What are you eating today? – Focus on food packaging

We might think that there is nothing new under the sun when it comes to food packaging, since everything from paper bags to vacuum packaging has already been invented. The latest episode of our series shows that there is indeed something new under the sun!

The primary aspects of packaging are material safety, hygiene, leak-proofness, resistance to environmental influences, and accurate labeling. Packaging can be of several types: primary (in direct contact with food), secondary (protects the primary packaging) and tertiary (used during transportation and logistics).

In the food industry, packaging technology has undergone significant development in recent years, and product packaging has many interactive functions. For example, QR codes or smart labels contribute to the safe information of consumers and manufacturers, and also have many advantages. There is always room for improvement in the world of safe and effective packaging, which is why, in addition to a detailed presentation of already well-known packaging methods, consumers can also learn about the so-called smart or intelligent packaging, which can provide an indication of the condition and quality of the given food. In addition, our experts also point out the directions in which packaging technologies can still develop.

The MATE film series helps consumers develop a health-conscious lifestyle and diet with clear, scientifically based information. But it is not just about lectures or scientific materials – the series reaches the audience in the form of personal, practical, visually demanding videos. Each episode is also accompanied by a podcast discussion, where the university’s experts explore each topic in more depth.

The aim of the series is to initiate a dialogue. On social media platforms, viewers can ask questions, vote on topics, and evaluate what they see. The organizers are also planning university competitions and workshops, where interested parties can meet researchers and get closer to science through their own experiences. This will make the series not only a source of information, but also a platform for community experience and scientific dialogue.

The professional leader of the project is Dr. Tamás Kocsis, the winning researcher of the NKFIH Scientific Patronage competition, and associate professor at the Institute of Food Science and Technology at MATE.