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Abstract Natural fibres are abundant, renewable, and biodegradable, which has inspired numerous academics worldwide to investigate their possible applications in various industrial fields. The food packaging sector is seeking bio-based and biodegradable substitutes to increase sustainability. In this study, new composites were prepared from natural rubber (NR) and sugarcane bagasse fibres (SCB) with different concentrations of SCB (0, 2.5, 5, 10 &20 phr). The effect of SCB on the properties of natural rubber was studied before and after the alkaline treatment of the fibres. The biocomposites are characterized using Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and dielectric measurements in addition to rheological and mechanical analysis. The overall migration test for biocomposites loaded with 20phr SCB was performed to assess the biocomposite’s safety as food contact materials. The study’s results indicated that, adding SCB improved the conductivity, tensile strength, and elongation at break of natural rubber. Alkaline treatment strengthened the bonding between the filler and matrix and improved biocomposites’ thermal dielectric and mechanical properties. The overall migration test indicated that the alkaline treatment increased the overall migration to simulants. Accordingly, alkaline-treated NR-SCB biocomposites are effective eco-friendly food packaging candidates for certain types of food such as aqueous non-acidic products.

As a result of the European Single Use Plastic Directive and as part of the transition to a circular economy, plastic food contact materials (FCMs) are being replaced, often by renewable plant-based materials. This research aimed to identify which chemical substances are present in plant-based materials. In 2022 a total of 28 samples of the latter materials from the Dutch market were analysed for 313 active substances from plant protection products, 47 per- and polyfluoralkyl substances (PFASs) and 27 heavy metals and other elements. Ten samples contained plant protection products that are not authorised in the EU. Most materials contained PFASs at trace or even high levels. Three out of four investigated sugar cane materials contained 6:2 fluorotelomer alcohol at levels up to 1.7 mg/kg. High contents of aluminium, manganese, iron, zinc, and barium were found. Other heavy metals, such as arsenic, lead and mercury were found in relatively low contents. A broad GC-MS screening was performed, which revealed the presence of plant extractable, plasticisers, antioxidants and hydrocarbons, which were not all authorised for FCMs, but may be present as non-intentionally added substances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The food industry is a dynamic component of the European economy. A wide variety of products and small batch are demanded in a market that is accustomed to frequenting changes in food packaging formats. Cheaper and lighter 3D-printed tools are replacing expensive metallic ones, producing previously impossible product geometries and processing fish and meat products more quickly and in more reliable ways. In addition to food contact, these printed parts are often required to have hydrophobic surfaces that facilitate cleaning and have low adhesion both foodstuffs and ice. In this study, the surface wettability of PolyEthylene Terephthalate Glycol (PETG) printed parts via fused filament fabrication is assessed. Specifically, several printing parameters (layer height, extrusion temperature, printing speed, acceleration, and flow) and their influence on the hydrophobicity of 3D printed parts with vertical orientation are analyzed. The experimental results indicated that the parameter with the strongest influence on the wettability of the XZ parts was flow: low-flow values generated ultra-hydrophobic surfaces, with contact angles higher than 120°. Acceleration had no influence at low flow values; however, for high flow values, low acceleration rates yielded higher contact angles. In addition, it was experimentally proven that the 3D-printed PETG parts with high-contact angle surfaces showed lower adhesion to ice than those with low contact-angle surfaces. The technology was applied to a case study of a 3D-printed hopper for the ice duct of an ice-cube machine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper provides an overview of the fundamental aspects pertaining an effective circular packaging. The main challenges of food packaging systems to comply with the principles of circular economy are addressed. A perspective of the technical issues that drive packaging developments is given, and the main barriers and limiting factors for packaging waste reduction, reusing, and recycling are discussed, particularly as applied to plastic packaging. The state-of-art of recycling plastics for food contact is presented, as well as the gaps for safety assurance. The relevance of consumer and the impact on the whole chain is discussed under the framework of citizens motivation, ability, and opportunity to engage the different measures. Finally, the main measures under the scope of the packaging and waste regulation, and foreseen amendments, and of the plastics recycling directive are briefly presented.

