Food Packaging

Code

Course teacher

Associate teachers

Status of the course

Course objectives

To provide an understanding of basic functions of packaging in accordance with the characteristics of the food product and market requirements.

Course enrolment requirements and entry competences required for the course

Learning outcomes expected at the level of the course (4 to 10 learning outcomes)

After the successfully passed exam student should be able to:
- define the main functions of packaging
- identify the characteristics of different kind of food and its sensitivity on external influences
- describe and identify various packaging materials for food
- describe the manufacturing of packaging
- identify the interactions in food - packaging system
- design packaging solution
- perform analysis of packaging materials in laboratory and interpret collected data
- participate in team work and to present seminar essay

Course content broken down in detail by weekly class schedule (syllabus)

1st week: Introduction.
2nd week: Classification of packaging
3rd week: Functions of packaging
4th week: Types and characteristics of foodstuff
5th week: Packaging materials: wood; paper; paperboard; metals
6th week: Polymeric materials: characteristics and classification; cellulose materials, polyethylene, polypropylene, vinyl polymers
7th week: Polystyrene, polyesters, polyamides, polyurethanes; biodegradable polymeric materials
8th week: Manufacturing of polymer packaging.
9th week: Multilayer packaging materials. Glass.
First test.
10th week: Packaging forms
11th week: Interactions between food and packaging materials. Packaging for cereals, bakery and confectionery goods
12th week: Packaging for fruits and vegetables; meat and fish;
13th week: Packaging for milk and diary products, alcoholic and soft beverages
14th week: Packaging waste and environment
15th week: Presentation of students seminar essays
Second test.
Laboratory exercises: Analysis of packaging material dimensions; Analysis of paper; Analysis of metal packaging materials; Analysis of polymeric packaging materials; Analysis of multilayer packaging materials

Format of instruction:

Student responsibilities

Lecture attendance: 80 %. Laboratory exercises attendance: 100 %. The preparation and presentation of seminar essay (team work)