Packaging materials extend the shelf-life of food

According to WWF Germany, 1.3 billion tonnes of food are lost each year – a share of 30 to 40%. The food that remains unused and is therefore thrown away amounts to over 100 million tonnes in Europe and 18 million tonnes in Germany. The potential volume that can be avoided along the entire value chain is very high, including the harvest and post-harvest, processing and distribution to the consumer. Even now, according to the report, Germany alone could save 10 million of its annual 18 million tonnes that normally end up in the bin. Distribution losses in the retail and wholesale trades are 2.58 billion tonnes. The study says that 2.4 million tonnes of waste could be avoided, that is, nearly 90% Active packaging for an extended shelf-life The Fraunhofer Institute for Process Engineering and Packaging (Fraunhofer IVV) recently studied the potential benefit of active packaging systems for perishable food, using the examples of cooked ham and mushrooms. Fresh for another four days. Mushrooms sealed in plastic became discolored after only a very short…

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