to 20 kPa, while the total hydrocarbon and CO increase. Without violent fire, explosion, and huge jet flames, the thermal hazards of TR fire under 20 kPa are lower, but the amount of toxic/flammable gas emissions increases greatly. The amount of CO and hydrocarbons varies inversely with the thermal hazards of fire. Under low-pressure environments of cruise altitude, the thermal hazards of TR fire for pouch cells and the toxic/potentially explosive hazards of gas emissions of cylindrical cells need more attention. The performance of TR hazards for two packaging types of battery is also different. Pouch cells have higher thermal hazards of fire and lower combustible/toxic emitted gases than cylindrical cells. The thermal runaway intensity of individual cells decreases under lower ambient pressure, but the burning intensity increases dramatically when thermal runaway occurs in a battery pack. The open time of a safety valve (rupture of the bag) is shortened, but the trigger time for a thermal runaway varies for different formats of batteries under 20 kPa. Those results may be helpful for the safety warning and hazard protection design of Li batteries under low-pressure conditions.

Prefilled Ophthalmic syringes - New Possibilities in Terminal Sterilization.

In a joint study carried out by Gerresheimer, Sterigenics and Früh, it could be shown that also NO2 is well suited to terminally sterilize prefilled ophthalmic syringes. In detail 5 topics were addressed: (1) Compare EtO vs. NO2 penetration into the filled syringe; (2) Analyze gas ingress though 4 different plunger stoppers including silicone oil free and standard rubber plungers; (3) Scrutinize gas ingress through 2 different cap designs based on different elastomer properties; (4) Investigate gas permeation through COP plastic barrels compared to glass; (5) Check if the Tyvek®-layer has an influence on either sterilization.Depending on the needs a suitable sterilization method, packaging and syringe type can be suggested to customers.

Health risk assessment of the concentrations of trace metals in some fruit juices from markets in Ghana

The study aimed to assess the risk exposure of processed fruit juices sold in Ghana by analyzing the concentrations of Cd, As, Ni, Hg, Cr and Pb. 27 processed fruit products were sampled from three markets and categorized based on packaging type. Heavy metals were quantified using Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MPA-ES) The results showed that Cd was not detected in any of the samples, while the average measured concentrations of Ni, Pb, As, Cr and Hg were 0.186, 0.201, 0.299, 0.839 and 0.062 mg/L, respectively. Although Cr levels were within acceptable limits in most products, concentrations of Pb, Hg, As and Ni exceeded permissible levels in several samples. On average, canned products had higher metal concentrations than paper packs and bottles. Imported products also showed higher levels than locally processed items. Pollution assessment indicated low pollution load index below 1. Health risk analysis revealed potential non-carcinogenic risks associated with As, Cr and Hg intake, with a hazard index exceeding 1 in over 50 % of products. Cancer risk estimation showed concerning values for Cr in all samples and Pb in some products. toxic elements could pose health hazards to consumers of processed fruit juices sold on Ghanaian markets.

An Evaluation of the Nutritional and Promotional Profile of Commercial Foods for Infants and Toddlers in the United States.

Despite growing concerns over the increasing popularity and health impact of commercial foods for infants and toddlers, no nutrition or promotional guidelines currently exist for the United States. In 2022, the WHO Regional Office for Europe published a nutrient and promotion profile model (NPPM) to provide guidance and regulation for commercially produced infant and toddler foods. This study assessed the nutritional and promotional profile of infant and toddler foods (6-36 months of age) collected from the top 10 grocery chains in 2023. Products were assessed against the WHO NPPM nutritional and promotional requirements. The type and number of claims across packaging type were also assessed. Of the 651 products examined, 60% failed to meet the nutritional requirements of the NPPM, and 0% met the promotional requirements. Almost 100% of products had at least 1 claim on-pack that was prohibited under the NPPM, with some products displaying up to 11 prohibited claims. Snack-size packages had the lowest compliance with nutrient requirements. These findings highlight that urgent work is needed to improve the nutritional quality of commercially produced infant and toddler foods in the United States. The high use of prohibited claims also suggests the need to regulate the type and number of claims allowed on-pack.

