Innofibre, a research centre specializing in the development of plant fibre-based products, produced pulp from post-consumer cartons obtained from a Quebec material recovery facility. The pulp was then used to manufacture moulded products using transfer moulding and thermoforming techniques.

Principal researcher, Eric Desnoes, said, “Tests confirmed that recycled carton fibre pulp has similar mechanical and physical properties to virgin kraft pulp (making it suitable for) manufacturing high-quality moulded products.”

The Carton Council of Canada, which aims to increase carton collection and recycling in Canada, commissioned the research. Data compiled by the council shows around 58,000 tonnes of post-consumer cartons per year are collected through the blue box and deposit-return programs in Canada.

Looking ahead, the council plans to collaborate with local recyclers and packaging manufacturers to explore further applications of recycled carton pulp. It anticipates a rise in carton recycling rates, positioning cartons as a valuable alternative raw material for packaging manufacturers invested in the circular economy.

The ConProSachet system has a uniquely designed co-extrusion head that produces a thin alginate casing around the product. Circulating dividing elements then compress the filled flow pack, separating it into a chain of individual pods for separation into individual portions. The seal is a few-tenths of a millimetre thick.

According to Rafal Rusiniak, sales manager, “This technology opens new doors and the creative uses for these no-leak edible sachets for snacks, treats and quick energy bursts when on the run holds great potential for innovative processors in search of a more environmentally friendly product line.”

The Handtmann Sachet System was developed in cooperation with Notpla, a U.K.-based material company.

In 2022, CCME released “A Roadmap to Strengthen the Management of Single-use and Disposable Plastics”. The Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations, which was published in June 2022, prohibits the manufacture, import and sale of single-use plastics (e.g. checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, ring carriers, stir sticks and straws). In November 2023, the Federal Court overturned the ban on single-use plastic based on the decision that the classification of plastics was too broad to be listed on the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

In April 2023, the Recycled Content and Labelling for Plastic Products Regulations were proposed alongside the release of a paper outlining reporting requirements to the Federal Plastics Registry. The proposed regulations would require minimum levels of recycled post-consumer plastics in packaging (food contact packaging excluded except for beverage containers) and require accurate information on recyclability labelling and restrictions on the use of the term, ‘compostable.’ Provinces and territories are looking to expand recycling collection programs to support these regulations, which include developing and implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) policies. The EPR approach makes the producer responsible for the collection and management of packaging at the end of life. The Federal Plastics Registry will require producers of certain categories of plastics to submit annual reports with information on plastic product resin types and amount of plastic waste sent to disposal.

P2 Notice

To continue bringing forward new measures to manage plastic waste, the federal government introduced a consultation document regarding a proposed pollution prevention notice (P2 notice) to reduce the environmental impact of primary food plastic packaging. The notice would require large grocery retailers in Canada to prepare, implement, and report on a pollution prevention plan to reduce plastic waste and shift to a circular economy. The goal of the P2 notice is to reduce primary plastic food packaging by eliminating unnecessary/hard-to-recycle items. All companies along the entire value chain (retailers, producers, and brand owners) would need to work together to meet the P2 notice objectives. Initial input from stakeholders on the consultation document ended on August 30, 2023. The government is analyzing the comments and continues to welcome additional feedback as the P2 notice is developed. A draft P2 notice will be issued for public comment before finalization.

The many new policies and regulations are complex with nuances that are providing real challenges to the food industry. These challenges are being addressed by designing packages for recycling or reuse, improving recycling system infrastructure, and increasing the availability of more recycled food-grade plastic resin. The P2 notice is part of federal government’s ambitious Action Plan of Zero Plastic Waste. Collaborative effort along with support from all levels of government, industry and citizens is needed to achieve a circular economy with less plastic waste.

Carol Zweep is the research lead, packaging, at Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab, Conestoga College.

This column was originally published in the April/May 2024 issue of Food in Canada.

Currently, packaging materials intended for use with foods in Canada may be submitted voluntarily to Health Canada for a pre-market assessment of their chemical safety, per Food and Drugs Act and Regulations. However, Health Canada is actively considering regulatory changes that would make this form of assessments mandatory. Field told event attendees that public consultations on the proposed regulation may start next year.

Field’s comments were part of an overarching discussion on plastic reduction measures, including the P2 notice, Canada Plastic Pact’s Golden Design Rules (GDR), the various extended producer responsibility programs across Canada and the recently introduced Federal Plastics Registry. The event was attended by F&B processors, retailers, packaging firms, municipal waste teams, government representatives and other sector stakeholders. An open discussion gave participants the opportunity to voice their challenges when it came to food packaging. This consultation was a follow-up to a January discussion on the same topic by FBO.

Participants acknowledged it takes years and a lot of investment to change packaging lines. Given the regulatory inconsistencies across the country and the lack of plastic alternatives to meet the industry’s food safety and shelf-life requirements, manufacturers are concerned the investments won’t yield desired results. However, they’re committed to actively work towards a circular economy, meet consumer demands for sustainably produced food, and keep plastics as much as possible out of landfills without compromising food safety.

Lack of alternatives

While the Golden Design Rules recommends the use of monomaterials, it’s not recyclable across Canada. Plus, the thickness of the plastic needs to be increased to meet the self-life requirements of products like dry pasta, which means the amount of plastic in the packaging isn’t minimized.

Another concern raised during the consultation was the fact that biodegradable plastics, which typically cost three times more than flexible packaging, don’t comply with the Golden Design Rules. Also, there is no internationally recognized definition for biodegradable materials. It varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, making it nearly impossible for large multinational F&B manufacturers to adopt such packaging.

Lack of consistency

The lack of consistency was a constant theme throughout the consultation. Attendees highlighted that packaging, which is deemed recyclable in Europe, isn’t in North America. They also shared their frustration with recycling programs in Canada that vary from municipality to municipality. Imagine creating packaging for each municipality and the associated costs!

Lack of consumer awareness

Food safety reasons notwithstanding, participants felt it was key to educate consumers about best recycling practices. For example, remove the non-recyclable films before recycling cardboard boxes. This will improve recycling rates as well as ensure we have higher-grade of recycled plastic for use. However, changing consumer behaviour isn’t possible overnight; it’ll take years of patient, ongoing education.

Lack of infrastructure

Another issue was the lack of infrastructure to back up Canada’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda. There are challenges with sorting materials. As described by Doug Alexander, VP, sustainability and government relations, Belmont Food Group, Canada’s recycling system is a “catch-all” while in Europe materials are segregated by material and recycled through dedicated lines. It would be helpful to invest in technology that can automate recycling systems before demanding industry to make expensive changes that may not necessarily improve the state of plastic recycling in the country.

Toxins

A large part of the discussion centred around the lack of data to help determine the impact of microplastics on human health. Field said that at this point there are no consensus on how microplastics affect humans. He added that a lot of studies use spherical microplastics, a type of microplastics that humans aren’t exposed to. He suggested studies must be representative of what we, as humans, are exposed to. He admitted there’s evidence of toxicity in animal models but urged that most of them must be interpreted with caution.

Recycled plastic quality concerns

Field also shared Health Canada’s concerns with the use of recycled plastic in food packaging.

“We have a good handle on resins, the additives used and the amount of leeching, etc. But all bets are off when it comes to recycled plastic. We don’t have much info on how they behave. We don’t want them leeching chemicals into food. We’re looking at new risk management practices,” he explained.

At this point, there is zero science-based data to help determine how many types a plastic material can be safely reused in food packaging. The last thing one wants is a toxic package leeching chemicals into the food.

Despite all the concerns raised, the group was unanimous in its intention to create a circular plastic economy and avoid sending them to landfills.

As Alexander, who moderated the discussion said, “It’ll take time to divest ourselves from this addiction to plastics.” It’ll take years to build a society and culture that actively recycles and reuses products. Perhaps until then, it might be worthwhile for the industry to explore alternative measures like creating energy from waste, thereby keeping plastics out of landfills.

In the ever-evolving landscape of automotive manufacturing, Nexeo Plastics is taking the lead in driving sustainability with our portfolio of sustainable materials that includes the latest innovations from our suppliers. We’re committed to revolutionizing the road, from encouraging customers to adopt bio-based plastics to helping customers meet their net zero carbon goals. Let’s discuss the details of our sustainable solutions and their pivotal role in shaping the future of mobility.

Embracing Sustainability in Response to Environmental Concerns

The automotive industry is at a crossroads as it tries to respond to global environmental concerns and to adopt more sustainable practices. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are now prioritizing the reduction of their carbon footprints through Extended Producer Responsibility (“EPR”) programs and seeking to achieve end-of-life recyclability goals. Although legislation mandating EPR’s is being developed specifically for EV battery producers and packaging manufacturers, we expect this trend to spread to other automotive segments.

