It is the International Scientific Review of the Ethical Packaging Charter Foundation. A bimonthly publication in which 7 multidisciplinary articles are presented, relating to packaging, selected by several magazines of the digital science world.
In this Number:
Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substance Detection in Brewed Capsule Coffee
As food packaging materials are in direct contact with the food we eat and cook under heat or pressure, consumers are apprehensive of their adverse effects on the food products. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are often used in food packaging because of their hydrophobic properties; however, some PFASs are carcinogens, thus prompting further studies on their effects. In this study, a pretreatment method of 31 PFASs in coffee was established using the QuEChERS extraction method and analyzed by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. We brewed 32 types of capsule coffee distributed in Korea, analyzed them for PFASs, and evaluated their safety. The results show that perfluorooctanoic acid and 8:2 fluorotelomer sulfonate levels are higher in machine-brewed capsule coffee than in capsule coffees brewed manually through a paper filter. However, the hazard quotient and excess cancer risk for all coffee samples are lower than the World Health Organization standards, and therefore, these samples are considered safe. The results of this study may aid in expanding the existing literature on PFAS detection in relation to human health.
https://www.mdpi.com/2304-8158/14/6/980
Nanoarchitectonics of Sustainable Food Packaging: Materials, Methods, and Environmental Factors
Nanoarchitectonics influences the properties of objects at micro- and even macro-scales, aiming to develop better structures for protection of product. Although its applications were analyzed in different areas, nanoarchitectonics of food packaging—the focus of this review—has not been discussed, to the best of our knowledge. The (A) structural and (B) functional hierarchy of food packaging is discussed here for the enhancement of protection, extending shelf-life, and preserving the nutritional quality of diverse products including meat, fish, dairy, fruits, vegetables, gelled items, and beverages. Interestingly, the structure and design of packaging for these diverse products often possess similar principles and methods including active packaging, gas permeation control, sensor incorporation, UV/pulsed light processing, and thermal/plasma treatment. Here, nanoarchitechtonics serves as the unifying component, enabling protection against oxidation, light, microbial contamination, temperature, and mechanical actions. Finally, materials are an essential consideration in food packaging, particularly beyond commonly used polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastics, with emphasis on biodegradable (polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polycaprolactone (PCL), and polybutylene adipate co-terephthalate (PBAT)) as well as green even edible (bio)-materials: polysaccharides (starch, cellulose, pectin, gum, zein, alginate, agar, galactan, ulvan, galactomannan, laccase, chitin, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, etc.). Nanoarchitechnotics design of these materials eventually determines the level of food protection as well as the sustainability of the processes. Marketing, safety, sustainability, and ethics are also discussed in the context of industrial viability and consumer satisfaction.
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/18/5/1167
Cross-Analytical Strategies to Tackle “Medicines in Disguise” Presented as Food Supplements, a New Threat for Human Health
Plant-based food supplements (FS) of doubtful traceability have now emerged as a new threat to human health. Food supplements adulterated with pharmaceutical ingredients are considered “medicines in disguise” by regulatory authorities, which is a sub-category of falsified medicines. In the context of illegal manufacture and trade, as well as in the absence of an official phyto- and/or pharmacovigilance system, emergency departments and poison control centers constitute a early warning system for detecting ingested suspect FS. In the present investigation, we set up efficient workflows for the systematic characterization of adulterated plant-based FS in the context of an original local early warning alert system (i.e., FalsiMedTrack) involving an emergency department, a poison center, and academic analytical chemistry laboratories. Fit-for-purpose cross-analytical methods were employed, including sophisticated methods such as liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray powder diffraction, as well as the most accessible and affordable HPLC method with UV/DAD detection. The strategy was applied successfully to typical cases of suspect plant-based health products, i.e., sample incriminated in patients experiencing side effects and herbal products currently commercialized for their “amazing health benefits”. The samples contained active pharmaceutical ingredients, including diclofenac, piroxicam, dexamethasone 21-acetate, and sibutramine. We provided evidence of “medicines in disguise” presented as food supplements, which raises concerns about their quality and safety.
