FOOD PRESERVATIONIrradiation, Packaging, and Biotech

FOOD IRRADIATION

Food Irradiation is a cold food preservation method in which food is exposed to high energy electromagnetic waves.!

Mostly used for products like makeup until recently.

FOOD IRRADIATION

Now approved in 40 countries for over 60 food products (2007).!

How it works:!

Intense pulse of energy is emitted!

Gama radiation from Cobalt-60!

Energy destroys bacteria.

FOOD IRRADIATION

Four Purposes!

1. Preservation!

2. Sterilization!

3. Control Sprouting, Ripening, and Insect Damage!

4. Control Foodborne Illness

FOOD IRRADIATION

Timeline:!

1920s - French scientists discover that irradiation preserves foods.!

1963 - Irradiation approved by FDA to control insects in wheat and wheat powder.!

1970s - NASA adopts irradiation to sterilize meat for astronauts to eat in space.!

1997 - Red meat is approved for irradiation by FDA.!

2000s - USDA approves the irradiation of all beef, eggs, and seeds.!

2005 - Shellfish approved for irradiation by FDA.

International Symbol!Irradiated Food Product

FOOD IRRADIATION

F O O D PA C K A G I N G

FOOD PACKAGING

All methods of food preservation rely on some type of packaging.!

Group List:!

What are some different types of food packages that you find in the grocery store?

FOOD PACKAGING

What do you think are the functions of food packaging?

FOOD PACKAGING

Functions:!

Act as a barrier between food an contaminants.!

Acts as a dispenser.!

Protects food from moisture, gas, odors, and light.!

Some serve multiple functions (e.g. storage, cooking, and serving.)

FOOD PACKAGING

Packaging must follow 1993 Nutrition Labeling and Education Act.

FOOD PACKAGING

Types of Packaging Materials!

List as many types of packaging materials that you can with your 8 O’ clock partner.

FOOD PACKAGING

Types of Packaging Materials!

Metals!

Glass!

Paper!

Plastics!

Packaging Films!

Laminates

FOOD PACKAGING

Metals!

Steel - cheap but corrodes.!

Tin - Used to coat steel to prevent corrosion.!

Only 0.25% of a tin can is actually tin.!

Aluminum - lightweight, anti-corrosion, but lacks structural strength.

FOOD PACKAGING

GlassBeen around

for a long time.Susceptible to

breakage.

Primary container used

for home canning.

Heavy

Does not react with food, no

contamination.!

Pros Cons

List Pros/

Cons with 9

O’clock

partner

FOOD PACKAGING

Paper!

Lightweight!

Low cost!

Recyclable

FOOD PACKAGING

Plastics!

Three main types:!

Polymers - one basic unit of organic molecules.!

Copolymers - two basic units combined to make one material.!

Ionomers - plastics held together with ionic bonds rather than covalent bonds.

WOW! That

sounds

confusing!

FOOD PACKAGING

Packaging Films!

Films come in a broad range of thin, flexible, and often transparent materials.!

Cellophane is specially processed cellulose.!

Over 100 types!

Edible Films & Coatings

FOOD PACKAGING

Laminates!

Multiple layers into one packaging product.!

Layers consist of:!

Outer covering!

Moisture barrier!

Paper Layer!

Gas Barrier!

Plastic that melts to help seal!

Nontoxic glues to seal layers together

FOOD PACKAGING

Reduced Oxygen Packaging (ROP)!

Provides an atmosphere that has little or no oxygen surrounding the food.!

Used for:!

Red meat!

Poultry!

Seafood!

Pasta!

Cheeses!

Precooked meals