"NANO BRICK WALL"-WITHIN THE REALM OF FEASIBILITY?

The nano technology, which is a focus of attention by many sectors of manufacturing industry, is mired in controversies regarding its safety credentials vis-a-vis human beings. Though there is no evidence so far regarding any adverse consequences that might be caused by nano technology based products, there is still a lot of apprehension in the minds of consumers, as many aspects of this new development are not still clearly understood. Those who are votaries of nano technology hold the view that any new technology intended for use by humans has risks and the decision regarding its deployment by the industry is based on a virtual risk-benefit analysis. The fact that millions of dollars of investments are being channeled into nano technology research both in the private and public sector research institutions spanning the world, it has to be conceded that safety aspects will be high in the minds of those committed to this area of development. A recent finding by a scientific group that new plastic films incorporating nano particles of clay, one thousandth of the size of a human hair or less, can have functional properties similar to that of glass may be of big impact on the food industry, if it can be translated into commercial application with assured safety.

"A discovery thousands of times smaller than a human hair could completely redefine how restaurants serve their food. But it might also usher in one of the biggest controversies in food safety the industry has seen in years. An engineering team at Texas A&M University developed a revolutionary thin-coating polymer with the food-preservation qualities of glass. Jaime Grunlan, the associate professor at Texas A&M who headed the research effort, says the innovative packaging material could preserve a carbonated drink's fizz better than anything on the market. The film is 70 percent clay particles, more eco-friendly than plastics, and thousands of times thinner than a single hair. Grunlan's coating is water, a soluble polymer, and clay. "It's basically dirt," he says. "It's my understanding that clay is food-contact approved. With the polymer we're using, if it's not food-contact approved, we can switch to another polymer. This is a very tailorable technology for changing properties or toxicity."

Though many leading food companies, especially in advanced countries are known to pursue nano technology research, anticipating huge spin off eventually, no one seems to be ready to conceded that they are in this field, probably because of the possible consumer back lash due to fear of adverse health consequences of ingesting nano particles. It is a difficult task to prove conclusively that nano particles do not interfere with thousands of biological activities that take place in human body. A multi nation task force involving technologically front line nations must address this problem and pool their resources to come out with a definitive conclusion regarding the safety questions that haunt the industry at present. A beautiful technology with immense potential to contribute to the welfare of the world must not be allowed to be sidelined for want of scientific effort in establishing its safety. .

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

NITROGEN GENERATOR FOR "INERT" PACKING

Foods undergo deterioration of different types and food processing industry is supposed to deploy relevant technologies to arrest such unwanted changes in quality. Oxygen is considered the most destructive chemically and biochemically because the reaction products with oxygen invariably taint the product quality during storage. Oxygen also facilitates growth of aerobic microorganisms which bring about undesirable quality changes in the foods while affecting their safety. Packing with low oxygen transmission packing materials does retard the reactions to some extent for some time but good storage life can be obtained only under an inert atmosphere created with vacuum or replacing air with nitrogen. Food grade nitrogen is manufactured from atmospheric air through a complex process and large scale manufacturers supply the gas with practically no moisture, in compressed form in steel cylinders. However use of Nitrogen by food industry is rising fast and many large food processors find it logistically difficult and economically non-viable to procure nitrogen cylinders for daily use. In situ Nitrogen generators can be helpful to them for uninterrupted packing operation.

"Because large quantities of Nitrogen are required for atmosphere blanketing with food packaging, the most ideal method for administering the gas is with a Nitrogen Generator. Nitrogen Generators help companies save money and work efficiently because they produce Nitrogen literally from thin air and will not run out of the gas supply. Avoid costly run-outs, switching tanks, N2 gas company contracts, high pressure cylinder delivery, handling and storage all with a Nitrogen Generator. Depending on the size and model Nitrogen Generator a company needs, they may see a return on investment (ROI) in 18-24 months, plus they eliminate the hassle of dealing with the gas company, storing extra cylinders, and potentially running out of gas at a critical point".

Nitrogen cylinders are still relevant for small scale processors with limited financial strength but the quality of the gas needs to be assured, especially freedom from impurities and moisture. Large capacity Nitrogen generators can be installed in food industry parks or industrial estates where a number of units working there require Nitrogen. Also to be considered is whether small production units can be designed at affordable prices, though cot of production of the gas may be some what higher. In India modified atmosphere storage (MAS) and packing (MAP) systems are yet to make an impact but for food industry it is inevitable that foods are handled under controlled atmosphere for longer life and better quality.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com

CHINESE FOOD AUTHORITIES-LAUDABLE "TRANSPARENCY"

China's ability to safeguard the health of its citizens from fraudsters and other quick-buck earning criminals indulging in activities that compromise food safety seems to be sorely stretched by the series of safety violations detected during the last two years. Latest incidence to add to the worries of Chinese safety enforcement authorities is the discovery of continued use of unsafe packing materials in spite of them being banned years ago. What is refreshing is the readiness of the government in exposing this before the public glare under a regime reputed for secrecy and information suppression.

"Authorities in China have seized more than seven million toxic disposable food containers, state media reported Wednesday, in the latest product safety scare to hit the nation. Seven companies in the eastern province of Jiangxi were busted for manufacturing the long-banned foam boxes using plastic waste and fluorescent whitening agents, the official China Daily newspaper said. Disposable food containers are routinely used by restaurants across China. Authorities banned foam boxes in 1999, but they can still be found in many parts of the country. The warmth of a hot meal causes toxic elements used to make the foam containers to seep into the food. Those substances can damage people's livers, kidneys and reproductive systems".

What is intriguing is the mental attitude of those who violate the government rules on food safety and indulge in such criminal activities knowing pretty well that they would be facing even threat of capital punishment, if and when they are caught. Probably psychologically every criminal has the over confidence that he will never be caught which leads to such risk taking behavior.

V.H.POTTY
http://vhpotty.blogspot.com/
http://foodtechupdates.blogspot.com