(Newswire.net — February 10, 2014) Anaheim, CA — You may not know it, but plastics play a huge role in our food industry. From food manufacturing and preparation to saving leftovers, plastics are there for us the whole way. For many years, plastic materials have been developed to assist in food saftey. Let’s explore what plastics have been asked to do.
FDA Approved Plastics in Food Processing
Plastics have been replacing metals in food processing plants for many different reasons. First of all, metals require lubrication to keep moving with minimum friction. Many of these lubricants pose a threat of contaminating the food being processed. The maintenance and servicing of equipment that requires regular lubrication is costly and expensive. With plastics, specifically LubX C UHMW, UHMW, HDPE, Acetal – Delrin and PTFE, lubricating the parts is a thing of the past.
Noise Reducing Plastic Materials
These plastics offer excellent wear properties and do not require external lubrication. Lubricated parts are necessary in any machine or production line, and by eliminating the need for external lubrication, there is less chance for food contamination. The use of self lubricating plastics also helps to reduce the metal on metal noise in food processing facilities. This noise reduction is a major issue for facilities in the OSHA noise reduction efforts. Loud metal on metal factories and plants require extra hear protection devices, and self lubricating plastics reduce these requirements.
Plastics Detectable in Food Processing
Plastics offer more than just great wear properties in food processing. There is a demand for machine parts that are detectable in food by color, x-ray, and metal detectors. If a machine breaks, or a piece breaks or chips off into the food, how do we know? Plastics have the amazing capacity to be adapted to fit almost any use that is required of them. Plastics can be modified with additives to be x-ray and/or metal detectable. Common materials for use in metal detectable applications are:
- – UHMW Sheet and Rod
- – Acetal Sheet and Rod
- – Nylon Sheet and Rod
- – PEEK Sheet and Rod
In addition to this detection, some plastics can also be produced in just about any color. Blue is not a color normally found in food, and is therefore a great color for food processing equipment parts. Combining these three factors can lead to a massive reduction in foreign objects found in food. Foreign objects found in food can cause massive recalls, which in turn means massive amounts of money lost or law suits.
Corrosion Resistant Plastics
One of the main reasons that plastics make sense for use in food processing is their natural resistance to corrosion. Plastics such as PET and PBT are known for their excellent corrosion resistance. Metals are susceptible to corrosion, especially in highly acidic conditions. This is the perfect application for plastic to flex its muscles. Most plastics are already, or can be modified, to resist the growth of bacteria. By resisting the growth of bacteria from the start, plastic can help to control sickness and diseases, which can also lead to expensive recalls.
After the food is processed, it has to be sealed and boxed to go on the shelf. Plastics, once again come to save the day. Plastics have increased the shelf life of most foods, and reduced the packaging size and shape. Sometimes after you are done eating, there is still food left over. Plastic bags and plastic storage containers are the perfect means to save this food. Some people even have their own vacuum-seal machines. However they do it, saving food means saving money, as well as less waste.
Plastics are taking over where metals cannot perform, and where metals are failing. Metals cannot keep food fresh like vacuum-sealed bags can, or keep out harmful bacteria.
Plastics help keep your food safe and clean.
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