Our sustainable solutions aim to cover the entire spectrum of goals our customers are striving to achieve. We want to help customers minimize reliance on traditional plastics, reduce their own and their customers’ carbon emissions, and, in general, help everyone mitigate their environmental impact. Carbon mass balance, Circularity, or a combination of both have become the chief philosophies in the industry, and Nexeo Plastics has product solutions for each approach.

Key Features and Benefits

Currently, the sustainable options that are typically most appealing to automotive OEMs include a variety of commodity and engineered bio-based plastics, derived either directly from renewable resources, such as sugarcane, or through the mass balance approach using ISCC PLUS certifications for existing products. Both methods are often ideal to ensure compatibility with existing manufacturing processes for seamless integration. And the result? A reduced carbon footprint throughout the vehicle’s life cycle, achievement of end-of-life recyclability goals, and enhanced brand image and consumer appeal through sustainability initiatives.

Nexeo Plastics’ Differentiating Features

What sets Nexeo Plastics apart? We have access to both emerging and existing sustainable material options from large suppliers in the industry. With global ISCC PLUS approved facilities, we can maintain chain of custody for certification from our global suppliers to our customers.

In conclusion, Nexeo Plastics is driving change by providing sustainable solutions that not only meet the needs of the present but also pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future in the mobility industry. We are happy to answer any questions you or your customer may have. Join us on this journey towards sustainable mobility!

Taylor Burnham
Product Manager for Healthcare and Sustainability
Nexeo Plastics

Christian M. Sodeikat
End Market Manager – Mobility
Nexeo Plastics

Q: Tell us a little bit about EFS-plastics
A: EFS-plastics is an Ontario-based plastics recycler that processes over 100 million pounds of post-consumer plastics every year. Our headquarters is in Listowel, Ont., and specializes in mixed rigid plastics processing.
We also run a U.S. plant in Hazleton, Pa., which specializes in flexible plastics. Our latest expansion brought us to Lethbridge, Alta., where we will start to produce high-quality resins for packaging applications in January 2025. This will be the first plant to produce a food grade PET product as well.

Q: Where do you source your materials?
A: We work directly with municipalities and waste management companies. Once the transition to EPR will be completed in Ontario by 2026 and Alberta in 2025, we will be working directly with the producers and producer responsibility organizations to process their materials. We hope to gain long-term supply agreements from this change that would guarantee us consistent supply and enable us to engineer our resins to the spec of the producer.

Q: What gets impacted in the process when using PCR?
A: Let me start by stating, that the latest studies from renowned environmental firms show that PCR from mechanical recycling has a far lower environmental footprint than any other competing technology currently available in the market. We are talking about a GHG emission saving of up to 50 per cent compared to chemical recycled resins and 70 per cent compared to virgin plastics. For this reason, mechanical recycled resin should be preferred over other recycled resins if suited for the product application.
We understand that our PCR has limitations in certain applications and most of our customers have a low tolerance for specs and gels, thus we are investing heavily in advanced sortation, washing, and extrusion. The industry is quite evolving, and we are seeing great success with high incorporating rates with those customers that invested in PCR by updating their conversion equipment.

Q: Where do you see demand coming from?
A: Recycled content legislation and EPR remain the main drivers for demand. We have very strong sales in the regulated market. However, since the 2025 voluntary brand goals are in sight, we saw a lot more traction in the first quarter of 2024. This traction is coming from brands as well as converters.

Q: How is recycling technology changing over time?
A: As every player in this industry understands quality concerns and market needs better and better, we are seeing improvements and innovation for every component of our process. Machinery that was state-of-the-art 10 years ago will most likely not meet the current standards anymore.

Q: Are investments in the latest technology necessary to remain competitive, or does older recycling equipment remain useful?
A: Yes, but there’s a catch. Recyclers need commitments on both ends of the supply chain to make the necessary investments. Long-term consistent supply and a set of consistent buyers would greatly de-risk these multimillion-dollar projects.
In some cases, old equipment can be retrofitted or refurbished, which makes those investments less expensive. At EFS-plastics, we try to reuse or repurpose as much of our old equipment as possible.

For example, with more expectations being placed on the reliability aspect of caps and closures, producers have an opportunity to step up and deliver the high-quality resins backed by robust technical support that modern manufacturers demand. We are required to understand the end-use demands – to be stronger, more durable, lighter weight, more flexible, clearer, heat or cold resistant, etc. – as well as the specifications for all production equipment in use, and how to optimize for maximum efficiency. In today’s market, in fact, the technical expertise on the producer’s end might be just as important as producing and delivering a quality and consistent product.

Customization, quality, consistency

Hyper-customization means finding and delivering the perfect product for our customer’s very specific needs: they may look alike to the casual eye, but we know that every package, every film, every cap and closure, every personal hygiene product requires proprietary customization with zero room for variance between shipments. We know every minute of downtime, extra cleaning, and re-runs is money off the bottom line. For example, Heartland’s H3003 biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) film extrusion resin has been found to have an excellent processing window allowing for even faster production speeds.

Products that deliver low VOC, faster and better processing, along with enhanced down gauging capabilities, come with higher value. All polymers when melted emit some level of volatiles, but leading production technology and less additives can significantly reduce those volatiles. The less additives, the fewer things that can break down and create problems for the converter on their end. That’s why quality assurance is paramount to making technical recommendations with confidence. For example, Heartland Polymers has conducted trials at the Non-Wovens Institute – the world’s first accredited academic program for the interdisciplinary field of engineered fabrics – to test and verify product quality. Recent trials found the product runs exceptionally well, which translates to less equipment maintenance as well as the potential for improved processability.

Advancing sustainability through production technology

Smart technologies also enable technical support and QC teams to zero in on exact moments in time during the production process and to track shipments with real-time GPS, offering greatly enhanced capabilities and recording. These platforms allow teams on both ends to co-ordinate and respond faster than ever before to issues. The area of AI and digitization is a separate topic with massive implications, but suffice to say that data is power and from consumers all the way back to the producer, transparency creates common ground. Put simply, the more consumers understand how we make things, the better it is for everyone.

When it comes to sustainability, the plastics industry is no longer trying to keep up with consumer demands and expectations, we are leading new ground through research and the adoption of emerging technologies. Today, there can be no trade-off between performance and sustainability: manufacturers and their customers expect both. It is by integrating technical teams across producer and manufacturer that we gain the boots-on-the-ground reality of what is required, what is possible, and what optimizations are required on both ends. Through communication and a shared vision of what success looks like, we are delivering on products with increased recyclability, lighter weight, more durable, and extremely flexible.

David Marnalse is a Senior Account Manager at Heartland Polymers. With over 25 years in the industry, he is committed to delivering a new and more efficient customer experience to help industry meet the challenges of modern production.

Julio Muzquiz is the Technical Services Supervisor at Heartland Polymers. He brings unparalleled technical expertise to Heartland backed by more than 25 years of providing polyolefins technical support for High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Linear Low Density Polyethylene (LLDPE), and Polypropylene (PP) resins.

The brand, first launched in 1949, has also added a new variety of microwaveable cups to the Minute Rice lineup – Mexican-style rice.

Photo © Meg Moon

“Minute Rice’s new campaign and refreshed packaging embody the timeless essence of the brand while embracing the contemporary needs of today’s consumers,” Garima Jain Patodia, senior brand manager of rice portfolio for Riviana said.

“The brand relaunch not only reflects our commitment to quality and convenience but also demonstrates our dedication to ensuring Canadians can enjoy reliable and fulfilling meals, whether they are cooking for themselves, their family or even hosting friends,” she added.

Patodia further said the brand recognizes that Canadians are changing, and they are focusing on the needs of the younger generation.

“Gen-Z and millennials are going into new life stages and have more purchasing power…our instant and microwavable cups fit right into their lifestyles,” she said.

Photo © Meg Moon

Minute Rice organized an intimate dinner at Patois in downtown Toronto to celebrate the brand’s relaunch. CTV’s Milk Masters’ judge Chef Craig Wong fused his signature Caribbean and Asian dishes with Minute Rice’s kitchen staples and created dishes Like Pearl Siu Mai Dumplings, Crispy Hoisin and Sesame Chicken Wings, Oxtail Gravy Glazed Spiced Ham Musubi, Honey And Maggi Beef Short Ribs, Juicy Jerk Chicken, Popcorn Shrimp Fried Rice, Jamaican Coleslaw and Yeast-Raised Beignets.

“Minute Rice is such a great product because you’re never going to end up with something overcooked or undercooked…all the hard part is done for you,” Wong said.

“I (am) proud of Ranger. He fused the rice into rum, and it had all the nuttiness from sesame and a bit of mango. You can do anything that you want with this product and it’s really fun to cook with at the same time,” he added.

Photo © Meg Moon

Michael Ranger, bartender at Patois, created ‘The Patois Minute’ cocktail made with Minute Rice-infused rum, sesame, coconut, mango and nutmeg. Other beverages in the drinks menu were Patois Rum Punch cocktail, Domaine Gayda Syrah-France red wine, Domaine Gayda Viogner-France white wine, Red Stripe beer and Fresh Jelly Coconut and Jamaican Soda in non-alcoholic drinks.

