Trays, films and heat-sealable pouches play an essential role in food preservation. However, in addition to being an environmental hazard, the plastics they are made of are not without health risks!
Are there heat-sealable solutions without plastic? The answer is yes!
Why is heat-sealable packaging used?
Heat sealing is a process whereby a plastic material is welded to another material (e.g. during tray packing) or to itself, in the case of sealing a plastic film.
Heat sealing is used to seal a package to protect the contents.
Heat-sealable routing films to protect press articles
These packaging films are used to transport magazines, brochures, periodicals, leaflets, newspapers, etc. Since 1 January 2022, the AGEC law prohibits plastic packaging for shipped press publications.
As an alternative to plastic films, some professionals have opted for paper solutions coated with water-based heat-sealable glue, while others have opted to do away with packaging.
Heat-sealable films to preserve foodstuffs
Depending on the products to be preserved, a food packaging will have to ensure different barrier functions against oxygen, gases, oils, fats or water vapour.
It must also meet strict regulatory requirements concerning the materials that can be used.
Heat sealing allows these packages to be hermetically sealed and to better preserve foodstuffs.
Problems with the use of plastic in food packaging
Health risks
Plastics have the advantage of providing effective barrier layers for the preservation of foodstuffs. However, the use of plastics is not trivial and the migration of micro and nano plastics into our food is a reality that is beginning to be highlighted by recent scientific studies[1].
Although the impact of these particles on human health is still poorly understood, a potential “cocktail effect” could be the cause of various health problems in the long term [2]. Furthermore, the health risk of the use of PFAs has been raised by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)[3].
A significant environmental impact
According to a WWF France report, 80,000 tonnes of plastic waste end up in the environment every year and household packaging alone accounts for a quarter of this figure.
In order to stop this plastic haemorrhage, the AGEC law has set a deadline of 2040 for the end of single-use plastic, which obliges manufacturers to gradually turn to plastic-free solutions!
Heat-sealable food packaging: alternatives to traditional plastics?
Are there any heat-sealable solutions with the same advantages as plastic? Fortunately, the answer is yes!
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿™, a plastic-free coating for cellulose packaging
𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿™ is a plastic-free solution made from a heat-sealable, non-toxic and environmentally responsible natural polymer:
- The plastic-free resin has no effect on the recyclability of coated papers
- Our solution is biodegradable in water and in marine environments
- 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿™ is also compostable at home!
[1] See for example the study “Honey quality and migration of microplastics from food packaging: A potential threat to consumer health”, open access https://www.mdpi.com/2673-8929/1/3/30/htm
[2] A recent study on mice shows that food contamination can affect the functioning of our gut
[3] Report published in 2020: https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/pfas-food-efsa-assesses-risks-and-sets-tolerable-intake
