Looking for innovative yet sustainable packaging? Look no further than edible packaging that is biodegradable, sustainable, and creative. Considering its name, if you are assuming a packaging that can be eaten or consumed. Then, you are right! It is one of the trending and innovative packaging that is edible.
It is plant-based packaging, which is why seaweed, algae, casein, rice paper, fruit peels, and other plant extracts are used to make edible packaging. This blog has accumulated all the information about edible packaging that can be helpful for your business. Read More!
Overview of Edible Packaging
As the name suggests, edible packaging is made from plant-based extracts which make it safe to consume. The consumption of edible packaging makes its biodegradability easier. Edible packaging is mostly used in the food industry for warping food items and making packaging essentials for food products.
The use of natural extracts makes it food-safe and contamination-free. It also has barrier properties that prevent the oxidation in food and maintain its freshness.
This chart shows that the edible packaging market is expanding at a CAGR of 6.6% from 2024 to 2033. The significance of edible packaging contributes to its higher demand.
Materials Used for Edible Packaging
The edible packaging material can be derived from two sources.
- Plant-Based Materials
- Casein
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Casein
It is milk protein which gives milk its white color. Casein is used as a raw material for making edible packaging. It is used in the form of a film as edible packaging for food.
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Plant-Based Materials
Some plant-based materials are fruit peel extracts like pomegranate and pineapple are used as raw materials for edible food films. Plant-based oils are also incorporated into edible films such as cinnamon and citrus oil. Some other materials include seaweed, algae, and rice paper.
Process of Making Edible Packaging
A step-by-step process is followed for making edible food packaging. The following steps best describes the process of making edible packaging:
- Choosing Raw Materials
The process of making edible packaging starts by selecting the raw materials. Natural polymers and bio plasticizers are two types of materials that are used. Water-based, oil-based, and plant-based extracts are used as natural polymers. Bio-based plasticizers like sorbitol, glycerol, and mannitol are used to increase the flexibility of edible films.
- Forming the Film Solution
The selected raw materials are dissolved in water and other solvents for film formation. Plasticizers are also added to the substance carefully. This step needs careful consideration to achieve the desired consistency and properties of the edile film-forming solution.
- Molding the Edible Solution
In this step, the film solution casting is started by spreading the solution onto flat surfaces. The thickness of the film depends on the solvent in which the raw materials are dissolved. Moreover, putting film-forming solution to molds helps you get complex shapes of edible films.
- Drying Film Casting
The casting film solution is dried using different equipment like an oven, air dryer, and vacuum dryer. Once the solution is completely dried, you can remove the solvent. After this, you can start post-processing by cutting the edible films into your desired shapes.
- Storing Edible Films
The edible films are sensitive and can be damaged due to different environmental conditions. They can also be biodegraded at certain temperatures. This is why you need to store them at the right temperature carefully.
Forms of Edible Packaging
Edible films are used as sustainable packaging for food. The reason is that these films are food-grade and do not require waste collection, recycling, and disposal. Food businesses that manufacture foods, especially for children mostly use edible packaging films.
Edible packaging can be made in different forms in the food industry. Here are a few examples of edible packaging that are contributing to the food industry:
- Edible Cups
- Edible Straws
- Edible Spoons
- Plates and Bowls
- Rice Wafer Paper
- Ice Cream Cones
- Edible Mylar Bags
- Edible Gold Leaf Sheets
Let’s discuss a few examples of edible packaging for your better understanding.
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Edible Straws
These straws are made from natural polymers like rice flour, vegetable colors, and tapioca starch. Edible straws are used for cold drinks and are the best alternative to plastic and paper straws. They are edible and can also be degraded within 100 days.
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Edible Spoons
These edible spoons are made from wheat, rice, and sorghum extracts. Sorghum is best known for its strength. This is why edible spoons are used as an eco-friendly alternative to plastic spoons. They do not degrade while eating due to the higher strength properties of sorghum.
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Wafer Paper
An excellent example of edible packaging is wafer paper which is made from only potato starch, rice, vegetable oils, and water. The use of 100% natural materials makes it an edible and eco-friendly packaging solution. It is crisp and translucent wafer paper and safe to eat.
Pros of Edible Packaging
Edible packaging benefits your food business in the following ways:
- Versatility
- Innovative
- Food Preservation
- User Convenience
- Food Waste Reduction
- Environmental sustainability
Cons of Edible Packaging
Like any other thing, edible packaging also has some cons mentioned below:
- Safety Concern
- Limited Durability
- Taste and Texture
- Temperature Sensitivity
- Higher Manufacturing Cost
Conclusion
Edible packaging is proven to be one of the innovative and sustainable options. It is made by using natural polymers and bio-plasticizers. The use of natural plant and water-based extracts makes it ideal for the food industry. Its oxidation-free properties maintain food’s freshness.
It also has a few cons like higher production cost, limited durability, and health risk. However, the benefits of edible packaging are contributing to its higher demand. Contact us for your questions and queries related to edible packaging. We would love to assist you!
