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The Food Date Labeling Act, a bipartisan, bicameral bill, has been reintroduced in Congress to standardize and clarify food date labels to prevent food from being wasted. 

Innovative packaging technologies that contribute to food safety include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial packaging, controlled-release packaging, nanotechnology, and biosensors. These technologies can aid in the control of not only spoilage microorganisms, which make the food product undesirable (but not necessarily unsafe), but also pathogenic organisms, which can cause illness and even death in humans. In the current economy, it may be difficult to make the decision to transition from a traditional packaging solution to an alternative; however, when product food safety is jeopardized and consumers are at potential risk, the food industry must do everything it can to prevent adverse scenarios.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has determined the food safety of plastic polyethylene terephthalate (PET) when produced by a recycling process called Poly Recycling for use in food contact materials.

BASF SE and StePac Ltd. have joined forces to create the next generation of sustainable packaging specifically for the fresh produce sector, using chemically recycled plastics.

A high level of commitment and resources is needed in the pursuit of clean packaging. This article covers the background of the issue, addresses why action is needed now, and uses per-and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and phthalates as examples of the complexities. It also covers recommendations for brands and packaging converters.

After conducting a study on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) oversight of substances used in food contact materials, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) recommended that FDA request certain authorities from Congress in order to adequately review the safety of such substances.

As the focus on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) intensifies, multiple states and some U.S. federal agencies are implementing or considering implementation of restrictions or bans on the products use in food contact articles. This article focuses on the restrictions and bans in the U.S. that impact the use of PFAS in food packaging, and includes a discussion of the challenges manufacturers face due to inconsistent science and policy decision related to the use of these chemicals in food packaging.

Recyclable. Recycled content. Compostable. Made from bio-materials. Which of these makes for the safest, most sustainable package? These can be misleading questions, especially when it comes to food packaging. Many sustainable packaging goals and trends can affect food safety work. Also, the concept of food safety as the primary element in sustainable packaging decisions must logically flow through an organization from the top down, through the key relevant vertical groups.

Antares Vision Group (AVG) recently introduced a new series of inspection technology that incorporates multiple inspection controls into single machines.

Clean labeling is on the rise. Food producers must consider the packaging techniques and technologies that are used during manufacturing in order to label products as "clean."