Ladaga, Anna Zarina T.

Manalang, Katrina Veia D.

Intelligent Packaging

packaging that contains an external or internal indicator to provide information about aspects of the history of the package and/or the quality of food (Robertson, 2006)

Dr. Graham Moore. (July 2006). Harnessing Opportunities Offered by Emerging Technologies.

Advantages

improved control and maintenance of cold chain

improved sensory quality and safety control

quality labels as marketing tools

Types of Intelligent Packaging Product Quality

Freshness IndicatorsTime – Temperature IndicatorsGas Concentration IndicatorsLeak IndicatorsSensors

ConvenienceThermochromic InksMicrowave Doneness Indicators (MDIs)Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

Freshness Indicators

quality or freshness indicators are used to indicate if the quality of the product has become unacceptable during storage, transport, and retailing and in consumers’ homes

Freshness Indicators

Ripe SenseWorks by reacting to

the aromas released by the fruit as it ripens

sensor is initially red and graduates to orange and finally yellow

Freshness Indicators

Kimchi Freshness IndicatorA color indicating film made of resin

(polypropylene), carbon dioxide absorber (calcium hydroxide), and a chemical dye (bromocresol purple or methyl red) which indicates the freshness of Kimchi

Time – Temperature Indicators Provide a quick, easy, reliable way of

determining whether or not food has undergone changes in temperature or passed its pre-set time limit during transport and/or storage, and therefore is no longer safe to sell

Time – Temperature Indicators Relies on the properties of organic

pigments that change color over time and when temperatures fluctuate

Once activated by a suitable UV light source, the indicator becomes dark and then grows progressively lighter as time passes and/or the ambient temperature rises

Time – Temperature Indicators TEMPTIME

consists of a small circle of polymer surrounded by a printed reference ring

polymer gradually deepens in color to reflect cumulative temperature exposure

Gas Concentration Indicators Internal gas label indicators are put into

the package to control the inside atmosphere

Labels change color at the correct gas level due to enzymatic activity

Allows fast visual check without package destruction

Leak Indicators

Based on oxygen sensitive dye

color change from white to blue in the presence of a leakage (oxygen enters the package)

Sensors

The Food Sentinel System™A biosensor system capable of continuous

detection of pathogens in a systemA specific pathogen antibody is attached to

the membrane forming part of the barcode

Convenience

Essential element in the food industry Easier and quicker access to better

quality foods

Thermochromic Inks

Thermochromismability of substance to

change color due to a change in temperature

Thermochromic Inks

Liquid crystals Leucodyes

its cool state, a leucodye exhibits color, and when warmed, it turns clear or translucent

Courtesy of Color Change Corporation

Microwave Doneness Indicators Devices which detect and visually

indicate the state of readiness of foods heated in a microwave oven

Radio Frequency Identification The use of radio frequencies to read

information on a small device known as tagActive tagPassive tag

Any device that can be sensed at a distance by radio frequencies with few problems from obstruction or disorientation

Radio Frequency Identification Attaching an RFID tag to a package

makes it "intelligent" because this silicon chip functions as a mobile database, holding valuable information, such as the product's history, location and destination

Radio Frequency Identification

provide much more traceability in food packaging than bar code labels because the tags can be scanned without direct line of sight

Theft, Counterfeit and Tampering Food processors' objective is to create a

package that is so difficult or expensive to imitate that counterfeiters can't succeed, or perhaps don't even try to create a knock-off

Theft, Counterfeit and Tampering Taggants

which are traceable, microscopic particles, can be incorporated into packaging materials such as paper, plastic resins and films, adhesives and inks

The taggant code is a unique numeric code sequence embodied in a multi-colored, layered format

Theft, Counterfeit and Tampering AuthentiGuard VeriGlow

The package or label is printed using invisible security ink and at the same time encoded with hidden graphics or text. A special light source is used to detect the security ink's glow, and a handheld decoder lens reveals the hidden message

Theft, Counterfeit and Tampering AuthentiGuard VeriGlow

Taken from: http://www.foodprocessing.com/articles/2006/027.html?page=full

ReferencesRobertson, G.L. (2006). Food Packaging Princples and Practice, 2nd

edition

Dennis R. Heldman. Encyclopedia of agricultural, food, and biological engineering

http://screenweb.com/index.php/channel/6/id/1425/

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Radio-frequency_identification&printable=yes

http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2003/02/food_packaging.html