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safety & regulatory issues
can be evaluated and their risk known and controlled.
Laws based on risk and consumer exposure to these
substances were and are designed to control chemical
and toxicological contamination of packages and protect
the health of consumers.
The physical and microbiological contamination
is mainly related to the processing, handling and storage
and must be controlled by process safety management
systems and quality certifications.
Sophisticated analytical techniques and
mathematical modeling with parameters closest to
real situations are applied to estimate the migration
of package components to food. Moreover studies
are conducted to assess consumer exposure to these
migrants to address the lack of more realistic data
(OLDRING, 2010).
The laws for package materials for food contact
are designed to ensure consumer safety through control
of chemical contamination due to the migration of
package components to the product. They are constantly
evolving to incorporate new substances and new
technologies such as active packaging, post-consumer
recycled materials and nanomaterials, and are revised
to incorporate new interpretations based on scientific
and technological knowledge. All materials for direct
food contact must demonstrate compliance with the
requirements of the laws.
Declarations of Compliance are required in order
to transfer information and to formalize the responsibility
of the package material manufacturer and ensure the
correct use of package in the conditions set out.
The laws vary among countries and efforts for
harmonization, implementation and mutual recognition
are expected by importers and exporters of food and
food packaging in world trade.
Process Safety Management Systems are
efficient mechanisms to bring about transparency and
continuous improvement of package manufacturing
processes and include :
• GMP - Good Manufacturing Practice and application
and validation of HACCP - Hazard Analysis and
Critical Control Points.
• Certifications of quality systems based on
international standards - BRCIoP, FSSC 22000 (ISO
22000 and PAS 223), ISO 22000, IFS PACSecure,
among other standards and systems.
Organizations and associations work to
harmonize standards and regulations related to food
safety, benefiting international trade and food quality
(MERMELSTEIN, 2012).
The traceability of package materials, whether
automated or not, is a requirement of some laws and
it is becoming increasingly necessary for safety and
identification of the origin of packaged products. In
this context, RFID will offer significant opportunities
for manufacturers, retailers and consumers.
Table 8.1 shows the trends highlighted in the
development of the megatrend Safety and Regulatory
Issues along with possible packaging contributions.
8.1 RELIABILITY AND SAFETY
Several factors are driving changes in the food
industry with regard to their safety. Many factors are
forcing the industry to improve its manufacturing
processes, suppliers of raw materials and human
resources (PACKAGING WORLD, 2012). Among them
are:
• Dependence on a global supply chain.
• Development of science in the diagnosis of food
related diseases.
• Development of analytical equipment and techniques
that allow the detection of substances in smaller
amounts and even substances which have never
before been detected.
• Consumers who expect quality food at low cost and
with zero risk.
• Influence of the traditional and social media on food
issues.
• New requirements from regulations and laws.