Packaging of edible oil

Edible oils and hydrogenated fats (vanaspati) are extensively used in human diet as they impart textural qualities, taste and palatability to food apart from contributing calories, fat soluble vitamins and essential fatty acids for human nutrition. Edible oil is derived from seeds of plants. Fats and oils are often added to food products as ingredient during processing.

It is extremely important that, whatever the packaging material used, it should be food grade and non-toxic. The product package compatibility is the starting point and shelf-life follows compatibility. Packaged oil and fats offer various advantages such as:
•Ease in quick disposal at retail points
•Ease of identification
•Tamper evident and therefore chances of mixing or adulteration minimised
•Quality is guaranteed
•No need for consumer to carry own container
•Convenience in storage and use by the consumer
•No wastage due to spillage at retail shops/containers
•Brand identification can be established

Distribution of oils/fats in unit consumer packs is increasingly becoming popular as it assures quality product packed under hygienic conditions in unadulterated forms.

In view of their logistic advantages such as light weight, low cost and convenient shapes and tailor made functionality, plastics in rigid, semi-rigid and flexible forms are replacing conventional bulk packages.

Edible oil in Europe is usually packed in a transparent or colored glass packaging or plastic packaging, and less often in lacquered metal packaging.

Edible oil also being packed in 1 kg stretch blow molded PET bottles. PET bottles have excellent clarity, are odor–free and have good gas barrier properties. PET bottles are also accepted internationally for edible oil packaging.
Packaging of edible oil

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle for soft drinks

Since the development in closure technology, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle production, can design and manufacture, syrup making methods, carbonation technology and filling machine manufacture have led to the worldwide beverage industry as we know it today.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles are a very popular pack type for carbonated soft drinks. Peanut butter, salad dressing and other household and consumer precuts are also package in PET bottles.

PET bottles have also replace PVC bottles that are often use in the packaging of mineral water. The bottle is manufacture in a two stage process. PET granules are melted and injected at high pressure into perform moulds.

The pre-forms can then be warmed and stretched and blown with compressed air into a mould to give a finished single piece bottle of the desired size.

PET packaging has allowed drinks companies to move into in-house bottle production, and to operate more independently from packaging manufacturers.

PET bottles have good gas barrier properties and are lightweight. Once filled with a carbonated drink the bottles become very strong and rigid.

Most PET bottles used are one-way or non-returnable containers. An improvement in PET bottles has led to the designing of refillable bottles.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle for soft drinks

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging

PET stands for Polyethylene terephthalate. This type of plastic is characterized by a clear, glasslike transparency.

Polyethylene terephthalate or PET is a plastic resin used primarily to make soft drink bottles. PET was developed as a textile fiber in the 1940s and is still used as such for carpets and clothing.

In 1977 blow-molded PET bottles became commercially available for carbonated soft drinks.

In 1984 blow-molded PET bottles appeared in the market for liquor products with applications for on-beverage foods, pharmaceuticals and toiletries.

PET is formed from condensation reaction of dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene glycol. Because PET contains the ester group O-C=O, as a repeating unit, PET is referred to as a polyester.

Peanut butter, salad dressing and other household and consumer products are also package in PET bottles.

Other forms of PET packaging include trays and sheeting for cups and food trays.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) packaging