Colorants for Packaging Offer Light Protection.

A new line of color concentrates for packaging of light-sensitive retort products has been developed by Ferro Corp.'s Plastics Colorants Div., Stryker, Ohio. New Light Blocker Concentrates are said to be heat stable and to meet FDA standards for direct food contact at retort temperatures. Five light pastel shades are said to provide both uv and visible-light protection for nutrients in milk-based products.

These concentrates are intended for use in LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE, PP, and PS bottles, injection molded containers, and thermoformed sheet. Letdown ratios are 10:1 to 50:1, depending on layer thickness and shelf life. These customizable concentrates reportedly offer cost-saving opportunities. For example, they can permit downgauging an outer white layer over the light barrier, using a monolayer structure, or eliminating foil.