“This global branded plastic pollution data speaks for itself and demonstrates unequivocally that the world’s top global producers are the biggest plastics polluters,” said the study’s co-author Dr. Tony Walker of Dal’s School for Resource and Environmental Studies.

For more than five years, citizen scientists in dozens of countries combed beaches, waterways, parks, busy city streets and other public areas to quantify the amount of plastic waste in the environment and track its source.

They recorded the brand or trademark on each plastic item and the number of items with those brands wherever possible, also noting the location, date, type of plastic, type of item, number of plastic layers and time of each audit event, which ran from 2018 to 2022.

Researchers synthesized those results and found a clear link between plastic production and plastic pollution, such that a one-per-cent increase in plastic production was associated with a one-per-cent increase in plastic pollution in the environment.

The team also determined that companies producing single-use consumer goods disproportionately contributed to the problem more than household and retail companies, and that most collected items had no discernible brand.

“We were surprised to find that the direct relationship between plastic production and plastic pollution was consistent around the world, irrespective of whether the litter audits were conducted in the global north or global south,” added Dr. Walker, noting that plastic production doubled to about 400 metric tons from 2000 to 2019. “This confirms that companies responsible for omnipresent plastic pollution is consistent no matter where you live.”

The study also discovered that about 52 per cent of the more than two million inventoried plastic items had no identifiable brand, highlighting the need for better transparency about production and labeling of plastic products to enhance traceability and accountability. The researchers suggest creating an international, open-access database into which companies are obliged to quantitatively track and report their products, packaging and brands.

“When I first saw the relationship between production and pollution, I was shocked,” said co-author Win Cowger of the Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research. “Despite all the things big brands say they are doing, we see no positive impact from their efforts. But on the other hand, it gives me hope that reducing plastic production by fast-moving consumer goods companies will have a strong positive impact on the environment.”

The five-year analysis used data from 1,576 audit events in 84 countries. More than 100,000 volunteers submitted data through Break Free from Plastic or the 5 Gyres’ TrashBlitz app.

“Findings from this study suggest we need a paradigm shift in how we regulate plastic producers, especially the top branded producers that are responsible for half of branded plastic pollution,” said Dr. Walker.

The registry requires plastic resin manufacturers, producers of plastic products, and service providers to report each year on the quantity and types of plastic they put on the Canadian market and how that plastic moves through the economy. This tool will provide Canadians with reliable data that will identify opportunities for further action to reduce plastic waste and pollution, as well as help monitor progress over time. Reporting will be phased in over time and by sector. The categories covered by the registry include packaging, single-use and disposable products, construction, transportation, electronics and electrical equipment, tires, textiles and apparel, fishing and aquaculture equipment, and agriculture and horticulture equipment.

Producers of plastic products and service providers will also be required to report on the quantity of plastic collected and diverted, reused, repaired, remanufactured, refurbished, recycled, processed into chemicals, composted, incinerated, and landfilled. They will also be required to report on the amount of plastic waste generated on their industrial, commercial, and institutional premises.

Reporting to the Federal Plastics Registry will start in September 2025, requiring reporting on plastic placed on the market in three categories for the 2024 calendar year.

In 2026, reporting requirements for resin manufacturers and importers will be added, as well as reporting on plastic placed on the market for the remaining categories. In 2026, reporting on plastic waste generated at industrial, commercial, and institutional facilities, plastic collected at end-of-life, as well as plastic sent for diversion and disposal for some categories, will also be introduced.

In 2027, additional reporting requirements on plastics collected and sent for diversion and disposal for more categories will be added.

Through the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste, the federal, provincial, and territorial governments agreed to develop and maintain Canada-wide data on how plastic moves through the economy. The Federal Plastics Registry supports this commitment and publicly provides critical data to inform and support Canada’s shared plan to address plastic waste and pollution.

“Canadians expect the Government of Canada to take action to reduce plastic waste and pollution, and we are delivering on our commitment. The Federal Plastics Registry is a practical tool that will help track plastics across the economy, inform future actions, and measure progress to reduce plastic waste and pollution,” said Steven Guilbeault, Environment and Climate Change Minister.

The costs and inconveniences around the application of draft regulations could push certain manufacturers out of the Quebec market, Etienne Sanz de Acedo, CEO of the International Trademark Association, said in a recent interview.

“Companies will have to ask themselves the question, is it really relevant to be in the Quebec market,” said Sanz de Acedo, whose group represents 6,500 companies across 181 jurisdictions. Some firms, he added, might decide they’re better off pulling their products from the province, leaving consumers with less choice.

And if there are fewer products on the market, consumers will lose out, he said, because “that means certain companies will have more opportunity to raise their prices, because if there is less choice, the prices are higher.”

The draft regulations are a result of Quebec’s language reform, known as Bill 96, adopted in May 2022, which strengthens French-language requirements across many sectors of Quebec’s economy. Sanz de Acedo said his association is “concerned” about several aspects of the proposed rules, including the requirement that words engraved on products must be translated into French.

In its brief to the government, the association uses the example of the interior drawer of a washing machine, where the various compartments are engraved in English for such things as detergents and softeners. Translating these markings, Sanz de Acedo said, are more complex than translating a user manual.

“Manufacturers would have to change their manufacturing moulds,” he said. “If a manufacturer has to change its manufacturing method exclusively for the Quebec market, that would entail considerable costs for a company.”

Sanz de Acedo said the companies he represents are also concerned about the obligation to translate descriptions on product packaging that are part of a registered trademark, and about the costs and deadlines associated with applying rules on commercial signage.

Businesses with storefronts in Quebec have until June 1, 2025, to ensure French occupies a space on signage that is “twice as large” as another language, according to a draft regulation published on Jan. 10.

Sanz de Acedo stressed that he supports the principle of protecting the French language. “I’m French,” he said. “I will always defend the interests of the French language.”

But he said the proposed rules could violate Canadian intellectual property law and World Trade Organization agreements signed by Canada, namely the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade and the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. As well, he said, the language reform “raises serious questions” about the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement.

Sanz de Acedo’s association is not alone in its reservations. In January, the Biden administration expressed concerns about “the potential consequences on American businesses” of the draft regulation as part of a meeting between senior officials from the United States and Canada.

Last week, Jean-François Roberge, minister responsible for the French language, told reporters that the government is taking all the comments about its proposed rules into consideration “so that the regulations are properly applied.”

“Ideally, all the services that are currently available remain available,” he said.

However, Roberge added, Quebecers have the right to be served in French, to have consumer products labelled in French so that Quebecers can understand what they are buying, and to know what is inside products. “I don’t think that is negotiable,” he said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 26, 2024.

According to the Government of Canada’s website, Canadians throw away over 3 million tonnes of plastic waste every year, while only nine per cent is recycled. How can manufacturers balance food safety concerns with the government mandate for phasing out plastic food packaging?

In a statement, Food and Beverage Canada (FBC) said, “While we align with the government’s objectives in plastic waste reduction, we have reservations about the potential unintended consequences stemming from the current approach.”

“We all agree that we should be cutting back on the use of plastics,” says Kristina Farrell, CEO, FBC. “There are plastic alternatives for some packaged goods and not others. There are no alternatives for plastic film to safely package meats. The current plastic packaging, which includes transparent multilayer packaging, enables consumers to inspect products for things such as quality and cut. The material itself has low gas permeability, which promotes extended shelf life. Right now there is no viable alternative to this packaging material. Additionally, the blood and tissue often remaining on the packaging after its disposal would still make it unrecyclable, regardless of whether the material itself was more environmentally friendly.”

“There are multiple ways to address plastic packaging without eradicating it completely. We need to take a systemized approach,” says Martin Gooch, CEO of Value Chain Management International. “We’ve taken decades to be right where we are, and it’s been allowed to evolve. Things have changed since the 1950s and 60s when produce was sold loose. It was available only seasonally. You only could buy strawberries in summer. Salads didn’t come in a convenience bag. Families shopped more than once a week, so shelf life was less of an issue. Today, there are no standardized specifications when it comes to plastic packaging. It’s the system that needs to be changed.”

At this point, there are no alternatives for plastic film to safely package meat. Photo © Алексей Филатов / Adobe Stock

Possible solutions

Plastic has been considered a low-value product, and to create perceived value, more complexity has been added to plastic packaging than necessary. This has had repercussions. Gooch gives an example by saying, “PET [polyethylene terephthalate] is a recyclable plastic. Let’s say you produce a PET water bottle. Once a PVC [polyvinylidene chloride] cap is placed on top, it limits its recyclability.”

One solution Gooch points to is the standardization of plastic polymers. “This could mean using fewer polymers or making multi-layer laminates out of the same polymers. Up to this point,  there has been no incentive for this to be done. I am fully in support of reducing plastics; it just has to be achieved in a well-thought-out way.”

