A Historical Look Into Food Packaging Films

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Millions of years, when people used to hunt for their food, they would keep their food contained in some basic form of packaging. It was very unlikely for them to come across a hygienic packaging film of any sort to keep their food preserved or in its clean condition. Food was generally consumed where or when it was found, almost immediately before it started to turn. Things like dry leaves, coconut shells, vegetables and animal skin provided a good covering and protecting the food.

In our modern world today using protective food packaging film is essential to preventing cross contamination and abiding to the health and safety laws. In the past this was not yet invented and therefore basic amenities were used. Things like liquids and water were kept in coconut shells and hollowed out dried skins of fruits and vegetables, known as gourds. These were able to hold the substance in without leakage.

The Egyptians and Romans both used containers for food that were made out of clay and other materials. These were most effective for transporting food across and consuming from, however these at times brittle and did not preserve the food in anyway. As time moved on glass, paper, metal and other materials were introduced and proved to be much more effective. However this did not replace clay containers.

During the Victorian period dairy produce such as butter and cheese were stored in baskets, allowing there to be contact with air and keeping it fresh for longer. Tea was kept in chests, vinegar and alcohol in barrels and rice grains were kept in sacks. This made it further easier to transport with damaging or spoiling the produce within. In comparison to the modern packaging film we see today for butter and cheese, these were the next best thing and did not last as longer as the packaging system now.

Earlier forms of cans were introduced much earlier, during the time of Napoleon in 1795, who had offered a prize to anyone that can invent an effective method of preserving food for his soldiers. A chef in Paris, Nicholas Appert, took to the challenge and invented a container that was sealed and preserved food by heating it. Scientists in England had also discovered that steel lined with tin was also a very effective way of preserving food.

By the time of the Second World War the steel cans resembled the modern cans we see today. This was much lighter, opening at the end of the can and contained a variety of foods such as spaghetti, fish, beverages of all sorts and milk. Cans are still used widely even today with much of it being used for soft drinks, fish, vegetables, fruits, sauces and other foods. The general favourite for buying food are ones that are protected with a protective packaging film, but also allows for the food to stay fresh and contaminant free. Such as barrier films on fresh meat, vegetables and fruits.

About the Author:
Anna Stenning has resaerched the various types of packaging film and protective barrier films used for food, having seen that it is a health risk if food are not packaged correctly.



Article Originally Published On: http://www.articlesnatch.com


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