Edible Packaging: The Future of Sustainable Food Preservation |...

Edible Packaging: The Future of Sustainable Food Preservation

Posted 2024-02-09 13:11:05

As protecting the environment becomes an increasingly pressing issue, researchers have been developing novel methods of sustainable food packaging. One promising solution is edible packaging - materials made from ingredients that can be safely eaten, providing nourishment along with the convenience of conventional wrappers and containers. From wrappers produced from seaweed to boxes constructed entirely of biscuits or crackers, edible packaging could revolutionize how we preserve and transport food while reducing waste.

Defining Edible Packaging
Edible packaging refers to any material used to wrap or encapsulate food that is made from ingredients generally recognized as safe for human consumption. These ingredients include foods like fruits, vegetables, grains, herbs, as well as food industry byproducts. The packaging is designed to be non-toxic and palatable and often intended to be consumed along with the product it contains. Some common types of edible packaging include seaweed wraps, chocolate or candy boxes, and juice pouches made from fruits or vegetables.

Benefits of Edible Packaging
The primary benefit of edible packaging is its sustainability. By creating packaging from food, it eliminates the need for plastic, paper, aluminum and other traditional non-edible materials. This reduces landfill waste since the packaging naturally decomposes along with food waste. It also lowers CO2 emissions by decreasing the transportation and processing of packaging raw materials. Edible wrappers even add nutritional value by providing extra servings of fruits and vegetables. From an economic perspective,edible packaging creates new revenue streams by upcycling agricultural and seafood industry byproducts into high value products.

Research on Seaweed Wrappers
One edible packaging material gaining significant attention is seaweed. Common varieties used include nori, alginate and carageenan. Due to its high fiber and nutrient content, seaweed makes an ideal sustainable and nourishing wrapper. Several Asian countries have a long history of using dried seaweed sheets to wrap sushi and other dishes. Recently, European companies have started producing seaweed-based snacks packaged in multi-use seaweed films or bags. Researchers are also experimenting with thicker seaweed films that can replace plastic deli wrap or cling film. The films maintain breathability and flexibility like plastic while avoiding negative health impacts. With proper drying and processing, seaweed packaging provides a shelf life similar to conventional plastics.

Cookie and Cracker Boxes
Another branch of edible packaging research focuses on constructing boxes and cartons entirely from baked goods. Companies like Let's Do...Dinner in Seattle create boxes made of interlocking cookie or cracker sheets that can hold snacks, sandwiches or salads. The boxes are oven-baked to achieve rigidity yet remain edible. Stanford University researchers took this a step further by 3D printing boxes and containers from baked cookie dough. Proper formulation allows the ‘printed packaging’ to hold its shape while still being soft and appetizing enough to consume. Both applications eliminate the need for disposal since the packaging itself is the treat.

Substituting Plastic with Fruit and Vegetables
Some researchers experiment with less obvious fruits and vegetables as novel packaging materials. The Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center developed a ‘Juice Pouch’ made from purple sweet potatoes and carrots that could replace plastic juice pouches. Studies showed the anthocyanins and beta-carotene imparted health benefits while ensuring adequate shelf life and barrier properties. Similarly, a Canadian start-up called Notpla produces thin flexible films made from seaweed and fruit waste like bananas, oranges and grapes that serve as wrappers, pouches or bags. Preliminary results demonstrate the films maintain integrity for weeks without plasticizers or preservatives. As more such innovations emerge, the types of edible packaging will greatly expand.

Commercial Potential and Regulatory Hurdles
While promising from multiple standpoints, edible packaging technologies face challenges to widespread implementation. Regulatory compliance represents a significant hurdle, as packaging materials fall under strict food safety standards. Packaging used for meats or other perishables requires validation to prove preservation abilities equivalent to plastic. Consumer acceptance remains uncertain for less familiar innovations beyond seaweed. Scale-up also poses difficulties since production must occur in food-grade facilities. Overcoming these obstacles will require extensive research, testing and trials. With more supportive policies and successful partnerships across sectors, edible packaging shows strong commercial potential to become common within the next decade.

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