Food Packaging Assignment

Running head: FOOD PACKAGING0
Food Packaging, Labelling and Dietary Guidelines
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author’s note

FOOD PACKAGING1
Table of Contents
Type and Function of Packaging................................................................................................2
Environmental Consideration of Packaging...............................................................................4
Food Products Labelling Requirement under Australian Legislation........................................5
Nutritional Value of Food Products based on National Dietary Guidelines..............................9
References................................................................................................................................11

FOOD PACKAGING2
Type and Function of Packaging
The function of food packaging is to provide protection to the packaged food against
the mechanical and microbial contamination. (1) Packaging also erects a barrier against
moisture or oxygen attack that increases the half-life of the food. Packaging also provides
protection against light and harmful chemicals. Canned food products or a product packed
inside the microwavable containers bestows stability against temperature variance. (1)
Pauls PhysiCAL no fat skim milk is retailed in 2 litres of plastic PE (polyethylene)
bottle. (2) The strength of the plastic bottle packaging is that it provides protection against
microbial contamination, moisture, oxygen, physical damage and sunlight. The main
advantage of plastic bottle is it is a cost-effective solution for packaging of the food products.
Moreover, plastic like PE is extremely light in weight helping in the process of easy
transportation, lifting or food carriage. The plastic bottles are also easy to store and operate.
(3) The PE plastic used for the packaging of the Pauls PhysiCAL no fat skim milk is
recyclable as evident from the recyclable sign present over the plastic bottle. The main
disadvantage of the plastic is, it is produced form the fossil fuels like natural gas, oil and coal.
These fuels emit dangerous greenhouse gases and toxic chemicals polluting the environment.
Plastic on decomposition produce methane gas, which is 20 times stronger than carbon
dioxide and accounts for about 4% emissions from landfill. Plastic also impose threat to the
marine life. Whales, turtles and other sea birds mistake this plastic rubbish as food. Upon
consumption of this rubbish, plastic gets entangled inside their alimentary canal causing
death or serious injuries. (4)

FOOD PACKAGING3
Figure: Plastic bottle for the Pauls PhysiCAL no fat skim milk
Source: (2)
Bannister Downs fresh milk is retailed in 1 litre pouch. (5) The pouch is fully
recyclable and eco-friendly. It is made up of 60% calcium carbonate (limestone), which share
similar composition to glass and hence capable of maintaining the freshness of the milk. (5) It
also easy to dispose, it gets flattens when empty and is also easy to crush. The pouch can also
be burnt safely with no emission of harmful gasses. Another advantage of this kind of
packaging is, it is microwaveable. (5)