A new packaging solution from Toppan Printing seeks to address issues of food safety and food loss by reducing discoloration, loss of flavour, and quality deterioration during frozen distribution and storage.
Toppan’s solution, which is available in a mono-material structure, uses GL BARRIER, a barrier film developed by leveraging original vapor-deposition and coating technologies, to reduce oxidation and therefore, according to the company, prevent discoloration, loss of flavour, and changes in food texture for a longer period than is possible with conventional packaging.
Toppan reports that these features reduce food loss and waste and facilitate expansion of distribution, by preserving food quality in regions without suitable infrastructure for frozen distribution.
The solution reportedly also allows some food products conventionally subject to ultra-low-temperature frozen storage at -50°C or lower (F4) to be stored at higher temperatures of -18°C. Toppan says that this change cuts storage costs by around 60%, while also helping to lower CO2 emissions associated with power consumption for freezing.
“This new packaging has the potential to bring economic and environmental benefits for the food industry and wider society by maintaining food quality for longer,” said Masa Tatewaki, executive officer of global business in Toppan’s Living & Environment Division.
“We will be expanding sales to food manufacturers, distributors, and wholesalers of frozen foods and will take advantage of the technology to develop more eco-friendly products that enhance freshness retention to contribute to a safer and more sustainable society.”