Effects of four types of packaging on the structural characteristics, quality attributes, and antioxidant activity of foxtail millet during storage

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to select suitable packaging for extending the shelf-life of foxtail millet grains (FMG). FMG were packaged in four types of packaging and subsequently stored at room temperature (25°C ± 1°C) for 6 months. The effects of four types of packaging on the corresponding structural characteristics, quality attributes, and antioxidant activity of FMG were investigated. The results showed that aging led to less-prominent internal morphological changes with the vacuum- and N2-packaged samples. Moreover, vacuum and N2 packaging retarded the increase of fat acidity and the decrease of yellowness (b*) during storage. Aging in cotton and polyamide–polyethylene (PA/PE) packaging resulted in less soluble solids leakage during cooking, leading to more reduction in stickiness. No changes in hardness of cooked FMG were found only for vacuum packaging. In addition, total phenolic content and antioxidant capacities were well preserved under vacuum or N2 conditions. Overall, vacuum packaging was more effective in retarding the quality deterioration of FMG when compared to the other storage conditions.

Effect of packaging and storage conditions on the pasting and functional properties of pretreated yellow-fleshed cassava flour

Cassava is highly susceptible to post harvest physiological deterioration which makes it necessary to initiate processing so as to extend the shelf life. In order to improve and enhance the nutritional characteristics of the processed cassava flour, this research was carried out so as to evaluate the adequate packaging materials and storage conditions necessary for safe storage and good flour quality. Pasting properties of food/flour is an indication of the different applicability of starch-based food ingredients in product development. The effect of packaging materials (cylindric polyvinyl containers and aluminum ziplock pouch bags) on quality attributes of pretreated yellow-fleshed cassava flour (YFCF) samples stored in two storage conditions a (cooling chamber at 5 °C and 30 % relative humidity and; in a climate chamber at 30 °C and 50 % relative humidity) was investigated for 8 weeks. Flour samples from each package type were evaluated for water absorption capacity, pasting and oil absorption capacity fortnightly. The treated initial flour sample before storage-sulfured (BSS) had the highest peak viscosity (891 RVU). The low peak time at the end of storage in non-sulfured flours packed in aluminum pouch bags and stored at 5 °C is an evidence of time and energy saving capacity. The water absorption capacity of non-sulfured flour samples packed in cylindric polyvinyl containers and the sulfured flour sample packed in an aluminum pouch bag at 30 °C increased with storage duration. The aluminum ziplock pouch bags showed excellent storage quality and retained better pasting property. The climatic storage condition revealed better keeping quality. The use of sodium metabisulphite revealed its suitability as a pretreatment tool.

LIFE CYCLE ANALYSIS OF BEVERAGE PACKAGING

Plastic is the leading food and item packaging material due to its lightweight characteristics. However, there have been alarming concerns over the past years since the large-scale introduction of plastic after the Second World War, and a total of 8.3 billion metric tons have been produced. This research aims to compare the environmental impact of the packaging design of several consumer products using life cycle analysis (LCA). Based on the openLCA open-source software, three beverage packaging types were compared: plastic bottles, glass bottles, and aluminium cans. The life cycle inventory (LCI) must be identified based on case studies, literature reviews and relevant assumptions to obtain the result. Then, each beverage packagings flows, process and product system was also required to be identified to run the openLCA software. The three types of packaging was compared within each CML category in terms of impact. The CML stands for "Centrum voor Milieukunde Leiden". It is a research institute of the Centre for Environmental Studies at Leiden University located in the Netherlands and a procedure used to estimate the measure of environmental impact caused by the product. Based on the CML eleven impact categories, the plastic bottle was ranked as the most impactful towards the environment, followed by glass bottles and aluminium cans as the least impactful. Other than that, it may be due to the quantity of material being used, the effect of the material during processing, and the recyclable ability.