The effect of repeated contact with food simulants on the properties and functionality of zinc oxide (ZnO) in nanocomposite films was investigated to examine possible safety hazards from the point of view of long-term use as food packaging. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) embedded with 5 wt% nano-ZnO was immersed in distilled water, 50% ethanol, 4% acetic acid, and n-heptane. The cycle of immersion–rinse–dry was repeated up to 40 times for same sample under constant condition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and UV–Vis spectroscopy analyses were performed to identify the changes in the chemical and functional properties of the nanocomposite film. Acetic acid had the greatest impact on the LDPE-ZnO nanocomposite films, while other food simulants caused little change. A new carboxylate bond was formed by the reaction of ZnO with acetic acid, as evidenced by the FTIR spectra. In addition, XRD and XAS confirmed the phase changes of nano-ZnO into zinc salts such as zinc hydroxy acetate or zinc acetate dihydrate. Furthermore, the light barrier property of the nanocomposite film drastically decreased, owing to the change in the bandgap of ZnO and film morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Government agencies around the world regulate food contact materials or articles. Understanding these regulations and keeping up with the new regulations are essential for maintaining market access for food contact products. My intent is to provide global plastics food contact regulation developments and updates relevant to plastic film and sheet for food packaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The release of chromium, nickel, and manganese from knives stainless steel produced in Italy and People's Republic of China was investigated with the aim to check their quality and compliance with Italian Ministerial Decree 21.03.73, which is the most detailed text for the hygiene regulation of packaging, containers, and tools intended for food contact. Temperature effect on metal release is investigated in 18 sets of knives. Tests are performed by simulating discontinuous contact using a 3% glacial acetic acid solution in distilled water at 50°C and 100°C. Chromium, nickel, and manganese quantification is performed by total reflection X-Ray fluorescence. Chemical composition highlights low sulphur content, and most of them belong to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) 420 type A stainless steel group. Tests performed at 100°C revealed higher concentration of released metals. Only three knives tested at 100°C exceed the limit of 100 µg L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of BHM Berg- und Hüttenmännische Monatshefte is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, four commercial non-stick coatings (two fluoropolymer and two ceramic) were characterized by micrography, Raman spectroscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). A pancake batter was then baked on coated aluminum substrates. In a first test, 90 consecutive baking cycles were performed on each coated specimen. In a second test, the coatings were abraded by sanding, followed by 30 baking cycles. In both cases, take-off pressure was evaluated to extract the pancake model, as well as water sliding angle, surface roughness and surface damage. The results have shown that perfluoroalkoxyalkane (PFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) were the most effective in terms of pull-off pressure (<3 kPa) versus ceramic siloxane coatings with values between 15 and 34 kPa after 90 firings. In the different experimental stages, a positive correlation between wettability and detachment force was observed, especially for fluoropolymer coatings. However, surface roughness did not strong correlate with the pull-off force, low values did not correlate with low values of pull-off force and vice versa. This paper proposes an objective and simple coating evaluation procedure for industrial environments. Although ceramic sol-gel coatings show potential, there is a need to improve their non-stick capability to bring them on par with traditional solutions. [Display omitted] • Proposed pancake batter allowed to compare the non-stick capability of the coatings, with release forces from 2 to 20 kPa. • Wettability is a good indicator of the anti-sticking ability of fluoropolymer coatings but is inadequate for sol-gel. • PFA and PTFE coatings outperformed sol-gel ceramic coatings (matrix and nano) with 7 to 14 times lower release forces. • Evaluation procedure was objective and versatile, showing a cost-effective solution to evaluate non-stick coatings. • Sol-gel ceramic coatings are a promising alternative but require improving abrasion resistance and non-stick capability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plasticisers are commonly used to increase the flexibility of a wide variety of food contact materials including the plastic tubing, liners, and gaskets used in the dairy industry. In recent years, some classes of plasticisers have come under scrutiny due to the potential for transfer of these