The Importance of Packaging in Food Safety

The Importance of Packaging in Food Safety Prof. Dr. Nevzat Artık, member of the Scientific Board of Turkey Food Manufacturers' Employers' Association (TÜGİS), has highlighted the importance of packaging in food safety. Explaining the role of packaging in sustainable food consumption, Artık stated, "Just as a baby is protected from external influences through swaddling, packaging is an indispensable criterion for food safety in terms of food preservation techniques." Prof. Dr. Nevzat Artık, member of the Scientific Board of Turkey Food Manufacturers' Employers' Association (TÜGİS), has clarified all misinformation that has appeared to date regarding packaged food. Describing packaging as a material that protects the food and product placed within it, ensures it reaches consumers in the cleanest and safest conditions, and facilitates transportation and storage, TÜGİS Scientific Board member Prof. Dr. Nevzat Artık made the following comments on the subject: "Just as a baby is protected from external influences through swaddling, packaging is an indispensable criterion for food safety in terms of food preservation techniques. In its simplest form, packaging refers to wrappings and coatings made of metal, paper, cardboard, glass, tin, plastic and wood that facilitate the marketing process of the product placed within it and provide consumers with information about the product inside. Accordingly, the packaging of food is an important and indispensable practice that eliminates various factors that pose hazards, thus ensuring that food reaches the consumer's table with all its properties intact." [caption id="attachment_155993" align="aligncenter"] Prof. Dr. Nevzat Artık, TÜGİS Scientific Board member[/caption]

"Packaging communicates with the consumer"

Noting that consumers first look at packaging when entering a store, Artık said, "Packaging is initially paramount in reflecting the manufacturer's brand quality. Moreover, consumers today prefer products to be safe and manufactured under hygienic conditions more than in previous years. Packaging is an important parameter in this preference. Additionally, to protect product and consumer safety, it is necessary to convey information about the product to consumers completely and accurately. Having this information on the food label is a legal requirement," he stated. Noting that packaging today serves as a communication tool and extension of lifestyle in addition to its traditional food protection function, Artık said, "In this context, it communicates with the consumer, draws attention and creates awareness. At the same time, it acts as a silent sales representative, increases product visibility, and provides utility for use after purchase. From this perspective, packaging plays an important role in consumer purchasing habits."

"Food is packaged within standards"

Emphasizing the need to avoid kitchen items ordered from East Asia and products from unknown manufacturers, or if ordered, to research why they are produced, Artık said, "The use of PVC, a type of plastic, is not used in food packaging and container production in most developed countries of the world. In this regard, it is beneficial to avoid kitchen items ordered from East Asia and products from unknown manufacturers, or if ordered, to investigate why they are produced. Similarly, foam cups, like plastic cups seen in certain chain restaurants and markets as disposable cup varieties, are also made from plastic. Additionally, in the cup variety known as paper cups, the inner surface is laminated by coating it with plastic. These types of packaging are inspected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry under Law No. 5996 in accordance with the regulation on materials and articles in contact with food. The type and classification of plastic used here comes into play. All plastic packaging is produced using PS, PP or PET. There is a classification numbering system from 1 to 7 established within standards for food packaging. These numbers indicate what is used. For example, the number 1 mark identifies PET. The term "PET Bottle" that has become established in our language comes from this and is a suitable packaging type for single use. To give another example, the number 4 mark, LDPE, can be safely used in food consumption. It can be put in a dishwasher or microwave," he stated.

"Eating unpackaged food is not proper nutrition"

Reminding what needs to be considered regarding whether the naturalness of packaged food is compromised, Artık continued: "The naturalness of food is not compromised by food processing and subsequent packaging. During food processing, unsuitable parts such as pulp, waste, leaves, husks and bran are removed. To explain this with an example, to make a can or canned dish from peas, washing must first be done, then husk removal and preparation must be done as mandatory steps. No one would consume peas with husks or pea conserve. Removing the husk does not compromise naturalness; it is preparing safe food suitable for consumers. Packaged food preserves food from times when food is scarce to times when it is not available. For example, in our country, sour cherry is fresh in June and July. However, it is possible to find packaged sour cherry as canned or frozen year-round thanks to packaged food production." Noting that food preservation techniques are the same worldwide, Artık said, "The definition of natural and unpackaged food nutrition is not correct. This comes up in situations where sufficient and accurate information on food matters is lacking. Agriculture, food and nutrition are each important scientific disciplines and should be based on scientific data. The views of those who advocate eating only natural and unpackaged food have no clear real-life correspondence," he said.