Demand for antibacterial packaging is growing

New research finds that over half of Britons are more worried about bacteria on the outside of food packaging than the presence of dirt and dust, or if it is damaged or discoloured.

Antibacterial packaging is designed to delay the development of germs and bacteria. The survey found that UK consumers are worried about the transportation and storage of grocery products, but there is growing concern about the presence of bugs on everyday grocery items and the impact that it can have on trheir health.

55% of Britons either say they are “concerned” or “very concerned” about bacteria on the outside of food packaging.

According to leading analyst Michael Hughes, “Consumers are becoming more conscious about the distribution and storage of grocery products and the implications this has on the safety and quality of food. As such, there is a clear demand for products that have antibacterial packaging to help reassure consumers. This will be particularly true with products that are purchased on-the-go and from retailers that consumers are unfamiliar with and where they are less confident about the safety and quality of products”.

Bacteria on outer packaging can cause food poisoning – and worse. The most recent figures published by the Food Standards Agency revealed that 7% of supermarket chicken outer packaging is contaminated with Campylobacter, a debilitating and occasionally deadly stomach bug believed to be responsible for around 460,000 cases, of food poisoning, including 22,000 hospitalisations and 110 deaths, in England and Wales every year. The figure represents a 1% increase on last year, despite an FSA awareness campaign.

Biomaster has created a new industry standard for the antimicrobial protection of the outside of packaging to protect the consumer from the risk of campylobacter poisoning – for example in an award-winning fresh meat tray developed by LINPAC Packaging, designed to reduce the growth of dangerous bugs such as campylobacter, E.Coli, salmonella and listeria to almost zero. 

Biomaster has also developed an antibacterial bag for life, which inhibits the spread of bacteria in your bag between shopping trips.

*Information based on a new Canadean survey of 2,000 UK adults  conducted in October 2014.

*Please note that Addmaster was acquired by the Polygiene Group AB in January 2021, so all news articles prior to that date will still be branded as Addmaster.