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Everyone is concerned about food safety, but you may not know that the type of packaging used to transport food significantly impacts how safe our food products are. Among the many options for transporting fresh food, research shows that corrugated materials offer numerous benefits in terms of food safety and spoilage.

The Dangers of Foodborne Pathogens

Compared to the environment a century ago, our modern food production industry is remarkably clean and safe for both consumers and factory workers. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t occasional problems with contaminated food reaching the shelves of stores. When issues do occur, they have serious and long-lasting effects for both consumers and food industry companies.

When foodborne pathogens are present during the initial packaging and shipping process they can multiply quickly, especially in the often hot and humid environments of shipping facilities and warehouses. For consumers, contaminated food that contains bacteria such as salmonella or staphylococcus can lead to serious illness or even death. For the companies that sold the contaminated food, a bacterial outbreak means a loss consumer trust, irreparable damage to the brand, and potentially expensive recalls or lawsuits.

Corrugated Materials Lead the Way for Food Safety

The best way for companies to prevent foodborne pathogens from reaching the marketplace is to ensure that their products are safe before heading to the shelves and the hands of consumers. This means utilizing packaging materials that inhibit the growth of bacteria and other pathogens, thereby creating as safe an environment as possible for the food to be shipped in.

A landmark study has found that corrugated cardboard boxes are highly effective at preventing foodborne pathogens from entering the food chain. Corrugated materials work so well because of the very nature of the corrugation process: materials are exposed to temperatures in excess of 180 degrees Fahrenheit in order to bond the paper to the corrugated cardboard. Since most bacteria cannot survive these temperatures, shippers can be confident that their materials are clean when the food is placed in them for transport. Any bacteria that do survive become trapped inside the corrugated fibers, where they are unable to find food and water to survive and multiply.

Reducing Food Waste and Spoilage

The type of packaging that is used in food transportation also has a dramatic effect on the freshness of the food itself. Once again, corrugated materials come out on top by offering the best possible shipping experience for both food producers and consumers. Scientists have found that corrugated boxes can keep fruits and vegetables fresher for up to three days longer when compared to other packaging materials.

Food producers simply can’t afford the risks of shipping products in unclean packaging or dealing with excessive spoilage. At Express Packaging, we specialize in a wide variety of stock and custom corrugated materials to safeguard your products. If you’re ready to learn more about how corrugated cardboard can increase the value of your food products for you and your customers alike, contact one of our representatives today.