Challenges and Testing Requirements for Food Packaging

Food packaging plays a pivotal role in preserving product quality, extending shelf life, and maintaining consumer safety. While traditional packaging materials like glass and metal have been widely used, flexible packaging options like plastic films and pouches have gained significant traction due to their cost-effectiveness, versatility, and environmental benefits. However, ensuring the integrity and functionality of these packages requires rigorous testing to guarantee product protection.

Food packaging faces challenges in maintaining product quality. Factors such as oxygen, moisture, and light can accelerate food degradation, leading to loss of flavor, texture, and nutritional value. Additionally, the packaging material's mechanical properties must be sufficient to withstand the rigors of the supply chain.

To address these challenges, comprehensive testing is essential. Key areas of focus include:

Oxygen transmission rate (OTR): Measures the rate at which oxygen permeates the packaging material.

Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR): Determines the amount of water vapor passing through the packaging.

Carbon dioxide transmission rate (CO2TR): Evaluates the packaging's resistance to carbon dioxide, crucial for carbonated beverages and modified atmosphere packaging.

Labthink C406H Oxygen /Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is based on the testing principle of Coulometric oxygen sensor and infrared water vapor sensor. It is designed and manufactured according to ASTM D3985、ASTM F1249，ISO 15106-2 and other relevant standards to provide high precision and high efficiency oxygen and water vapor transmission rate tests for high and medium gas barrier materials. It is suitable for testing the oxygen and water vapor transmission performance of films, sheets and related materials in the fields of food, medicine, medical devices, daily chemicals, photovoltaic, electronic and many others.

Seal integrity and Seal strength: Verifies the strength and reliability of package seals to prevent leaks and contamination. Measures the force required to break the seal.

Impact resistance: Evaluates the packaging's ability to withstand impact during handling and transportation.

Thorough testing of food packaging is indispensable for maintaining product quality, safety, and consumer satisfaction. By understanding the critical role of barrier properties, sealing performance, and mechanical strength, packaging manufacturers can develop effective solutions to protect food products throughout their shelf life. As the food industry continues to evolve, ongoing research and development in packaging materials and testing methodologies will be crucial for meeting the demands of consumers and regulatory bodies.

As the demand for functional packaging materials grows, testing methods are evolving to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation of packaging films. Labthink encourages collaboration with packaging industry companies for quality control! Visit the website www.labthink.com to learn more!