Helping Corn-Based Plastics Take More Heat

Your favorite catsup or fruit juice might be "hot-filled" at the food-processing plant—that is, poured into its waiting container while the catsup or juice is still hot from pasteurization. Current containers made from corn-based plastics literally can't take the heat of hot-filling, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) chemist William J. Orts.

Request for data on perfluoroalkylated substances in food

Member States, research institution, academia and any other stakeholders are invited to submit data on the presence of PFAS in food. Data obtained in previous years are also welcome.Fo more details on how to submit the data on PFAS please follow the link DATEX How to submit data where under the section Reporting formats you can find the following files:

Innovations in Coating Laminating and Vacuum Web Coating

The Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators (AIMCAL) will host its annual Fall Technical Conference and 24th International Conference on Vacuum Web Coating, October 17-20, 2010, at the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

The dual-track schedule devoted to Coating/Laminating and Vacuum Web Coating opens and closes with joint sessions on developments in nanotechnology, conductive films, photovoltaic technology, sustainability, markets, and business practices.

EFSA reviews more than 800 studies on BPA, to finalise opinion in September

Scientists on the European Food Safety Authority's CEF Panel have been working on a comprehensive opinion on bisphenol A (BPA) which includes an evaluation of the study investigating the neurodevelopmental toxicity of BPA in rats (Stump 2009), advice on the risk assessment of BPA carried out by the Danish DTU Food Institute, a comprehensive literature review on BPA toxicity, and overall conclusions.

Drinks cans: digital printing adds fizz to the market

Ball Packaging Europe has brought digital printing for beverage cans to market maturity. At its Hassloch plant in Germany, Ball can now produce beverage cans printed either the conventional way or with photorealistic custom designs. A first vanguard of customers is already using the new technology to market small special-edition production runs.

Sustainability and innovations in plastics packaging

Thin wall plastics packaging includes tubs, cups, jars, trays and ready meal dishes. It is used to preserve and protect a wide variety of items including yoghurt, margarine, ice cream, bakery goods, fruit and vegetables, pre-prepared meals, soup, and now also long-term packaging of items including fish. AMI is organising the 5th international conference on Thin Wall Packaging from 7-9 December 2010 at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany. Trends will be reviewed by the expert market consultant, Jon Nash.

Bite gets its teeth into nanotechnology

The second issue of Bite, the quarterly magazine launched by FSA to tackle challenging food-related topics, has been published and is available on-line.

The theme of the issue is nanotechnology.