compounds into the milk itself, which can then be further processed into foods such as powdered milks and cheeses, infant formula, and baked goods. One such set of plasticisers that is being evaluated for frequency of use, potential routes of exposure, and risk to consumers is ortho-phthalates, hereafter referred to as phthalates. In order to better understand the actual use of phthalate versus non-phthalate plasticised tubing, a robust, rapid, and portable analytical method is necessary for on-site screening. Laboratory Raman and near-infrared spectrometers have been used extensively for polymer and additive evaluation, and advances in portable/hand-held technology could lead to feasible plasticiser evaluation in the field. This research overviews efforts to evaluate six portable spectroscopy devices for their ability to identify phthalate versus non-phthalate plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC) dairy tubing, liners, and gaskets. The most successful method, a hand-held Raman spectrometer along with a plasticiser spectral library or a chemometric model, can rapidly and accurately identify phthalate containing PVC and has the potential to be employed as a future field screening technique for regulators and the dairy industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

European and national environmental protection policies have programmed the forthcoming end of single-use plastics, including food packaging. Because plastic materials account for 50% of plastic waste, closed-loop recycling seems imperative. Still, plastics other than PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) are not widely recycled for food contact due to safety concerns. Among them, postconsumer polyolefins are heavily formulated, degraded, and contaminated by the previously contacting product. Using recycled materials behind a functional barrier (FB) could resolve the issue under specific provisions, but neither the European regulation nor the US FDA offer guidance concerning functional barriers evaluation and use. Mathematical modeling is the only viable method recognized by European and American agencies to evaluate recycled material under usage conditions. This study numerically explores the possibility of combining two effects: decontamination of the recycled material and a functional barrier to allow safe use of the recycled material.

The effect of repeated contact with food simulants on the properties and functionality of zinc oxide (ZnO) in nanocomposite films was investigated to examine possible safety hazards from the point of view of long-term use as food packaging. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) embedded with 5 wt% nano-ZnO was immersed in distilled water, 50% ethanol, 4% acetic acid, and n-heptane. The cycle of immersion–rinse–dry was repeated up to 40 times for same sample under constant condition. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and UV–Vis spectroscopy analyses were performed to identify the changes in the chemical and functional properties of the nanocomposite film. Acetic acid had the greatest impact on the LDPE-ZnO nanocomposite films, while other food simulants caused little change. A new carboxylate bond was formed by the reaction of ZnO with acetic acid, as evidenced by the FTIR spectra. In addition, XRD and XAS confirmed the phase changes of nano-ZnO into zinc salts such as zinc hydroxy acetate or zinc acetate dihydrate. Furthermore, the light barrier property of the nanocomposite film drastically decreased, owing to the change in the bandgap of ZnO and film morphology.

Copyright of China Plastics / Zhongguo Suliao is the property of Journal Office of CHINA PLASTICS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Plastics are complex chemical mixtures of polymers and various intentionally and nonintentionally added substances. Despite the well-established links between certain plastic chemicals (bisphenols and phthalates) and adverse health effects, the composition and toxicity of real-world mixtures of plastic chemicals are not well understood. To assess both, we analyzed the chemicals from 36 plastic food contact articles from five countries using nontarget high-resolution mass spectrometry and reporter-gene assays for four nuclear receptors that represent key components of the endocrine and metabolic system. We found that chemicals activating the pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator receptor γ (PPARγ), estrogen receptor α (ERα), and inhibiting the androgen receptor (AR) are prevalent in plastic packaging. We detected up to 9936 chemical features in a single product and found that each product had a rather unique chemical fingerprint. To tackle this chemical complexity, we used stepwise partial least-squares regressions and prioritized and tentatively identified the chemical features associated with receptor activity. Our findings demonstrate that most plastic food packaging contains endocrine- and metabolism-disrupting chemicals. Since samples with fewer chemical features induce less toxicity, chemical simplification is key to producing safer plastic packaging.

