UPM Raflatac topcoat has ‘higher temperature resistance than other films in the food industry’
The PET based label film can be used for foods including chilled, deep freeze and peel-and-reseal products.
Lasting resistance to rubbing, scratching and moisture
Jay Betton, labelling solutions manager, UPM Raflatac EMEIA, said the product for the European market fulfils the needs of packaging designers and brand owners seeking legislatively compliant food labels with a premium level of shelf-appeal.
“With the new topcoat, PET Gloss White FTC 50 supports quality print results with lasting resistance to rubbing, scratching and moisture,” he said.
“Higher temperature resistance than other films commonly used in the food industry also makes this PET-based label film ideal for labelling ‘cook in the bag’ products.
“Using plastic-identical labels on PET packaging also offers more opportunities for recycling.”
FTC 50 is EU 10/2011 compliant which is a legal obligation to minimize the risk of food contamination from packaging containing plastics.
It also protects label suppliers and brand owners from the liabilities and reputation damage caused by product recalls.
Label stock life cycle
UPM Raflatac supplies Declarations of Conformity for film-based food labelling solutions.
To calculate and compare the environmental impacts of different label materials over their entire life cycles, UPM Raflatac has developed the Label Life LCA tool.
Label Life describes environmental impacts in categories like carbon emissions and water and energy consumption, taking into account life cycle scenarios like recycling.
“At UPM Raflatac we take environmental performance into account throughout the label stock life cycle,” said Betton.
“Responsible sourcing and materials efficiency are integral to our product design, and with our RafCycle program we provide a more sustainable end-of-life for spent label liners and conversion waste.”
ARE YOUR LABELS COMPLIANT?
In Europe, there are strict regulations governing food safety practices. Under European food packaging legislation, companies should ensure compliance with the EU’s Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Regulation if they are supplying Food Contact Materials (FCMs) within the manufacturing chain.
UPM Raflatac has a four-step check for compliance with the following legislation to ensure food contact packaging and labeling materials meet legally required standards for consumer safety.
EC 1935/2004 applies to all Food Contact Materials, including labels. EC 1935/2004 requires that materials used for food contact do not transfer substances into the food
in large enough quantities to endanger human health, cause unacceptable changes
to the composition of the food, or affect the appearance, taste or aroma of the food.
EU 10/2011 contains a list of compliant substances permitted in plastic materials and articles intended for contact with food, as well as rules for compliance testing and reporting. It states each company in the FCM supply chain must ensure compliant product design for their own product, that documentation must be available for plastic packaging components throughout the production chain, and each company is responsible for passing documents related to its own products to the next operator in the value chain.
EU 1169/2011 covers mandatory packaging markings, their correctness and clarity, as well as nutritional information for food.
EU 2023/2006 outlines good manufacturing practice (GMP) for food contact materials. It applies to all sectors and stages of the manufacture, processing and distribution of materials and articles intended for food contact. Every partner in the supply chain must have sufficient expertise in producing high-quality and safe materials intended for food contact, and ensure the traceability of raw materials and end-products.
