Biopack - self-sanitising food bio-packaging

Concerns over the safety of food packaging have been growing as studies have shown that re-useable bags can contain bacteria contamination from re-use. Bacteria such as E-Coli and Campylobacter can be present on the outside of food packaging materials, and contact with the bag will cause cross-contamination. Hence the recommendation to use fabric bags and wash regularly. The core of the problem relates to the presence of harmful bacteria on the outside of the packaged food products. Even with high food hygiene standards in the UK, the rates of Campylobacter on the outside of chicken packaging has risen from 6 to 7% in 2020\. A US study showed that 51% of 'bags for life' contain harmful bacteria.

The project will create a technology to prevent the survival of bacteria and viruses on food packing. The material stock used to wrap the food will have a biocidal coating on the outside that will rapidly kill any form of organic contamination. Whether the contamination occurs in the factory or at the supermarket, the bacteria and viruses will be killed within minutes.