The Food Safety Modernization Act, specifically the Produce Safety Rule, requires growers to clean and sanitize food contact surfaces to protect against produce contamination. An ATP monitoring device is a potential sanitation tool to monitor the efficacy of an on-farm cleaning and sanitation program that could help growers meet regulatory expectations mandated by the Produce Safety Rule. This ATP monitoring device uses bioluminescence to detect all ATP (found in bacteria and produce matter cells) from a swabbed surface. Because little work has been done to test the efficacy of these tools under postharvest conditions, the present study evaluated ATP measurement for postharvest food contact surface cleanliness evaluation. Concentrations of leafy greens (spinach, romaine, and red cabbage, with or without Listeria innocua) were used as organic matter applied to stainless steel, high-density polyethylene plastic, and bamboo wood coupons to represent postharvest food contact surfaces. The ATP levels on the coupons were then measured by using swabs and an ATP monitoring device. Results showed that the concentration of L. innocua and leafy greens on a food contact surface had a highly significant effect on the ATP monitoring device reading (P < 0.0001). The ATP monitoring device had a lower limit of detection for L. innocua at 4.5 log CFU per coupon. The type of leafy green on a food contact surface did not affect the ATP reading (P=0.88). Leafy greens with added L. innocua had a higher ATP reading when compared with saline and L. innocua, demonstrating the presence of leafy green matter contributes to ATP reading when combined with L. innocua. The different food contact surfaces had different ATP response readings (P = 0.03), resulting in no detectable levels of bacteria and/or leafy green material from bamboo wood surfaces (P = 0.16). On the basis of our results, the ATP measurement is an appropriate tool to measure produce or bacterial contamination on stainless steel or high-density polyethylene plastic surfaces; however, it is not recommended for wood surfaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Packaging may represent a source of food contamination, as different organic compounds and degradation compounds may migrate from packaging to foodstuff. For fatty foods, rectified olive oil is the common simulant, which implies time-consuming and laborious liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) procedures to isolate the contaminant(s) from the oil. Here we propose a Multisyringe Flow Injection Analysis manifold to automate this sample treatment, using the monomer 4,4´-dihydroxybiphenyl as the contaminant. The LLE procedure, using water as extractant, was fully automated. After the on-line LLE, the resulting extract was pumped through a fluorescence detector, inside which a flow-cell filled with C18 silica gel solid support was placed. The analyte was pre-concentrated on the solid support (in which the analytical signal was directly recorded), so improving the sensitivity of the system. Under optimum conditions, the method detection limit is 0.05 mg kg−1, well within the specific migration limit of 6 mg kg−1. The method developed was compared with the standard CEN test method (off-line LLE and HPLC determination) observing savings in sample and reagents of 90% and a 7-fold increase in sample throughput. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm formation on food-contact surfaces is a matter of major concern causing food safety and spoilage issues to this sector. The aim of this study was to assess the durability of the anti-biofilm capacity of a plasma-polymerized coating composed of a base coating of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and a functional coating of acrylic acid (AcAc). Coated and uncoated AISI 316 stainless steel (SS) plates were subjected to five sanitization cycles with sodium hypochlorite (0.05%) and peracetic acid (0.5%). The effectiveness of the coating for the inhibition of multi-strain Listeria monocytogenes biofilm formation was confirmed using a three-strain cocktail, which was grown on the SS plates at 12 °C for 6 days. Compared to the uncoated SS, relative biofilm productions of 14.6% on the non-sanitized coating, 27.9% on the coating after sanitization with sodium hypochlorite, and 82.3% on the coating after sanitization with peracetic acid were obtained. Morphological and physicochemical characterization of the coatings suggested that the greater anti-biofilm effectiveness after sanitization with sodium hypochlorite was due to the high pH of this solution, which caused a deprotonation of the carboxylic acid groups of the functional coating. This fact conferred it a strong hydrophilicity and negatively charged its surface, which was favorable for preventing bacterial attachment and biofilm formation.