The Canada Plastics Pact (CPP) is tackling plastic pollution with plastic-related solutions. “There isn’t one solution but a portfolio of solutions. Packaging for food is a challenge. It requires technical solutions that maintain product integrity, shelf life, and product food safety. Brands use packaging to communicate their consumer proposition,” says Cher Mereweather, managing director, CPP. “One really important element is what happens to the plastic after we are done with it. Today, we are focused on the big challenges that companies cannot achieve on their own.”

The Golden Design Rules were created to facilitate less plastic packaging, while using more easier-to-recycle plastic for packaging. Photo © weyo / Adobe Stock

Mereweather points to the Golden Design Rules. These rules for plastic packaging were developed by Consumer Goods Forum’s Coalition for Action on Plastic Waste, for which Galen Weston is the co-chair, along with Alexis Perakis-Valat, president, Consumer Products Division, L’Oreal.

The nine Golden Design Rules were established to facilitate less plastic packaging, while also using more plastic packaging that is easier to recycle by 2025. This includes increasing the value of PET recycling; PET thermoformed trays and other PET thermoformed, as well as flexible consumer packaging, such as the packaging for frozen produce, and rigid HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and PP (polypropylene) used for products such as laundry soap and dairy tubs.

Another rule involves the removal of problematic elements such as PVC or PVDC (polyvinylidene dichloride), which can disrupt recycling in some types of packaging. The plastic film used in vegetables and meat trays are usually manufactured from PVC or PVDC. Other elements under this umbrella include undetectable carbon black, EPS (expanded polystyrene), PS (polystyrene), PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol), and oxo-degradable plastics.

Reducing plastic waste involves rules governing the elimination of excess packaging headspace, with a stipulation of a 30 per cent maximum guideline, the reduction of overwraps, and reduced virgin plastic use in B2B plastic packaging. Finally, to guide consumers, there is a packaging rule to include recycling or reuse instructions on all consumer plastic packaging.

Omnia Packaging, the Canadian-based industrial plant owned by Italy’s Gruppo Sunino, operates two production divisions. One is for plastic, producing only 100 per cent recyclable packaging, and the other is for paper.

“We are different because our plastic food packaging is made with PP,” explains Monica Viazzo, who represents Omnia Packaging, in business development and marketing. “This is the purest polymer and the most recyclable one. We use 27 per cent less plastic in each tub we produce. This still guarantees the same shelf life for food. Additionally, we only use mould labelling using a monolayer of PP. This creates a clean, fully recyclable container.”

The research and development team at Omnia Packaging continues to develop moulds to support various packaging solutions that food and beverage manufacturers require, such as for ready-made meals, soups, sauces, dips, and cheese.

Solutions abound for keeping foods safe while reducing and recycling plastic. It will be interesting to see how food and beverage manufacturers as well as governments tackle the plastic problem.

“At Georgian Bay, our commitment to protecting the environment is at the core of everything we do. We’re thrilled to unveil the launch of Canada’s first-ever paper spirit bottle hitting shelves this spring,” shares Denzil Wadds, Georgian Bay Spirit co-founder. “The new Georgian Bay Eco-Friendly Gin, meticulously crafted with a unique blend of botanicals, are packaged in lightweight, 100 per cent recycled paperboard bottles. These innovative bottles not only showcase our dedication to sustainability, but also boast a carbon footprint six times lower than traditional glass bottles.”

The Eco-Friendly Gin is a special botanical forward blend using 99.7 per cent of gin inputs locally sourced from Ontario.

“We’re taking our commitment a step further. For every bottle sold, we pledge to plant a tree, contributing to the reforestation efforts and making a positive impact on our planet,” shares Amy Smith, Georgian Bay Spirit’s marketing head. “We are proud to be at the forefront of environmental change-makers in beverage alcohol and want Canada to join us on this journey towards a greener future, one sip at a time.”

The foundation of the company’s future vision is K-Rounds plastic-free pods. The pods are created from roasted coffee beans that are ground, pressed and wrapped in a proprietary, protective plant-based coating preserving the coffee’s flavour and aroma, eliminating the need for plastic or aluminum.

K-Rounds plastic-free pods will work in the new Keurig Alta brewer. The company will begin beta testing the Alta brewer in fall 2024.

The development of the Keurig Alta brewer and K-Rounds plastic-free pods is the result of a multi-year innovation project which incorporates significant intellectual property in beverage, pod, appliance and manufacturing design and processes. As part of this intellectual property portfolio, KDP has acquired a perpetual license to know-how and technology invented by Delica Switzerland for their CoffeeB system in Europe, including a proprietary plant-based coating and application processes. KDP’s partnership with Delica grants Keurig exclusive rights to use and build upon these technologies for consumers across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

“This transition to 100 per cent rPET represents a significant commitment to soften Califia’s environmental footprint,” said Dave Ritterbush, CEO at Califia Farms. “While Califia is an inherently sustainable business thanks to the plant-based products we produce, we recognize the importance of ongoing, forward progress in our sustainability journey. By moving to 100 per cent rPET for our iconic curvy bottle, we’re taking a major step in reducing our reliance on virgin plastic and advancing the principles of a circular economy.”

Califia Farms clarifies that the plastic cap and sleeve don’t use 100 per cent rPET materials.

The federal government’s plastic reduction agenda began with a ban on single-use plastics. Companies are required to reduce plastics, especially hard-to-recycle ones, and eliminate can and bottle ring carriers, checkout bags, cutlery, foodservice ware, stir sticks and straws. The Single Use Plastic Prohibition Regulation allowed a change to Canadian Environmental Protection Act’s (CEPA’s) Toxic Substances List and included Manufactured Plastics in it. However, the legislation was overturned by the Federal Court in November 2023.

The regulation and the repeal for the plastics ban hinged on the word, ‘toxicity’. The meaning of toxicity for food safety practitioners is different from how it is defined under CEPA. Food safety practitioners see a chemical hazard as something potentially injurious to human consumers. Under CEPA, the term, ‘toxicity,’ extends to chemicals and materials with the potential for enduring environmental harm.

Under section 64 in CEPA, the definition is, “a substance is toxic if it is entering or may enter the environment in a quantity or concentration or under conditions that (a) have or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity; (b) constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends; or (c) constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.”

In food safety, using CODEX Alimentarius’s glossary, the words, ‘toxin’ or ‘toxic,’ only emerge with relation to pesticides and veterinary chemicals. Hazards are “a biological, chemical or physical agent in, or condition of, food with the potential to cause an adverse health effect.” Toxins can be acute, causing short-term immediate impacts, or they can be long term and chronic where exposure is small.

Plastics approved for food contact use are not inherently toxic to human health and have had been evaluated by Health Canada for safe use. The issue is not plastic in its standard form. Microplastics are emerging as a major area of concern for human health, as well as a concern in environmental contamination. Researchers are investigating the potential toxicity and long-term effects of microplastics. The science in this field is relatively new. Environmental microplastics were only first described in the early 2000s. Pubmed’s academic literature database indicates very minor uses of the term, ‘microplastics,’ in research literature before 2011. However, the term was referenced in almost 4000 articles in 2023. The science on microplastics has not yet created any direct causal links to toxicity, but many strong theories are being investigated.

This reframing of risk assessment, where human health is aligned with environmental health and sustainability, will have major implications for food safety management systems. Food safety practitioners who have followed its history can appreciate this potential movement. Threat assessment or TACCP came into force within the United States when terrorist threats to the food system and deliberate adulteration became a hazard. BRCGS has a standard for ethical trade and responsible sourcing. GFSI has developed a Sustainable Supply Chain Initiative to benchmark social compliance. It has set requirements such as no forced and prison labour, no child labour, freedom of association and rights to collective bargaining for workers, no discrimination and abuse, application of health and safety systems, application of building and fire safety codes, fair wages and employment practices, fair working hours, and ability to grieve working conditions. GFSI indicates they will have an environmental standard coming out in the near future. Encouraging or mandating food companies to consider environmental consequences as part of their quality management and supplier strategy is very likely in the future.

The food industry has an authentic need for plastics, and other lightweight barrier materials. Food safety and shelf-life extension are intrinsically tied to plastics use. The successful environmental transition to this is better plastics materials and better use and repurposing of existing plastics. Fortunately, we are seeing investments in this area.

Dr. Amy Proulx is professor and academic program co-ordinator for the Culinary Innovation and Food Technology programs at Niagara College, Ont. She can be reached at aproulx@niagaracollege.ca.

This column was originally published in the February/March 2024 issue of Food in Canada.

This predicament was the central theme of a recent consultation held by Food and Beverage Ontario (FBO). The event brought together stakeholders from across the supply chain (retail, packaging suppliers, government, etc.).

Chris Conway, CEO of FBO, kick started the discussion by highlighting the poor state of recycling infrastructure in the country. “A lot of infrastructure and technology for recycling packaging are required,” he said.

