UV spoils no more

CLARIFOIL, the specialist producer of acetate films for cartons and carton windows, has developed a UV inhibitor additive, opening up a range of possibilities for food products.

CLARIFOIL, the specialist producer of acetate films for cartons and carton windows, has developed a UV inhibitor additive, opening up a range of possibilities for food products. Technologists at Clarifoil's Spondon-based R&D and manufacturing operation first produced the UV inhibitor in answer to a Scandinavian seafood producer's request for a clear film for window cartons which would also keep his shrimps looking better longer in the retail environment. "The shrimps were a premium product for which a window pack was perfect for presentation to the consumer but unfortunately the product also proved susceptible to discoloration under exposure to fluorescent light," said Tony Longdon, Clarifoil's technical manager. "We experimented with a UV additive and produced a 95 micron food contact compatible clear film which gave a longer shelf life and radically reduced the wastage rate for the retailer, an important consideration in the manufacturer's home market in Scandinavia," he said. The R&D team also experimented with other food products. Working with white chocolate, Clarifoil found the UV-treated film can double the display life of chocolate in window packs. "We are now looking for further products on which to try the UV treated film,"