Good Morning,
I agree with Alok concerning the benefits of aseptic cartons with respect to the sensitivity of milk and the hygiene factors. There is another point, and that is fortification. I live in Africa and have come to
realise that any food that has exposure to the elements (Light,Oxygen and bacteria's) has little potential to create a stable base for any micronutrient compound. Nutrients destabilise with oxygen and with light, both of which are absent from aseptic packaging,
affroding safe distribution to nutritionally deficient children in the worst places in terms of routes to distribute.
The cost saved in terms of making available fortified milk to children is in the billions. Add to that the potential for farmers to be able to sell their milk without detiorating, then you have a format for success
and a win-win situation for all concerned.
Rgds
Kelly Boucher Aburi
TetraPak
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Monday, July 01, 2013 1:34 PM
Subject: Bricks v. pouches : List discussion on Milk Bags - March/April 2013
From Aseptic Food Processing and Packaging Industry Association (AFPPA)- India
Under-nutrition continues to be a widespread problem in the country. Despite an increase in food production, the lack of infrastructure coupled with problems of choosing the right processing and packaging of perishable
goods persist in India. There are several challenges when dealing with distribution of milk.
Aseptic technology provides an ambient shelf life of 3 – 6 months without the need of a cold chain. Also, aseptic packages being tamper-evident cannot be adulterated –ensuring that the packaged milk is safe, hygienic
and nutritious. When choosing the correct channel for distribution of milk under the school milk programme, an overall cost-benefit analysis could be considered.
Aseptic packages are primarily made from a renewable resource - paper. On average, 75% by weight of an aseptic package is made from paper, which is recyclable. The polyethylene and the aluminium used in the aseptic
packages are also recyclable, making the complete package 100% recyclable. Aseptic packages are increasingly being recycled into multiple value-added products such as notebooks and furniture. In India more than a fifth of the aseptic packages that are sold
are recycled, a clear indication of the growing awareness on their recyclability. Also, aseptic packages being primarily paper-based, get mixed with waste paper and sent to paper mills for recycling.
The fact is that there is no source segregation of wet and dry waste in India and recycling predominantly relies on unorganised waste pickers. Despite these challenges, awareness initiatives by the industry aimed
at not just the consumers but the entire waste value chain are resulting in an increase in the recycling of aseptic packaging.
The school milk programme needs to offer students safe, hygienic and nutritious milk. Given the geographical spread and infrastructural challenges in our country, aseptic technology merits consideration.
Alok Bisaria
Aseptic Food Processing and Packaging Industry Association (AFPPA)
* The Aseptic Food Processing & Packaging Industry Association of India (AFPPA) is a registered association under the Indian Societies Registration Act and works towards fostering & promoting diverse initiatives
related to sustainable development of the Indian food sector through the use of aseptic technology.
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