Kristina Farrell, CEO, Food and Beverage Canada, shared the task ahead for the food industry. As per the P2 notice, primary produce packaging must be recyclable, compostable, and reusable by 2028. She also highlighted studies that found consumers prefer eco-friendly packaging and would prefer reduced plastic in food packaging.

Doug Alexander, vice-president of sustainability and government relations at Belmont Food Group, added, “We all have a responsibility, and we want to do it good by the consumer. So, how do we reduce plastic in a sustainable manner without causing food-borne illnesses and hardship for consumers.” He also suggested that the heavy reliance on recycling plastics should be evaluated as the process could create microplastics.

Many food manufacturers then shared the challenges they have with the government mandate. This was followed by in-depth, frank conversations in groups. There were many takeaways, and it was heartening to see a representative from ECCC attend the meeting virtually and listen to the concerns.

Challenges on the road to sustainability

For food safety and shelf-life reasons, multi-layer films, shrink bags and flexible films are used to package different types of food products. These aren’t recyclable. Currently, there are no alternatives to these solutions. Where available, compostable packaging is three times the cost of traditional plastic packaging. Further, not all retailers accept compostable packaging. It’s also important to note that there are no industry/country -wide standards about what types of packaging are compostable, biodegradable, or recyclable. There’s also a concern that the actual time a packaging takes to compost may not match the local rules around it. This would result in creating compost with plastic residues. Contaminated compost cannot be sold in the premium category.

Another issue that was raised at the session was the lack of recycling-related standardization across provinces and municipalities. Packages may be considered recyclable in a specific province or municipality but not elsewhere. Additionally, there’s a scarcity of food-grade recycled plastic due to the non-availability of systems to create these types of materials. As everything in supply chain is integrated, the lack of recycling systems could partly be attributed to the absence of local buyers for recycled plastic.

MNC food companies have the added challenge of packaging that’s designed at a global level to meet regulations at most countries.

Most of the manufacturers present found the Canada Plastic Pact’s Golden Design Rules confusing. These rules were established to reduce the amount of virgin plastic in supply chain, but the definitions provided weren’t clear to the participants.

Participants stressed the need for governments to balance policy goals and have a clear understanding of the nuances, cost and challenges when legislating complex supply chains like the food industry.

Possible solutions

Until effective alternatives for plastic packaging are available, it might be prudent to use biodegradable plastics to limit the amount of plastics entering landfills.

Canada needs to build a sizeable inventory of food-grade recycled plastic.

An alternative to diverting plastic from landfills would be incinerating and converting them into energy. However, incinerating waste isn’t a catch-all solution. The industry must attempt to recycle as much as possible and convert the rest into energy.

We are continuing this discussion during our annual webinar series on Trends and Innovations in Food. On Thursday, May 2, 1-2 pm ET, we’ll be discussing this very issue on our webinar titled “The Next Wave of Food Packaging: Are You Ready?” I hope you can join this conversation. To register, click here.

“Andriani’s significant investment will spur growth throughout our province’s agri-food supply chains and help to further establish London as a hub for food production, technology and innovation,” said Premier Doug Ford. “Despite economic headwinds, companies, across all sectors, are choosing Ontario because of our competitive business environment, our access to markets and our world-class workforce.”

Andriani’s investment will be used to build a new, 61,225-sf facility to make gluten-allergen and GMO-free pasta. Once the new facility is operational, Andriani plans to manufacture products for the North American market in Ontario instead of importing products from Italy.

As part of this investment, the Ontario government is providing Andriani with $1.5 million through the Regional Development Program’s (RDP’s) Southwestern Ontario Development Fund.

“We want to thank Ontario for this recognition and the support offered so far,” said Michele Andriani, Andriani group president and CEO. “We share with Ontario a vision of a future driven by innovation and shared value. In London, we found the premises to ground the next steps of our international development, which aims at increasing the potential of having a positive impact on people’s lives through food innovation: highly qualified and professional people, focus and investments on food innovation, sustainability and regenerative agricultural practices and overall a competitive agricultural and food business ecosystem.”

The Ontario government is also investing in Stanpac, a manufacturer of dairy, food and beverage packaging for businesses around the world. With an investment of over $35 million in advanced equipment, robotics, and upgrades, Stanpac will increase the efficiency of its facility in Smithville, Ont., including creating a machine shop to service all machinery in-house. The project is supported by more than $3.3 million in funding through the RDP and will create 30 new jobs.

St. David’s Cold Storage, a company that provides cold, freezer and ambient storage solutions to food and beverage manufacturers, is investing $9 million to expand its facility and double its refrigerated storage space. This will include one of the first CO₂-based refrigerant systems in Canada, as well as additional upgrades to limit energy consumption, helping the company to scale up their operations to begin exporting. The project is supported by over $1.3 million in funding through the RDP and will create seven new jobs for recent graduates and local young professionals.

Applications are now being accepted for the next intake round of RDP funding until January 25, 2024.

Protein types included store-purchased breaded shrimp, minced pollock, fish sticks, white Gulf shrimp (headless/shell-on), Key West pink shrimp (headless/shell-on), Alaska Pollock fillets (skinless), chicken nuggets, top sirloin steaks, pork loin chops, chicken breasts, plant-based nuggets, plant-based fish sticks, plant-based ground beef, and tofu blocks.

While scientists have long documented the presence of microplastics in the digestive tracts of commercial fish and shellfish like salmon, halibut and oysters, there has been little research into whether these microplastics are entering the filets of the fish – the parts that are actually eaten by people; and little research into terrestrial protein sources like beef and chicken that make up a large part of the American diet. In this study, microplastics were found in all 16 protein types tested, suggesting humans are likely eating microplastics no matter the source of protein they choose. Further, there were no statistical differences in microplastic concentrations between land- and ocean-sourced proteins.

“This is a startling reminder of just how prolific plastic pollution has become – humans live on land and yet, seafood samples are just as likely to be contaminated with plastics as are terrestrial-derived proteins,” said study co-author Dr. Britta Baechler, a marine biologist and associate director of Plastics Science at Ocean Conservancy. “There’s no escaping them no matter what you eat, it seems. The plastic pollution crisis is impacting all of us, and we need to take action to address its many forms.”

The study found evidence that food processing is a likely source of microplastic contamination, as highly processed protein products (e.g. fish sticks, chicken nuggets, tofu, and plant-based burgers, among others) contained significantly more microplastics per gram than minimally processed products (e.g. packaged wild Alaska pollock, raw chicken breast, and others). However, no statistical difference was found between high-processed products and fresh-caught products, suggesting food processing is not the only source of microplastic contamination and opening avenues for further research.

“It’s tempting to want to draw conclusions like ‘eat less of this and more of that’ to avoid microplastics in your diet; but right now we still know very little about the microplastic burdens in commonly consumed foods. Our study adds to this knowledge but also demonstrates the need for further research to better understand the bigger picture, including where these microplastics are coming from and the potential human health risks,” said primary co-author Madeleine Milne, who conducted the research while at the Rochman Lab at the University of Toronto in 2022.

Notably, across all samples, nearly half (44 per cent) of the identified microplastics were fibres, which is consistent with other studies suggesting that fibres are the most prevalent form of microplastic in the environment. About a third of the microplastics (30 per cent) were plastic fragments.

Using survey data from a separate study by Ocean Conservancy and the University of Toronto (to be published in Frontiers in Marine Science), the authors estimate an American adult will consume, on average, 11,500 microplastics per year. Annual exposure could be as high as 3.8 million microplastics per year if calculated using the highest levels of microplastics found in each individual protein type and the average reported protein consumption rates.

“As ocean scientists, my co-authors and I are deeply concerned about the growing plastics crisis in the world’s ocean,” said Dr. George Leonard, Ocean Conservancy’s chief scientist and a co-author of the study. “But our study shows that plastics in our food goes well beyond fish and shellfish to a wide variety of other protein sources, as well. Our work is a call to action to reduce plastic pollution in its many forms to ensure a safe and healthy food supply for all consumers.”

Effective resumes contain information about a candidate’s education, skills, and requirements to help prospective employers identify interviewees; similarly, a certain level of information is required to help consumers understand the benefit of sustainable products. In some of my recent collaborative work, I explored strategies to increase consumer acceptance of aquaponics, a sustainable food production system where fish and vegetables are grown in the same water-circulating system to reduce inputs while maximizing outputs.¹ When consumers were given a brief description of aquaponics, they preferred wild-caught fish. However, when a detailed description of the fishing methods was provided, their purchase intention for aquaponic fish exceeded that of wild-caught fish. Interestingly, the increase in purchase intention was driven by the impact of the message on expected tastiness and healthiness. Sustainability messages often create a ‘halo’ effect, a phenomenon when positive feelings created by one attribute elevate the perception of unrelated attributes. Strategic education about sustainability benefits can positively improve a product’s appeal in areas beyond the environmental benefits alone.

