We all know that if food is left out without proper packaging, it will go bad and become dangerous to eat. This process is known as rancidity — which is when factors such as oxygen, heat, and wavelengths (light) chemically interact with the food. This causes food to go bad, and in this blog, we will talk about how companies can avoid rancidity in their packaging.
What Causes Rancidity?
In general, foods that are made of fatty acids and oils chemically react with the environment, resulting in rancidity. For example, if oxygen leaks into a bag of chips, then the chips start to go stale. That is a form of rancidity. A lot of food wrapped in plastics is susceptible to going bad, which is why an air-tight seal is necessary.
Another reason food can go bad is heat. This is obvious to most because we know that storing food in a refrigerator helps make the food last longer. Therefore, if food is left out in the heat, it will speed up the rancidity process, causing a foul odor.
The last common way that food rots is by UV light. Food that is exposed to direct sunlight suffers the same outcome as food left out in the heat. The light will speed up the rotting process causing the food to go rancid.
How to Prevent Rancidity
There are many different ways to prevent rancidity in foods. First, there are different types of plastics that can help with food storage. UV plastic is a material that helps to reduce the number of UV rays passing through. This helps fight against sunlight that can cause food to go rancid quickly. Plastic UV protection is one of the best ways to fight against sunlight.
Plastic additives suppliers create plastic specifically made to help fight food rancidity. For example, plastic additives can include antioxidants that help prevent oxygen from entering a container. Besides an air-tight seal, antioxidants are a great way to prevent oxidation in food.
And of course, to prevent heat, storing food in a refrigerated area is the best option. Not only does a refrigerator store food in a cold climate, but it also shields UV rays from hitting the food.
Food rancidity is a problem that can be avoided if you store your food correctly. Using the right plastics will prolong the life of your food and make it safer for you to eat.
