10 replies to this topic

[Cheese89]

I would like to gain some insights on the use of vacuum pouches for packaging cheese. Our company has been using blue vacuum pouches since the beginning. The choice of blue was made because it helps detect any plastic pieces that might accidentally fall into the product, especially since our cheese is white in color.

 

However, management is now considering a change to white pouches, believing that this would provide better visibility of the product. I would like to know which color option—blue or white—would be better for packaging cheese in bulk quantities.

[SQFconsultant]

When you say, "White" should i assume you mean "clear" considering that management wants better visibility?

 

Assuming that white is clear, I like clear, but I also like white....

 

... like the opaque packaging that CABOT uses for their block cheeses, they use X-ray for any little plastic pieces that may be present.

[Cheese89]

Yes clear bags

[Cheese89]

Since we don't have an X-ray machine and use a metal detector, is it still acceptable to use clear bags for cheese?

[SQFconsultant]

YES.

[kingstudruler1]

I believe you are refering to 5.5.2.  

 

While you cant always trust the "inpretation documents", it clearly states that the colored packaging does not apply to finished product.  

 

 

"this clause does not apply to packaging used for sale to final customer"

Edited by kingstudruler1, 10 February 2025 - 04:43 PM.

[Cheese89]

Does that mean finished product can be sold in clear bags?

 

5.5.2 Product liners and bags purchased by the company for use in direct contact with ingredients, or work in process, shall be appropriately coloured (e.g. contrasting colour to the product) and resistant to tearing to prevent accidental contamination.

[GMO]

In the cheddar industry (world wide) much to the frustration of sites who use it, the 20kg blocks are packed into clear packaging so that the quality can be assessed including the absence of mould before opening.  

 

I would imagine if you risk assessed it appropriately that the colourless packaging is for a reason and that any opening / repacking has appropriate controls to prevent contamination, I would imagine that would be acceptable.

[GMO]

I know you accidentally posted twice but just to prove how widespread colourless plastic is in the cheese industry, here is an example of a box erector around some cheddar blocks:

 

https://youtu.be/z6E..._O9b7hNkTWwxmWt

 

So it's REALLY common.  What helps with this application is it's pretty hard for the plastic to not come off cleanly if you open it sensibly.  Also there is a fair point that mould is easier to see with colourless packaging.  It's also useful to be able to see the colour which can be indicative of maturity depending on season the milk was collected.

[Scampi]

the only reason that blue would be better is to help prevent surface discoloration from fluorescent lights, which is probably why they started using it in the first place, and one would assume your lights are LED now

[GMO]

the only reason that blue would be better is to help prevent surface discoloration from fluorescent lights, which is probably why they started using it in the first place, and one would assume your lights are LED now

 

Blue used to be specified by UK food retailers to help prevent plastic contamination of foods and still is where there's no good reason to have a different colour.  It's because if a shard is cut off by using bad bag opening techniques, it's easy to see.  I think that's the reason more than fluorescent lights.  Cheese wouldn't be exposed for long in packing rooms before being cased for storage and in maturation rooms nowadays, cheddars are all bagged then boxed in cases.