The manufacturers of corrugated cardboard boxes are working to keep transport packaging flowing to makers of essential products including packaging for food and other consumer products, medical and pharmaceutical products, tissue and hygiene products and more amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Periodic testing performed to a protocol designed by food safety, microbiology and toxicology experts from the University of California-Davis and Haley & Aldrich, and sponsored by the corrugated industry confirms corrugated containers used to transport fresh produce are safe and clean.
Stellenbosch University is acknowledged as a world leader in research on optimising packaging design for the fruit industry. Prof Linus Opara spoke to farmer’s weekly about the university’s achievements in this regard, as well as the latest trends in the field. He mentions using collapsible plastic containers instead of corrugated fibreboard cartons for packaging poses a challenge to logistics and creates health concerns.
The publication of third-party, peer-reviewed research in a recent edition of the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B supports the corrugated industry’s commitment to science and facts when communicating about packaging materials.