Porous polyester packaging a problem?

According to the Rexam Consumer Packaging Report 2005-2006, prepared with the assistance of IDTechEx, global consumption of packaged water is growing at a rapid 8% yearly and polyester is the favourite packaging medium with the most rapid rate of adoption. However, Danone has sought to reassure UK customers after two bottles of Volvic water, the second most popular water brand in Europe, were found to contain traces of potentially harmful chemical Napthalene, threatening sales. The French dairy and bottled water group said it was "actively investigating" the precise reason why the traces of naphthalene were present.

 

Lauri Pastrone, opened one of the bottles to be greeted with a foul smell. She spat the water out after trying some because it burned her mouth. She then informed the BBC, who had tests carried out on the product. Napthalene is considered potentially harmful to a person's respiratory system, blood cells and liver if swallowed in high enough doses.

 

A spokesperson for Danone declared: "The company can confirm that it is an isolated incident and no other complaints have been received from the same batch of product and remaining samples have been checked. Initial research suggests that the naphthalene could have penetrated the plastic after it left the factory at some point in delivery or storage. This has happened in past cases the company has experienced."

 

Food Traceability 2006 conference will be held on February 1-2 2006 in Dallas, USA. This hot topic is driven by health scares, bioterrorism and new laws. It will become the largest RFID application but we cover DNA and many other vital technologies as well. For further details please visit www.trackingfood.com 

 

You can also read the new IDTechEx reports: