Summary Reader Response Draft #1

 The article “Spray-on, Rinse Off Food ‘Wrapper’, Can Cut Plastic Packaging” written by Jones (2022), introduces a revolutionary solution which is capable of food preservation whilst being environmentally friendly. Most of the packaging that is used in the modern world does an excellent job of preserving the cleanliness of our food which prevents food-related illnesses. However, this comes at the cost of a large amount of plastic being thrust into our environment.  In the packaging industry, 50% of the plastics produced from fossil fuels are for food packaging. (Ncube et al.,2020) The way this new form of packaging works is that a biodegradable fiber, pullulan, is applied through “focused rotary jet spinning” (FRJS) and is spun around the food, functioning as a wrapper which can be easily washed off upon consumption. These fine fibers have been “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and are “laced with naturally occurring antimicrobial ingredients – thyme oil, citric acid and nisin” (MacPherson, 2022), which will help keep the food from spoiling through preventing bacteria growth. After the wrapper has been applied, it will be able to keep fruits fresh for an extended period of time while reducing the likelihood of rotting. Replacing the typical plastic packaging that is widely used today with this new "Spray-on" wrapper may be the key to making food packaging safe for consumption whilst being eco-friendly.

Majority of the packaging used in today’s world is mainly plastic, due to it being an “inexpensive, lightweight, strong, durable and corrosion-resistant material.” (Thompson et al.,2009) On the other hand, the detrimental effect that plastic has on the environment is severe, with its production being one of the main causes of global warming. Another consequence of plastic in the environment is the harm inflicted upon wildlife, which causes the endangerment of certain species. Invertebrates, turtles, fish, seabirds and mammals are part of over 260 species that have been reported to ingest or get stuck in plastic debris, which results in restricted movement and feeding, complications in mating capability, a variety of physical wounds and death. (Thompson et al.,2009) The “Spray-on” wrapper is able to greatly reduce the amount of plastic produced and released into the environment as it is composed of mainly organic matter. With biodegradation being one its features, it is much more eco-friendly as it will not leave behind any waste post decay. This in turn eliminates the issue of wildlife endangerment as well as minimizes the negative impact of global warming and pollution caused by plastic food packaging.

Being able to keep food clean, fresh and safe for consumption is one of the key aspects of food packaging as it helps prevent people from getting sick and reduces food waste. Food packaging should be able to prevent product decay, retain the “beneficial effects of processing, extend shelf-life, and maintain or increase the quality and safety of food.” (Marsh and Bugusu, 2007) An experiment conducted on avocados which are known to be “especially prone to uneven ripening and postharvest decay” (Jones, 2022) found that the pullulan fiber protected the fruit when exposed to common food-related bacteria, reducing the likelihood of decay and bacterial growth, as well as browning caused by oxidation. These findings point towards extended shelf life and preserved optimal quality of fruits should the “Spray-on” wrapper be used for food packaging.

Although this new innovative technology has great potential in reducing both plastic production and food wastage whilst being GRAS, it is important to note that researchers are still in experimentation to ensure that there aren’t any harmful by-products. Ultimately, what is most important is still the safety of the consumer above anything else. An environmental toxicologist at Duke University, Nishad Jayasundara, stated that although pullulan is generally recognised as safe, several tests should be conducted to ensure its safety to human health. (Jones, 2022)

In Conclusion, the pullulan fiber wrapper offers several benefits over the common plastic packaging while also bringing innovative solutions to the drawbacks of plastic. It is able to largely minimize food wastage and the pollution caused from plastic production while still being able to preserve the quality of food.  However, ensuring that the product is completely safe for human health to begin with is a factor that must be considered. Otherwise, there may be serious repercussions that may be too late to reverse once the pullulan fiber wrapper is distributed and used widely across the world.

https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/13/21/4994/htm (Ncube et al.,2020)

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/spray-on-rinse-off-food-lsquo-wrapper-rsquo-can-cut-plastic-packaging/ (Jones, 2022)

https://www.rutgers.edu/news/spray-alternative-plastic-wrap (MacPherson, 2022)

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2873021/ (Thompson et al.,2009)

https://ift.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1750-3841.2007.00301.x (Marsh and Bugusu, 2007)