Assessing the Physiochemical and Sensorial Quality of Pea Sauce Canned in Plastic Trays vs. Metal Cans

Metal cans, while boasting excellent barrier properties, raise concerns about leaching and environmental impacts. This study explored plastic trays, a potential alternative for canned food packaging. First we delved into the plastic tray’s characteristics, including its composition and permeability to oxygen and water vapor. Secondly, we conducted a comparison between the newly introduced plastic packaging and traditional metal cans, focusing on their interactions with food during the sterilization process and their effects on the quality of Tunisian pea sauce. The composition analysis revealed that the plastic tray was composed of polypropylene (PP) (with a single endothermic peak at 168 °C), while the film was found to have a mixture of PP internally and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) externally (with two endothermic peaks at 161.96 °C and 243.81 °C). Plastic trays showed good results in water vapor permeability (0.832 g/m2.d) but exhibited higher oxygen permeability (190 g/m2.d), raising oxidation concerns. Migration testing confirmed plastic packaging safety (<10 mg/dm2), while some simulants exceeded limits in metal cans. pH levels remained consistent between both packaging types, but varied significantly over a 28-day storage. Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVBN) levels differed significantly between plastic and metal packaging, with notable variations observed over time with maximums of 0.3 mg/100 g for plastic trays and 0.17 mg/100 g for metal cans. Sensory evaluation revealed that tasters were adept at differentiating between canned pea sauce in plastic trays and metal cans (83%, 10/12), with taste and color exhibiting significant differences (p < 0.05). This underlines the impact of packaging material on canned food quality and consumer preference, with minimal influence on other sensory aspects. This data empowers manufacturers to make informed packaging decisions for a diverse range of canned foods.

Investigation of self-desiccating cement-based materials for dihydrogen sequestration: Interactions between γ-MnO2/Ag2CO3 getter and the cement matrix

Mitigating the release of dihydrogen resulting from metal corrosion or water radiolysis is an important issue for the disposal of certain types of cemented radwaste packages. The approach investigated in this work consists in adding an oxide getter (γ-MnO2/Ag2CO3) to the cement matrix. Since the efficiency of the getter decreases under wet environment, two self-desiccating binders (calcium sulfo-aluminate and magnesium potassium phosphate cements), are used to obtain significant desaturation of the pore network by the sole hydration reactions. The getter slightly influences the rate of cement hydration at early age, but has no effect afterwards. Sorption of ions released by dissolution of cement phases onto γ-MnO2 is evidenced, as well as partial or total destabilization of silver carbonate. Nevertheless, the getter still enables to reduce strongly the outgassing of dihydrogen from mortars encapsulating Al-metal, which opens new perspectives to improve the conditioning of waste producing H2 in a cement matrix.

Transportation Vibration Effects on Apple Bruising

ABSTRACTVibrations during transportation often cause mechanical damage to fresh produce. Addressing or mitigating this damage requires efficient packaging solutions that maintain fresh produce integrity during transit, thereby preserving produce quality and market value. This study investigates the effects of various transportation profiles and packaging designs on apple bruising using simulated truck vibrations. Two apple varieties, Fuji and Jonagold, were packaged in corrugated paperboard boxes with paper pulp trays, plastic crates with paper pulp trays, corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing and plastic crates with volume packing, all commercial apple packaging. The packaged apples were exposed to two random vibration profiles: leaf spring and air ride suspensions, both set at four different intensities ranging from 0.2 to 0.7 Grms for 1, 3 and 5 h. The findings revealed that both packaging type and vibration parameters significantly influenced apple bruising. Especially, plastic crates with paper pulp trays led to the most severe bruising, whereas corrugated paperboard boxes with volume packing afforded the most protection. Regardless of the packaging design, leaf spring suspension resulted in more apple bruising compared to air ride suspension. The findings of this study provide practical insights for packaging engineers to mitigate the apple bruising during transportation.