https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/30/6/1372
The Development of Thermoresponsive Multifunctional Chitosan Films Suitable for Food Packaging
We developed bio-based chitosan–gelatin films, CHG-LO films, incorporating lavender essential oil (15–26 wt% LO) and oleic acid (33–47 wt% OA) with smooth surfaces and thicknesses of 0.42–0.99 mm. For their manufacture, the nanoemulsions were prepared to possess uniform dispersion and colloidal stability with average droplet sizes of 475–854 nm, polydispersity indices (PDI) of 0.095–0.235, and zeta potentials of 23.7–56.9 mV at 40 °C, where OA served as surfactant and phase change material. The opacities of the CHG-LO films increased by 1.8 to 5.5 times compared to the control group, and their UV-visible light-blocking properties improved. These films demonstrated cyclic thermal buffering character, with heat storage capacities ranging from 14.0 to 36.0 J·g−1 between −26 °C and 20 °C compatible with that of OA. Additionally, they showed reduced water vapor transmission rates and swelling degrees in acidic and neutral environments. The total phenolic contents of the CHG-LO films increased 1.5–4.2 times compared to the control associated with the presence of LO phenolic groups in the structure. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1 picrylhydrazyl) and ABTS (2,2′–azino–bis(3–ethylbenzothiazoline–6–sulphonic acid)) scavenging activity test results show that the antioxidant properties of these films improved with increasing LO-OA content up to 2.2 and 1.3 times the control, respectively, and also showed antimicrobial properties. The multifunctional CHG-LO films of this study are promising candidates for temperature-sensitive active packaging in food as well as in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4176/6/1/17
Recent Advances in the Fabrication of Intelligent Packaging for Food Preservation: A Review
The advancement of intelligent packaging technologies has emerged as a pivotal innovation in the food industry, significantly enhancing food safety and preservation. This review explores the latest developments in the fabrication of intelligent packaging, with a focus on applications in food preservation. Intelligent packaging systems, which include sensors, indicators, and RFID technologies, offer the real-time monitoring of food quality and safety by detecting changes in environmental conditions and microbial activity. Innovations in nanotechnology, bio-based materials, and smart polymers have led to the development of eco-friendly and highly responsive packaging solutions. This review underscores the role of active and intelligent packaging components—such as oxygen scavengers, freshness indicators, and antimicrobial agents in extending shelf life and ensuring product integrity. Moreover, it highlights the transformative potential of intelligent packaging in food preservation through the examination of recent case studies. Finally, this review provides a comprehensive overview of current trends, challenges, and potential future directions in this rapidly evolving field.
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/13/2/539
A Critical Review of Consumer Perception and Environmental Impacts of Bioplastics in Sustainable Food Packaging
As awareness of environmental issues deepens and the demand for sustainability grows among societies, businesses, and consumers, minimizing the environmental impact of food packaging has become increasingly important. Bioplastics offer a promising solution due to their use of renewable resources (such as plants), their biodegradability, and their ability to retain the protective properties of traditional plastics. This review discusses recent advancements and trends in sustainable food packaging, emphasizing the role of bioplastics. Several typical types of bioplastics are introduced, along with an analysis of their advantages and limitations. Furthermore, this study investigates consumers’ attitudes toward bioplastic food packaging, emphasizing their perceptions of its sustainability and practical use. The findings reveal that consumers generally hold a positive attitude toward bioplastics, particularly appreciating their biodegradable and compostable properties. However, their expectations are often overly high, as they believe bioplastics must meet two key criteria: being made from renewable raw materials and being fully biodegradable or compostable. Additionally, most consumers lack the knowledge or ability to dispose of bioplastic waste properly. This issue highlights two critical areas for policymakers: aligning consumer expectations with realistic sustainability goals and educating the public on correct waste sorting and disposal practices.
https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/4/1358
Shifting Equilibria: A New Framework Assessing Changing Power Dynamics Between the Global North and Global South
The disparity between the Global South and the Global North has gained prominence in classifying countries according to economic, social, and governance characteristics rather than historical links. Historically, the Global North has long been regarded as the dominant group of nations, far outperforming Global South countries; however, several Global South nations now surpass and outperform the Global North nations in multiple measures. Traditional measures like GDP per capita often overlook the intricate leadership dynamics essential for understanding developments in both regions. This study presents a novel approach to evaluating global leadership transitions, including economic performance, social mobility, and governance structures, by expanding on the Global South Leadership (GSL) Index. By averaging scores of 18 indices for 192 countries, scatter plots are created to identify relationships and trends between Global North and South countries and among the regions within. This study extrapolates why some Global South countries are overperforming and others are underperforming, and the ones that have overcome obstacles and become role models for other Global South, as well as for Global North countries.
https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4060/6/1/34