After preparing a basic resume, savvy jobseekers will seek to understand the goals and values of the prospective company. Likewise, it is critical to understand the values and beliefs of the target consumer. We recently demonstrated that the impact of a sustainability message depends on the characteristics of the person receiving it. ² For example, text messages promoting plant-based eating had a bigger impact on intention to reduce meat and increase plant protein consumption when the person receiving it valued health, thought that plant-based eating was morally the right thing to do, and when they felt like others would approve of their plant-based eating. Recently, we explored how an increasingly prominent personal identity—political ideology—could influence sustainable food choices.³ We found that U.S. liberals were more open to plant-based meat alternatives than conservatives. Beyond simply intending to purchase plant-based meat alternatives more often, U.S. liberals expected the products to even taste better. Since taste experiences are connected with value systems, strategic messages resonating with the target consumer may improve sensory experiences. Understanding the consumer is a key to choosing the right promotional sustainability message.

After researching a potential employer, many job candidates will tailor their resume to highlight how their experiences can best meet the position requirements. Likewise, foods and beverages will be more successful if the product’s value aligns with the sustainability claim. Consumers ‘hire’ products for different purposes—sometimes the food must meet a functional need such as ‘fuller longer’ or ‘healthy snack’ while other times it may have a more hedonic function such as ‘indulgent dessert’. Therefore, the effectiveness of product claims will differ by product category. For example, organic is a popular claim that appeals to many consumers. However, adding an organic certification does not always increase product appeal. Although an organic seal generally does increase improve acceptance of products marketed as a healthy choice, it can actually lower the evaluation of products that promise an indulgent experience or an ingredient-specific functional benefit.⁴ We recently found that effect of framing a substantively identical claim with either a self or environment-focused claim depended on the product type.⁵ Framing the environmental claim as a personal benefit worked better when the product’s purpose was hedonic (brownies). Likewise, when the product had a more functional use (granola), framing the claim as “better for the environment” worked better. We hypothesize that the “better for you” claim worked better for an indulgent product because people ‘hire’ brownies for a more egotistic reason and thus a self-focused claim complemented the goal of consuming the product. Claims supporting (rather than distracting from) the product’s value proposition will be more successful.

Credibility and trust are also critical to a successful message. Many consumers are skeptical and unsure about what sustainability claims mean. Therefore, building trust in the brand and company are key prerequisites to effective messages. It is important to also ‘walk the walk’ and not just ‘talk the talk’. Companies should examine their culture and how other aspects of the brand align with sustainability.

Each of these examples illustrate how crafting the right message, for the right consumer, for the right product can strengthen the evidence that the product meets the ‘minimum qualifications’ of taste and quality that consumers seek when ‘hiring’ a food or beverage. By remembering that consumers primarily buy food to eat it (not necessarily to save the planet), environmental benefits can be framed so that they also support the product experience. Aligning sustainability with consumer’s product ‘job descriptions’ can support a food system that is both environmentally and economically sustainable.

References

¹ Kralik, B., Weisstein, F., Meyer, J., Neves, K., Anderson, D., & Kershaw, J. (2022). From water to table: A multidisciplinary approach comparing fish from aquaponics with traditional production methods. Aquaculture, 552, 737953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2022.737953.

² Lim, T. J., Okine, R. N., & Kershaw, J. C. (2021). Health- or Environment-Focused Text Messages as a Potential Strategy to Increase Plant-Based Eating among Young Adults: An Exploratory Study. Foods, 10(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/foods10123147.

³ Research currently under review.

⁴ Nadricka, K., Millet, K., & Verlegh, P. W. J. (2020). When organic products are tasty: Taste inferences from an Organic = Healthy Association. Food Quality and Preference, 83, 103896. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodqual.2020.103896.

⁵ Weisstein, F. L., Meyer, J., & Kershaw, J. (2023). A matter of alignment? Effects of product types and environmental claim framing on consumer evaluation of sustainable foods. Business Strategy and the Environment (n/a). https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3565.

Jonathan Kershaw is an associate professor of food and nutrition at Bowling Green State University.

This article was originally published in the November/December 2023 issue of Food in Canada.

Biodegradation describes the process of breaking material down into natural substances within a certain timeframe after disposal. When biodegradation occurs under different conditions, different terms are used, such as composting, anaerobic digestion, and biodegradation in soil and in marine water.

A variety of bio-based materials can be used for packaging. Cellulose is derived from cotton, trees, hemp, and wood pulp. It can be made into bag applications for dried fruits, biscuits, rice, dried beans, pasta, tea leaves, coffee beans, sweets, and herbs. Mushroom packaging can be made by mixing fungus sprouts or mycelia with seedlings or other residues from agriculture. Mycelium is lightweight and easy to mold. Its properties are similar to Styrofoam. Bagasse is a pulpy residue left over from crushed sugarcane stalks. It can be made into foodservice packaging. Coconut husk can be pressed and formed into packaging, which can often look like cardboard. Chitin is the polysaccharide found in the shells of shrimps and other crustaceans. Chitin with fibroin (an insoluble protein found in silkworms) makes a plastic-like material that can be used to develop a biodegradable alternative for food packaging. A biodegradable and edible product can be made from brown seaweed extract and calcium chloride to create a gel-like material. It can be used to replace plastic bottles with an edible water container.

Bioplastics

Bioplastics are a type of plastic that is bio-based and biodegradable. Two examples of bioplastics are polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). PLA is a type of polyester made from fermented starch from corn, cassava, maize, sugarcane, or sugar beet pulp. PHA is a polyester synthesized directly by fermentation of a carbon substrate inside a micro-organism. PLA and PHA are used as conventional plastic packaging alternatives. PLA is often used for plastic films, bottles, food and deli containers, salad boxes, coffee cups, and compostable cutlery. PHA is used for single-use packaging for foods, beverages, and consumer products.

Not all bio-based plastics are biodegradable. Bio-based plastics are defined as materials for which at least a portion of the material is produced from renewable raw materials. Common commodity plastics like polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, and polypropylene have been manufactured from fermentation byproducts of biological feedstocks such as sugarcane, sugar beets, and corn. Although bio-based, these plastics are chemically identical to petrochemical-based plastics and therefore not biodegradable.

There are environmental benefits for using bio-based packaging. Bio-based packaging is made from renewable plant sources. Unlike petroleum-based materials, feedstocks from plant-based materials remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during their growing phase, thus reducing the carbon footprint of the material. Plant-based products can help reduce landfill waste by offering recycling and composability options. Plant-based alternatives to traditional plastics, along with improved collection infrastructure, can prevent litter from ending up in water bodies.

Bio-based packaging is under constant development with the objective of overcoming resource depletion and counteracting plastics pollution. Transparency about environmentally friendly packaging will allow consumers to make informed purchasing and disposal decisions. Package functionality and end-of-life disposal should be considered during the innovation process. New tech for the production of bio-based materials using urban, agricultural, and food waste as feedstock will establish a sustainable production value chain for the future design of bio-based packaging.

Carol Zweep is food consulting manager for NSF. Contact her at czweep@nsf.org.

This column was originally published in the November/December 2023 issue of Food in Canada.

“The purpose of adding approximately 25 per cent more space to our current square footage,” explains Stephen Peters, company president, “is to keep up with co-packing and storage demands for the growing sectors of liquor, food and beverage, and beyond.”

The facility has AGLC License, Excise Warehouse License, Food Handling Permit, and NHP Site License. The space is also air-conditioned for storage or re-pack production that prefers cooler-than-ambient temperatures.

Having traceability at all stages of seafood processing means being able to document a product’s path from catch through to final customer. In other words, a seafood company can prove a product’s provenance, sustainability, and safety at each step in the process. Traceability also enables businesses to demonstrate responsible sourcing practices and compliance with government regulations, which gives consumers more confidence in the business.

Unfortunately, mislabelling and fraud have become common in the seafood sector in practices such as species substitution, incorrect weights for products, and misrepresentation of a product’s origin. Without some form of transparent traceability system, companies may face health and contamination concerns, as well as legal measures such as fines or other penalties.

Governments and organizations are working to improve label accuracy through certifications and standardization. There are technologies for tracking products, such as barcodes, QR codes, and other digital markers, but because of their format, they have traditionally had limited use in the seafood sector. New technology coming onto the market hopes to address those barriers, and boost their use, while adding greater automation to the seafood processing sector.

ThisFish

Vancouver, B.C.-based ThisFish, which now operates globally, provides TallyVision, an artificial intelligence solution for seafood traceability and production workflows designed to boost business efficiency, transparency, and compliance in seafood supply chains. The company’s software, combined with sensors and industrial hardware, such as scanners, digital scales, and computer vision technology, help seafood processing plants automate data collection and digitize information systems to produce real-time insights that can be used to improve traceability and quality control, while reducing waste. The software also provides for the use of QR code labels, allowing customers to track seafood through retailing and processing back to the farm or fishing vessel that harvested it.

