ASTM F1640-95e1

Standard Guide for Packaging Materials for Foods to Be Irradiated

SCOPE
1.1 This guide outlines parameters that should be considered when selecting food-contact packaging materials intended for use during the irradiation of prepackaged foods.  
1.2 This guide highlights the role of packaging in conjunction with irradiation in controlling microbial and chemical spoilage processes.  
1.3 This guide does not address all regulatory issues associated with packaging materials for foods to be irradiated. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to determine the pertinent regulatory issues in each country where irradiated foods are to be produced or distributed.  
1.4 This guide does not address all of the food safety issues associated with the synergistic effects of irradiation and packaging as food preservation techniques on the extension of shelf life. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to conduct appropriate risk analyses to determine the critical food safety issues.  
1.5 This guide does not address all the effects of irradiation and packaging on food quality and shelf life. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to conduct appropriate product assessment tests to determine the compatibility between the packaging application and irradiation relative to changes in sensory attributes and shelf life.  
1.6 This guide does not address the use of irradiation as a processing aid for the manufacture or sterilization of food packaging materials.  
1.7  This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Sep-1995
• Technical Committee: E61 - Radiation Processing
• Drafting Committee: E61.05 - Food Irradiation

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1640-95(2001) - Standard Guide for Packaging Materials for Foods to Be Irradiated
• Effective Date: 10-Sep-1995

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
e1
Designation: F 1640 – 95
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Guide for
1
Packaging Materials for Foods to Be Irradiated
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1640; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1
e NOTE—Footnote 5 and Paragraph 4.1 were changed editorially in September 1996.
INTRODUCTION
This guide provides information on the selection and use of packaging materials intended to hold
food during irradiation with ionizing energy. In general, irradiation is used to reduce the incidence of
spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and parasites in foods, control sprouting of tubers and bulbs,
and serve as a quarantine treatment for insect disinfestation in fresh fruits and other commodities.
Packaging materials serve to protect the product from recontamination after irradiation and may be
used to complement other preservation techniques to extend the shelf life of the irradiated food.
This guide serves the following purposes: (1) identifying known regulations worldwide pertaining
to packaging materials for holding foods during irradiation; (2) examining the selection of packaging
materials for intended uses (for example, product protection or preservation effect); and (3) examining
the criteria for fitness for use. This guide should be regarded as providing a format to assist
manufacturers and users in selecting materials that comply with applicable regulations and have
characteristics desirable for their intended uses.
1. Scope 1.6 This guide does not address the use of irradiation as a
processing aid for the manufacture or sterilization of food
1.1 This guide outlines parameters that should be consid-
packaging materials.
ered when selecting food-contact packaging materials intended
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
for use during the irradiation of prepackaged foods.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.2 This guide highlights the role of packaging in conjunc-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tion with irradiation in controlling microbial and chemical
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
spoilage processes.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.3 This guide does not address all regulatory issues asso-
ciated with packaging materials for foods to be irradiated. It is
2. Referenced Documents
the responsibility of the user of this guide to determine the
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pertinent regulatory issues in each country where irradiated
D 3985 Test Method for Oxygen Gas Transmission Through
foods are to be produced or distributed.
2
Plastic Film and Sheeting Using a Coulometric Sensor
1.4 This guide does not address all of the food safety issues
E 460 Practice for Determining Effect of Packaging on
associated with the synergistic effects of irradiation and pack-
3
Food and Beverage Products During Storage
aging as food preservation techniques on the extension of shelf
E 462 Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer from
life. It is the responsibility of the user of this guide to conduct
3
Packaging Film
appropriate risk analyses to determine the critical food safety
F 1355 Guide for Irradiation of Fresh Fruits for Disinfesta-
issues.
3
tion as a Quarantine Treatment
1.5 This guide does not address all the effects of irradiation
F 1356 Guide for the Irradiation of Fresh and Frozen Red
and packaging on food quality and shelf life. It is the
3
Meats and Poultry (to Control Pathogens)
responsibility of the user of this guide to conduct appropriate
2.2 Other Standards:
product assessment tests to determine the compatibility be-
4
Canada Food and Drug Act, Division 23, Sec. B23.001
tween the packaging application and irradiation relative to
Relatif aux dossiers de demande d’autorisation d’emploi
changes in sensory attributes and shelf life.
1 2
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F-2 on Flexible Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.09.
3
Barrier Materials and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F02.40 on Food Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 15.07.
4
Processing and Packaging. Available from Canada Communications Group, Supply & Service, Publishing
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Centre, 45 Sacre-Couer Blvd., Hull, Quebec, K1A 0S9, Canada.
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