New evidence confirms hygiene of wood in contact with fruits, fish and cheese. And wooden pallet is more hygienic and safer than plastic pallet.
Recently, a presentation was given on the conclusions of an extensive three-year research initiative by the “EMABOIS” consortium, composed of 27 research projects that have led to several doctoral dissertations and scientific articles on wood. Their conclusions are in line with microbiological comparative work on fish packaging.
EMABois, composed of various French research authorities, including Actalia, ESB, ESI Reims, FCBA and ONIRIS, carried out thousands of tests and validated methods and protocols for the microbiological and chemical analysis of wood. The results confirmed the microbiological and chemical safety of wooden surfaces in contact with fresh products such as fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy products.
In fact, wood pallets are used extensively in Europe’s cold chain transportation industry for medical products, pharmaceutical cold-chain transportation, food cold-chain transportation and warehousing industries, especially new-level solid wood pallets.
Compared to the easy-to-clean features of plastic pallets, the users should be more vigilant to chemical hazards releases from plastic pallets in the process of rapid temperature changes. Materials, manufacturing, and maintenance of plastic pallets used in cold chain and food industry transportation must be consumed a lot of manpower and material resources and costs.
Research Release
In November, the 66th The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) Congress in Cork (Ireland) presented new scientific studies on wood and food safety, which composed of 27 research projects and directed by Aviat and Federighi.
Research Result
The studies have shown, there is a higher antimicrobial effect on wood by physical inhibition on species of wood, including spruce, pine and poplar. It concluded that its porosity is an advantage in this regard against other materials in contact with food and considered as “smooth”, such as plastic.
Tips:
There has been controversy over whether the material of the wooden pallet itself will affect the transportation of goods. However, as far as the current market status is concerned, wood pallets are mainly used not only in terms of food hygiene and safety, but also in the chemical dangerous goods transportation industry.
Research Conclusion
With regard to the migration of natural wood molecules, the EMABois consortium concluded that particularly natural, volatile, organic compounds are involved, but their transfer to food is limited, meaning they are safe for the consumer. The study identifies harmless substances in the international legal framework and scientific literature, which are used in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry as thickeners, flavorings or natural dyes.
Horizontal Comparison
The conclusion reinforced the findings of the comparative assessment of microbiological behavior of containers for fresh fish in the market. In fact, the surface microbiology assessment expert states that, thanks to antimicrobial properties, containers made from wood develop less contamination after contact with fish, and do not affect the quality or safety of the fish – provided that they only come into contact once.
Compressed wood pallet parallels to wooden pallet
Compressed wood pallet is the good alternative in cold-chain food transportation. And the following is the reasons.
- Free fumigation and popular in the import and export transportation. Presswood pallet machine builds the presswood pallet with high pressure and high temperature. And it is one time forming pallet. The final pallet meet ISPM15, and is ready for export. Hence, it will save a lot of time required for the customs clearance process. Besides, it also save money for you.
- Stable dimension and no distortion and warping. Meantime, high precision size and light weight. It is specifically designed reinforcing rib that ensures the intensity and production accuracy.
- Rounded design to prevent goods damage in the packaging and transportation process. These design features directly reduce product damage and worker related claims due to injuries as they travel through the supply chain.
- Low moisture content and constant intensity and rigidity. Presswood pallet is non-hygroscopic and no deformation in the course.
- Presswood pallet machines are molded pallet without nails, and they are reused and recycled. Besides, they do not poison the environment when they are broken. Additionally, the broken pallets are also the raw materials for the new pallets. Hence, it also meets the circular economy.
In a word, PalletMach is the leading presswood pallet machine manufacturer in China. And we have more than 15 years’ production experience. “Honest and reliable” is our permanent pursuit. Our service is available all around the world. At the same time, our high quality service team is ready to provide you with fast and efficient service from the tailored solutions for competitive production process to free training of complete plant installation.
If you have any question, please contact us [email protected].