Index Biosystems

Toronto’s Index Biosystems offers a different route toward traceability. The company uses biotechnology to turn baker’s yeast into microscopic biotags to trace products through the supply chain. In August 2022, Index Biosystems received funding through the Canadian Food Innovation Network’s (CFIN’s) Innovation Booster program to pilot a project with its automated biotag application system to tag and trace grain.

Mabel Systems

Another company offering fisheries and seafood processors help to both manage inventory and trace the movement of products through the supply chain is Sydney, N.S.-based Mabel Systems. Mabel provides a data capture platform that allows seafood companies to digitize receiving and production, giving them more control over inventory, food safety, and demand forecasting, while allowing for accurate, real-time tracking of products. When combined with hardware such as advanced computer vision technology, the software allows processors to easily share information with retail customers, consumers, and regulators.

As more fish and seafood companies turn to innovative technology for improving efficiencies and compliance while alleviating concerns about fraud and mislabelling, consumers will continue to benefit with fully traceable products and more information about the sector.

Nestor Gomez is chief technology officer for the Canadian Food Innovation Network (CFIN), a national, member-based organization stimulating transformative and transferrable innovation across the Canadian food sector. Visit CFIN at www.cfin-rcia.ca.

“At Mazola, we believe in the thoughtful art of cooking. That’s why we’ve embraced change with our newly refreshed look. These labels aren’t just about aesthetics; they’re are a reflection of our commitment to helping shoppers make informed choices in the kitchen,”says Sandro D’Ascanio, general manager, ACH Food Companies, Canada.

Mazola’s new packaging acts as a practical guide for home cooks and chefs, with ‘great for’ recommendations on the front of the bottle, making it easy to choose the right oil for the right occasion.

This year hosted 1,200 exhibitors (30 per cent coming from abroad) while 10,000 meetings were scheduled.

The 2023 edition of Cibus Tec was opened by Franco Mosconi, president of Fiere Parma.

“Fiere di Parma is a special place, in which the authentic beauties of this country are periodically on display: art, antiques, tourism, good food. With Cibus Tec, however, it takes the visitor inside an ideal factory of the future in which one can experience first-hand all the processes – of very high technical depth – that bring the foods and drinks we consume daily to our tables,” says Mosconi. “All this gives enormous prominence to the foodtech supply chains and manufacturing excellence of our territory and of Italy as a whole, attracting highly qualified exhibitors and visitors from all over the world, certain of finding here in one place, the best and most advanced solutions, technologies and innovations for the food industry.”

Photo: Cibus Tec

The inauguration ceremony was an opportunity to present data from the first Cibus Tec machinery observatory for food & beverage, which aims to measure and monitor the size, performance, markets and competitiveness of the supply chain on international scale.

The meeting was concluded by Emanuele Di Faustino, head of industry, retail and services at Nomisma, who oversaw project.

“Despite the uncertain international macro-economic and geopolitical scenario, the opportunities for a further expansion of Italian exports of food and beverage technologies and machinery in the coming years are plausible. The market of greatest interest for Italian companies is certainly the United States, the main world importer (7 billion euros in 2022) and the first destination for Made in Italy exports (1.2 billion euros), a record destined to remain so in the future, thanks to an expanding food industry and significant growth rates in the demand for Italian machinery. Precisely in light of this strategic nature, the USA was the first market to be studied in depth within the newly created Machinery Observatory for Food & Beverage by Nomisma for Cibus Tec,” he said.

Many companies who operate in Canada were exhibitors at the show, including: bioMerieux, Honeywell, Kronen GMBH and Provisur Technologies, to name a few.

The Italian company, Bardiani Valves, opened a Canadian distribution office in Toronto in 2014. At the Bardiani booth, Food in Canada had a chance to speak with Andrea Genitrini, General Manager at Bardiani about the show and Italian/Canadian ties. 

“At this edition of the trade show we decided to invite our biggest Canadian partners to our Parma facility. We try to open up in the same way they opened to us when we first came to Canada. We hope to share Italy with them like a local.” 

Bardiani hosted an evening of education and networking on October 24 at their Parma plant. There were presentations on their machinery and equipment, with the team available to explain the features and advantages of new technologies. 

Various events took place during the week, one of the conferences scheduled was organized by the Order of Food Technologists from Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, and Umbria.

“The Impact of Circular Economy on Food Safety” roundtable discussion provided insights into the importance of food safety in companies adopting sustainable practices such as reducing their carbon footprint, fighting food waste, food redistribution, and waste management. The seminar concluded a three-day event hosted by the Order, in collaboration with Cibus Tec, which focused on current regulations and innovations in food, from functional foods to cultured meat, from insect-based products to plant-based products, and clean-label offerings.

In celebration of the 120^th anniversary of the International Milk Federation and the Italian Committee, a discussion took place aimed at giving voice to the dairy industry. The goal was to share business experiences and strategic directions to collectively tackle upcoming challenges.

Demo line. Photo: Cibus Tec

Walking through the conference halls, machines were spotted in action; moving in rapid speed, zipping vacuum sealed cheese and other products down converter belts with precision. 

In Hall 2, three automated production lines were showcased. One was dedicated to a traditional Italian bakery product, ‘pinsa,’ which has experienced a surge in popularity in recent years. The processes of mixing, forming, and packaging the finished product were designed to optimise production, minimise waste, and ensure precise weight accuracy.

A second line replicated the processes of portioning and packaging hard and semi-hard cheeses. The initial step was cutting, a process that could be conducted with different diameters and heights, resulting in products with fixed geometry or calibrated weight. The portioned cheese was transported to a quality control system that employed 2D and 3D analysis to examine the product both dimensionally and cosmetically. Safety at work was also considered in this line, with specific stainless steel protections safeguarding tasks performed by human operators.

The third line replicated the packaging of ‘Doypack’ bags, applied to candies (though the process is versatile). An aspirator transported the sweets to a 10-head weigher, which could adjust the product dosage as needed for packaging. The packaging machine featured both a bag loader with servo-assisted pick and place and a system for discarding unopened or improperly positioned packages. The line integrated an electronic gas mixer in direct communication with the machine, minimising consumption. At this stage, packages passed through an in-line sealing integrity control system, ensuring food safety and product quality.

Start up arena. Photo: Cibus Tec

In Hall 4, at the Cibus Tec Digital Factory, visitors entered the world of Industry 5.0, where digital technologies such as the industrial internet of things, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence optimised production efficiency, streamlined maintenance and training operations, made production more sustainable, and enabled new post-sales business models for machine manufacturers.

Mechanics for the F&B industry is an area of focus in Italian manufacturing; with over 2,100 active companies and 61,000 employees, the sector generated a turnover of 15.7 billion euros in 2022. Compared to 2019, turnover grew by 7.6 per cent, while the workforce recorded an increase of 11.7 per cent.

This industry also represents one of the Made in Italy sectors most suited to international markets, with exports of eight billion euros in 2022 (24.2 per cent compared to 2012). In the first six months of 2023, compared to the same period of 2022, the export trend is growing (+16.4 per cent), and at the end of 2023, it is estimated to close with a value of approximately 8.8 billion (+10 per cent compared to 2022).

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) published a Regulatory Framework Paper in April 2023, regarding recycled content and labelling. The recycled content requirements would exclude certain products, such as food-contact packaging other than beverage containers. The Framework notes that food-grade recycled resins are in limited supply for many types of food packaging. Beverage containers are included as “recycling processes producing food-grade PET and HDPE are relatively mature, and beverage bottles made from these resins have a proven ability to incorporate high levels of recycled content.”

The Framework also includes recyclability labelling requirements for all consumer-facing primary, secondary and e-commerce plastic packaging (including food) with limited exceptions. Regulated parties (e.g. manufactures, importers, brand owners) would be required to assess recyclability in each province or territory where the item is sold before placing the item on the market with the prescribed recyclability logo on the label. The Framework proposes a phased-in implementation, starting in 2026. However, the enacting regulations are not yet published, so the actual transition period is unknown. ECCC has indicated it will align as closely as possible to the compliance dates of Health Canada and CFIA’s food labelling co-ordination policy.

P2 Notice

In August, ECCC released a consultation for a pollution prevention planning notice (P2 Notice) for food-contact packaging, targeted at Canada’s largest grocery retailers. The P2 Notice is an alternative regulatory instrument aimed at reducing the environmental impact of food-contact packaging excluded from the recycled content requirements under the Framework. The P2 Notice would set targets related to recycled content; reduction, reuse, and redesign of primary food plastic packaging; and sale of products within reuse-refill systems, concentrated products, and products free of plastic packaging. Large grocery retailers would be required to prepare and implement a P2 plan to meet these targets. ECCC’s consultation notes these retailers are at the centre of the value chain and have the ability to engage with brands and suppliers to influence practices throughout the supply chain.

