FDBusiness.com

Parkside has produced a new pliable packaging to decrease bacteria growth on the outer packaging of fresh poultry products.

The new packaging has an inbuilt antimicrobial technology, and incorporates a silver-based additive that can be applied into coatings used on the outer side of packaging.

The additive kills various micro-organisms, including campylobacter, which are known to be a major risk for the poultry packing industry.

Campylobacter is recognised as the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK.

The risk to consumers can be avoided by checking for cross-contamination during preparation, processing, packing and distribution.

Parkside sales director Paula Birch said: “The demand for ready-to-eat, fresh and easily prepared food is increasing. Initially the packaging of these foods was simply to provide protective and barrier functions.

“However, the growth of bacteria on packaged foodstuffs continues to cause problems regarding consumer food safety and of course, product quality.

“To deal with this issue, Parkside has designed and developed a range of flexible packaging solutions which incorporate antimicrobial technology to improve pack functionality.”

So far, Parkside’s anti microbial solution has been tested in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging.

The company recently designed new printed lidding film for Burton’s Biscuits Cadbury Chocolate Fingers range.

Parkside was founded more than 2o years ago. The company is apart of the global Antalis. Parkside has a range of packaging products from corrugated cartons, to tape, stretch film and polythene, protective products, postal packaging and palletised containers.