Application of Ice Gel For Edible Flowers Distribution Packaging of Butterfly Pea

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea) is a popular edible flower in Indonesia that is rich in antioxidants. However, they are perishable and sensitive to temperature changes during storage and transportation. The use of ice gel in distribution packaging has been identified as an effective solution to maintain its quality. This study aimed to determine the optimal positioning of ice gel in two types of distribution packaging: a Styrofoam box and an insulated box. The experiment involved cooling 36 g of flowers per distribution package over 2 h of simulation using six pieces of ice gel at two different positions (positions 1 and 2). The results showed that the ice gel placed in position 2 reduced the temperature inside the packaging more rapidly and maintained the lowest temperature for a longer period than the ice gel placed in position 1. Therefore, placing the ice gel in position 2 is the best option for application in the distribution package. Ice gel position 2 can reduce the flower’s temperature from 20°C to 10.7°C in the Styrofoam box and from 20oC to 11°C in the insulated box during simulation.

The impact of time and storage conditions on samples containing OC pepper sprays on the quantitative ratios of capsaicinoids

Pepper sprays of the OC type constitute the majority of self-defense sprays available on the market. The active ingredient in these preparations is pepper extract: Oleoresin Capsicum, which contains capsaicinoids - natural compounds with irritant properties. Preparations from OC pepper sprays can be distinguished based on differences in the quantitative ratios of four main capsaicinoids: capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, nordihydrocapsaicin, and nonivamide. This raises the question whether information on the quantitative ratios of capsaicinoids can also provide answers to questions regarding comparisons of traces of OC preparations, such as whether traces revealed on the clothing of the victim could originate from an OC spray secured from the suspect, or whether traces on the clothing of the suspect and the victim could come from the same pepper spray. Such comparisons would be viable only if the capsaicinoid profile remained unchanged during evidence storage and as a result of solvent extraction from the tested material. The aim of the presented research was to determine if this is indeed the case. Model aging experiments were conducted to examine whether the capsaicinoid profile in traces of OC preparations changed over time and whether solvent extraction affected this profile. Samples of five different OC preparations were applied to cotton swabs, which, after the evaporation of volatile solvents, were placed in three types of packaging with varying levels of tightness and transparency (tight amber vials, polyethylene bags, paper envelopes). These prepared samples underwent solvent extraction with methanol and analysis using gas chromatography – mass spectrometry, after 28, 84, 147, 196, 252, and 301 days from preparation. The likelihood ratio (LR) was applied as a statistical tool to investigate the data obtained. The LR model was computed using the three variables based on the relative content of nordihydrocapsaicin, nonivamide, and dihydrocapsaicin. The cotton swabs used in the experiments served as a model for both the swabs used by the police for securing liquid evidence and the cotton clothing of individuals sprayed with OC pepper sprays. The findings of the conducted studies suggest that the quantitative relationships of capsaicinoids indeed change over time, both in preparations stored in original containers and in traces of these preparations present on clothing. For traces of OC preparations secured on swabs or present on clothing, these changes are more significant the longer the sample is stored and the less airtight the packaging used.

Influence of Packaging Design on Technical Emptiability of Dairy Products and Implications on Sustainability through Food Waste Reduction

Food loss and waste have been identified as significant contributors to existing environmental challenges. Previous studies have extensively quantified losses and waste throughout the value chain. However, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the influence of packaging design on food residue quantities. This study analyses the technical emptiability of dairy product packaging, building upon previously described methods and proposing new methods for a standardized analysis. The results demonstrate significant variations in residue amounts depending on product type, fat content, viscosity, packaging type and design, as well as consumer handling. The findings indicate that residues of high-viscosity products, such as yoghurt drinks and buttermilk, can accumulate to a level exceeding 4% of the total filling weight in the packaging; meanwhile, the residues of low-viscosity products, such as milk, collectively represent less than 1% of the total filling weight. Consumer handling instructions on packaging significantly reduce residues, as shown by the instruction to shake before opening, which notably decreases the residues of high-viscosity products. Future legislation to minimize food waste and reduce the environmental impact of packaging will necessitate that the packaging industry produces easy-to-empty packaging. This will improve sorting, recycling, recyclate quality, and environmental impact, consequently enhancing the sustainability of dairy packaging.