| Human beings have always needed packaging in | | | | type-specific fields, e.g. drugs or food. |
| one form or another. Some of the earliest types | | | | Food packaging is a specialist subject within the |
| of packaging are still around today, for example | | | | packaging industry, and works closely with the |
| reed baskets. Initially all packaging was made from | | | | U.K's governing body for all food legislation and |
| natural materials, because it had to be. | | | | safety, 'The UK Food Standards Agency'. Food |
| Woven bags and wooden boxes were among the | | | | safety entails scientifically researched rulings on all |
| first. As more materials were developed and | | | | aspects of food to prevent food borne illnesses. |
| processed they too became of use as packaging. | | | | We all expect there to be specific rules and |
| During the 19th century, and as a result of the | | | | guidelines in place for Dental Surgery Assistants, |
| industrial revolution, packaging became far more | | | | or Hospital Nurses to prevent illness or disease |
| advanced. Tin cans and the first cardboard boxes | | | | through the spreading of bacteria and viruses, but |
| emerged. Later still, in the early 20th century, | | | | would you expect such rules to be in place for |
| plastics and aluminium were incorporated into | | | | food? Well they are! |
| packaging, around the same time we were | | | | The UK Food Standards Agency provides the |
| becoming more and more aware of food safety | | | | food industry and the general public with well |
| and food hygiene. | | | | researched, easy to access information regarding |
| We have made huge advances in both packaging | | | | food and food safety, it also enforces laws on, |
| and food safety. | | | | for example, required standards on food |
| Today packaging is a highly scientific field, it also | | | | packaging materials. |
| requires technological and artistic understanding, as | | | | A great deal of scientific research is undertaken |
| well as in-depth product knowledge. There are | | | | to ensure all materials which contact food at any |
| hundreds of high profile careers within the | | | | stage of its handling is safe, from food containers, |
| industry, including 'Packaging Engineering'. Subjects | | | | to the ink used in food product labelling. It is their |
| studied for this qualification are varied, basic | | | | responsibility to ensure the public is kept safe |
| engineering, basic science, and business, food | | | | from harmful chemicals through related materials. |
| safety, recycling, even robotics! It is an industry | | | | There are specific rules in place for specific |
| that is always advancing. | | | | materials, plastics, for example have a whole list |
| Some functions of packaging; | | | | of laws for themselves. |
| - Containment of product | | | | On the UK Food Standards Agency website there |
| - Protection of product (physically and hygienically) | | | | are notes on 'Guidance on the Plastic Materials and |
| - Product control- e.g. tamper evident opening | | | | Articles in Contact with Food (England) Regulations |
| - Product information | | | | 2009, available for associated businesses to read. |
| - Marketing and branding of product/retailer | | | | It also provides information on which legal body |
| - Provides controlled sized portions/amounts of | | | | represents particular materials, so you know who |
| product | | | | you are legally required to obey. |
| As our global awareness of the environment | | | | In 2004 a new European Regulation was |
| increases, our priorities and requirements of what | | | | introduced regarding food contact materials, and |
| packaging should be changes. A now commonly | | | | the UK Food Standards Agency was responsible |
| used phrase - 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle' is of | | | | for representing our countries interests. Their |
| great importance where packaging is concerned. | | | | primary goal was ensuring UK citizens are still kept |
| Sustainable packaging is an area in which experts | | | | safe from risk of harmful chemicals in food |
| are particularly keen to develop. | | | | contact materials when on holiday in Europe. This |
| Packaging has become more than just a means | | | | is also available to read on their website. |
| of easily transporting or containing products and is | | | | The development, research, and governance of |
| currently categorised into packaging types; | | | | food packaging both for supermarket food and |
| - Primary - usually in direct contact with product | | | | for home-prepared food is vital not only for our |
| e.g. brown kraft paper bags | | | | convenience, but also for our safety. The next |
| - Secondary- contains primary packaging and | | | | time you put your sandwiches into 'food safe |
| product, e.g. a multi-pack of crisp packets | | | | polythene bags' or your children come home with |
| - Tertiary- involves warehouse storage and | | | | sweets in' candy stripe paper bags' think how |
| transport of bulk products, e.g. pallets | | | | many experts have made it safe enough for us |
| Within these types of packaging are more | | | | all to use. |