The EU Regulation 1169/2011 changes existing legislation on food labeling including: nutrition information on processed foods; origin labeling of fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goats and poultry; highlighting allergens e.g. peanuts or milk in the list of ingredients; better legibility i.e. minimum size of text; and requirements on information on allergens.
The law combines two directives into one legislation: 2000/13/EC labeling, presentation and advertising of foodstuffs and 90/496/EEC nutrition labeling for foodstuffs.
'Big impact'
“Concerning legislation there will be one main issue which refers to the identification of food products and their components and this will have a big impact on our marking and labeling,“ said Valeska Haux, vice president, Corporate Marketing, Multivac.
The company recently launched its R900 thermoforming packaging machines for large products which need a deep pack cavity and it can seal large packs in a width range of 200 to 600mm, up to 430mm in length and up to 450mm in depth.
“Packaging for food, industrial products or sterile medical products has many functions. It must ensure a long shelf life for the product while also contributing to its POS marketing,” said Haux.
Weapon against forgery
“In many sectors, packaging is also used as a weapon against product forgery. Packaging in the convenience food sector often serves double duty as crockery. It is expected not only to perform functionally, but to fulfill visual and tactile aesthetic requirements, encouraging customers to buy.
“Above all, packaging must guarantee that the contents remains intact, undamaged and/or edible,” she added.
The R 900 has a lifting unit with servo drive and trapezoidal spindle for the forming plug. There is a sealing die and cutting unit with servo lifting units and air discharge for the forming system.
The support system with roller conveyor and discharge conveyor can be adjusted in height by the servo motors. The type of QRP cross cutter developed for special materials has been integrated into the machine.