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The set-off migration from printing inks can cause alterations in the safety and acceptability of food. Therefore, its control in the food industry is of special importance. The aim of this study was the determination of the migration of compounds coming from different types of cardboard-cups used in coffee vending machines. The volatile compounds present in cardboard-cups were studied and specific migration studies were carried out by solid phase microextraction with headspace coupled to gas chromatography (HS-SPME-GC-MS). The migration of compounds from the cardboard-cups manufacturing material, plastic coating (LDPE) and printing inks were identified and quantified. Those migrants listed in the Regulation No. 10/2011 presented values lower than the specific migration limit (SML), although a series of non-listed and non-authorized compounds were identified. From the results obtained the risk assessment of the vending cups from two different companies has been done. Image 1 • HS-SPME-GC-MS analysis of migrants from cardboard-cups has been optimized. • Migration tests with simulant C (20% EtOH) and D1 (50% EtOH) were carried out. • The use of printed cardboard-cups with the selected beverages are appropriate. • Migrants from the cups ink, pulp wood and LDPE coating were identified and quantified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports on the preparation and investigation of the properties of composites based on acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) aimed for production of sealants in water supply networks carrying hot and cold potable water. The studies involve 12 NBR-based composites. A conventional, semi-efficient and efficient sulphur-vulcanization system is used for four of the composites. A vulcanizing agent, dicumyl peroxide, was used in the other eight composites. The results obtained show that the type of the vulcanization system used has a significant impact both on the vulcanization characteristics of the investigated rubber compounds and on the mechanical properties of their vulcanizates. The comparison of the results obtained and the requirements of standard EN 681-1:1996 referring to the mechanical properties of the elastomer composites used for production of sealants for pipes carrying hot and cold potable water reveal that composition P-10 is the most suitable for the purpose. The microbiological characteristics of the water in contact with the composites indicate that no bacterial growth occurs in the samples tested as a result of this contact. The latter does not lead to a change of the organoleptic parameters as well. Higher values of heavy metals, nitrates or nitrites are not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three plastic nanocomposites containing the nanomaterials silver, titanium nitride, and laponite were investigated on the potential to release nanoparticulates under stress conditions into food simulants. Nanocomposites were exposed to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress followed by mechanical abrasion of their surface. Particle sensitive asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) as well as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection was used to detect and quantify the respective nanoparticulates. The results of this study demonstrate that even under dynamic stress conditions nanoparticulates are not released from the nanocomposites into food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plastic and rubber based composites containing carbon black (CB) were investigated for the potential to release CB nano-particulates under stress conditions into food simulants. Nanocomposites were exposed to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress, followed by mechanical abrasion of their surface. Particle sensitive asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection was used to detect and quantify CB nano-particulates. This study demonstrates that, even under dynamic stress conditions, CB nano-particulates are not released from the plastic or rubber compounds into food. This study intends also to propose a general nano-release stress test protocol for plastic materials coming into contact with foodstuff. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Food Safety & Quality is the property of Journal of Food Safety & Quality Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Three plastic nanocomposites containing the nanomaterials silver, titanium nitride, and laponite were investigated on the potential to release nanoparticulates under stress conditions into food simulants. Nanocomposites were exposed to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress followed by mechanical abrasion of their surface. Particle sensitive asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS) as well as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection was used to detect and quantify the respective nanoparticulates. The results of this study demonstrate that even under dynamic stress conditions nanoparticulates are not released from the nanocomposites into food.

Plastic and rubber based composites containing carbon black (CB) were investigated for the potential to release CB nano-particulates under stress conditions into food simulants. Nanocomposites were exposed to thermal, chemical, and mechanical stress, followed by mechanical abrasion of their surface. Particle sensitive asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) with multi angle laser light scattering (MALLS) detection was used to detect and quantify CB nano-particulates. This study demonstrates that, even under dynamic stress conditions, CB nano-particulates are not released from the plastic or rubber compounds into food. This study intends also to propose a general nano-release stress test protocol for plastic materials coming into contact with foodstuff.