Proposed actions to reduce food plastic packaging must also be considered in light of the current food regulatory framework. The safety of food packaging materials is regulated under Part B Division 23 of the Food and Drug Regulations, and section 4 of the Food and Drugs Act, which has the effect of prohibiting the sale of food that may be harmful to the consumer, including due to its packaging.

There is currently no requirement for food packaging to obtain an approval. Companies may make a voluntary submission to obtain a letter of no objection if Health Canada considers the packaging acceptable from a food chemical safety perspective. Health Canada has, however, signalled its intent to move forward with a mandatory pre-market review program for food packaging materials as part of ECCC’s Zero Plastic Waste Agenda. The details of a mandatory program are not yet available, but Health Canada published revised guidelines for using recycled plastics in food packaging in March 2023 for determining safety and acceptability of post-consumer recycled plastics.

Food waste prevention

At the same time, there is growing consensus on the need to reduce food waste as another important step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food examined rising food costs in Canada, culminating in a report published in June 2023. One of the report recommendations was investigating eliminating best-before dates to reduce food waste, and ensuring plastic reduction requirements are attainable by extending the implementation timeline for a single-use plastics ban and ensuring commercially viable alternatives to plastics will be available in needed quantities.

Reducing plastic pollution is an important environmental priority, but it will have ripple effects. ECCC, Health Canada and CFIA must continue working collaboratively to ensure the Zero Plastic Waste Agenda doesn’t compromise food safety or lead to increasing food waste. 

Katrina Coughlin is a partner in the Ottawa office of Gowling WLG, specializing in food and drug regulatory law. Contact her at katrina.coughlin@gowlingwlg.com.

This column was originally published in the October 2023 issue of Food in Canada.

“With this transition, no virgin PET plastic will be used for our sparkling 500 ml bottles under normal circumstances going forward in Canada,” said Kurt Ritter, vice-president and general manager, sustainability, Coca-Cola North America. “We hope that transitioning our 500 ml sparkling portfolio to 100 per cent recycled plastic will increase the amount of high-quality, food-grade, recycled plastic available in Canada and, ultimately, enable us to offer more of our brands in this sustainable format.”

The shift supports the Coca-Cola Company’s World Without Waste goals to use at least 50 per cent recycled content in its packaging by 2030, and to reduce the use of virgin plastic.

Bottles made with 100 per cent recycled plastic create and sustain a circular economy for plastic packaging. Once the material (PET) is recycled, it is cleaned, sorted and ground into small flakes that become raw material for more new bottles.

“We’re proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company on our transition to 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles across Canada,” said Todd Parsons, CEO of Coca-Cola Canada Bottling. “We’re on a journey to be the leading beverage partner in Canada, and one of the ways we’re doing that is by earning our social license to operate by driving a circular economy for our packaging. Every one of these 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles represents meaningful progress on that journey.”

The new recycled plastic bottles will be produced locally at the Brampton, Ont., Calgary, Alba., Lachine, Que., and Richmond, B.C., manufacturing facilities, by Coke Canada Bottling.

Flow will produce 15 million Joyburst Hydration branded beverage units annually at its Aurora, Ont., production facility.

Launched in 2022, Joyburst is a better-for-you beverage company offering premium hydration energy drinks globally.

Joyburst Hydration products are offered in Tetra Paks and are available in three flavours.

“Joyburst is developing a very unique offering in the enhanced hydration market and we are delighted they have chosen to work with Flow to get Joyburst Hydration Tetra Paks in the hands of consumers across North America. Our Aurora production facility is ideally suited to help Joyburst reach its production goals and has the expansion potential to grow alongside our partners. This manufacturing agreement also helps Flow unlock value in relation to our Aurora production facility which, as previously disclosed, is currently in the process of being divested,” said Nicholas Reichenbach, CEO of Flow.

“With the successful launch of Joyburst energy drinks, we are now looking to bring our value proposition to the hydration category. This commitment with Flow is a reflection of how well our retail partners have embraced Joyburst Hydration, which has been particularly strong in the female hydration segment of the market,” added Brad Woodgate, founder and CEO of No Sugar Company, Wellnx Life Sciences and Joyburst.

The guidance was updated to clarify existing rules, promote market consistency and prevent foods from being mislabelled. The revised guidance clarifies labelling and composition requirements and explains when food products do not meet the definition of a simulated meat or poultry product.

Regulated parties are responsible for verifying that they are complying with the acts and regulations that apply to them. Since the regulations have not changed, CFIA will continue to use the Compliance and Enforcement Policy’s risk-informed approach to inspection. If non-compliance is identified, the CFIA Inspector will follow the standard inspection process to extend the timeframe for corrective action completion. This could include offering a transition period up to January 1, 2026, based on a risk assessment. While this isn’t a regulatory change, it is in keeping with the Health Canada-CFIA Food Labelling Coordination Policy that establishes predictable compliance dates for food labelling changes.

Labelling

Product restrictions are in place for edible cannabis. There are also packaging and labelling restrictions to ensure consumer safety. The maximum amount of THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) allowed is 10 mg per package of edible cannabis. Regulations prohibit the addition of vitamins or minerals to edibles. The product must not contain nicotine or added alcohol. There are also limits on caffeine amounts. Edible cannabis cannot be sold or distributed as a product that requires refrigeration or in a hermetically sealed container with pH exceeding 4.6 and water activity exceeding 0.85 at 22 C.

Similar to the Canadian labelling regulations for food, bilingual mandatory information is required on edible cannabis packaging, including common name, net quantity, ingredient list, allergen declaration, nutrition facts table, and durable life date (if 90 days or less). Other information required for edible cannabis includes the standardized cannabis symbol, THC and CBD (cannabidiol) content, contact information of the license holder, class of cannabis, lot number, recommended storage conditions, packaging date, cannabis possession statement (equivalency to dried cannabis) and warning statement. Health and dietary claims cannot be made.

Regulation

There are specific regulations with regards to the packaging that is intended to reduce the accidental consumption and appeal of edible cannabis product to youth while still providing information to consumers. Plain packaging and labelling are required with restrictions on logos, colours, and branding. Specifically, the container must be a single uniform colour (no fluorescent or metallic hues), have smooth texture, no special features (i.e. heat-activated ink, sound, or scent emission), no inserts, pamphlet or tags, no windows, and no images. Child-resistant packaging must be used, and packaging must include a health warning message.

Packaging

The packaging in direct contact with edible cannabis must meet the Canadian Food Packaging Regulations The regulations prohibit the use of packaging that may impart any substances to the food, which may be harmful to the consumer. 

Another important consideration is the role packaging plays in the shelf life of the food product. Depending on the nature and sensitivity of the food, the packaging should have the appropriate barrier properties to oxygen and moisture to maintain the quality of the edible cannabis product for the duration of the product shelf life.

Plastic pollution is a global concern. With a mind to reduce the amount of packaging waste, the federal government is permitting flexible use of packaging materials. The use of innovative, environmentally friendly packaging within the regulatory constraints is encouraged.

Producers of edible cannabis are challenged with strict packaging and labelling regulations. Restrictions on the ability to brand, design, and market their product make it hard to distinguish them in the marketplace.

However, it is important to ensure that appropriate measures are in place to provide necessary information in order to safeguard consumers while still producing a quality product that has safe packaging. 

Carol Zweep is food consulting manager for NSF. Contact her at czweep@nsf.org. 

This column was originally published in the August/September 2023 issue of Food in Canada.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by Filomena Tassi, the minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario); Lloyd Longfield, MP for Guelph; Mike Schreiner, MPP for Guelph; along with Andrea Ferrari, the Italian ambassador in Canada; Luca Zelioli, consulate general of Italy in Toronto and other representatives from the Italian Chamber of Commerce of Ontario and Italian Trade Commission.

“This event has been organized to express our appreciation for the professional support and ongoing cooperation the Canadian Government and the Italian Institutions provide to our company,” shared Paolo Sunino, CEO and owner of Omnia Packaging.

“Congratulations to Omnia Packaging, an Italian family-owned business,” said Tassi. “This beautiful new facility showcases your dedication and passion in positioning Canada for a greener tomorrow.”

In February 2023, the federal government announced over $3.7 million in support to help Omnia Packaging purchase new equipment to produce Canadian-made, 100 per cent compostable and recyclable paper trays and 100 per cent recyclable plastic trays for the food packaging industry.

The Sunino Group is an Italian family-owned business in injection molded plastic production for food, sport accessories, promotional and toys.

From stretch wrapping machines to tray seal equipment, autonomous forklifts and shrink wrap equipment, visitors will have the chance to see these solutions in action.

“At Crawford Packaging, we understand that automation plays a vital role in streamlining packaging operations and optimizing efficiency,” said John Ashby, president of Crawford Packaging. “The automation experience centre will empower our customers to witness firsthand how these technologies can revolutionize their businesses and provide them with a competitive edge in the market.”

Crawford Packaging Automation Experience Centre is open by appointment only. To schedule a visit, interested parties can contact experience@crawfordpackaging.com.