Antimicrobial additive extends shelf life of food in foam packaging

A Turkish manufacturer of polystyrene foam trays has added an antimicrobial additive into its packaging in order to prolong the shelf life of the contents and prevent bacterial contamination.

Erze Ambalaj, which produces 15 million food trays per day from its two locations in Turkey, worked alongside Rotterdam-based manufacturer of antimicrobial solutions for the plastics industry, Parx Plastics, in order to develop an economical solution for its entire product portfolio.

The technology, derived from bio-mimicry and free from biocides, is said to be “significantly reducing” the growth of Salmonella, Listeria, E.Coli and Staphylococcus Aureus on the packaging.

The results of the combined efforts are an antibacterial performance, measured according to ISO 22196 by the independent University of Ferrara in Italy, of 92.5 percent against Listeria, 96 percent against Salmonella and up to 96.5 percent against Staphylococcus Aureus.

This means, says Parx, that the improved Erze food packaging has 93-97 percent less bacteria on the surface of the material after 24 hours compared to normal packaging of the same kind.

By reducing the presence of bacteria after the manufacturing of the packaging material, during transport, when the food is packaged and during the shelf life period of the product, Parx says the ultimate conditions are created to prevent contamination and the best possible shelf life for the product.