You are out for regular grocery shopping. You are satisfied that the supermarket you are visiting stocks only food packages that are air-tight and leak proof. You know that you are at peace while bringing the food products home assuming they will retain their taste and colour until you open the package.
But have you ever wondered who takes care to ensure that the food packaging does not leak? Manufacturers ensure that the packaging on food products is leak proof. Test labs check for leaks using the latest leak detection methods.
Let’s look at the top four leak detection methods that the food packaging industry makes use of.
Bubble Emission Leak Test
Food packages are known to contain some amount of gas or air. The bubble emission test is a time-tested method for detecting leaks in food packages.
During the test, a vacuum is drawn in the package and then completely submerged in water. The tester will look for bubbles.
If bubbles appear, it means that there’s a leak in the package. The location of the leak can be detected by observing where most of the bubbles occur. If the testers cannot visually identify the leak, it becomes very hard to fix the leak.
Ultrasonic Measurement Test
If there is a leak in the food package, it will produce a sound. The size of the leak determines the level of sound produced, which could be either a high-frequency sound or a low-frequency sound.
Small leaks in food packaging tend to produce a high-frequency sound which can be easily detected using the ultrasonic measurement test.
Pressure Decay Test
If there’s a leak in the package, the internal pressure reduces dramatically. The pressure decay test uses nitrogen or dry air at a given pressure level to detect leaks.
The packaging material is charged with nitrogen before testing for the leak. The pressure level is recorded and monitored for some time. If it reduces, it is concluded that a leak exists.
Dry Chamber Flexible Package Test
The dry chamber flexible package test is considered the most reliable when it comes to detecting leaks in packages that contain liquid content. The package is placed in a dry chamber and then placed on an absorbent material.
A vacuum is then drawn to observe whether the absorbent material becomes wet. If it does become wet, the packaging is said to be compromised.
Why Food Packaging Leak Test is Important
If food products are not packed properly, the contents can perish in a matter of days. Poorly packaged food can severely affect the health of the person consuming the food.
Food packaging leak detection is extremely important. Every food manufacturer has to strictly comply with the requirements, failing in which they are liable to prosecution.
Manufacturers are always on the lookout for ways to package their products better. In this way, they are able to maintain the quality of their food products and also protect their company’s brand and reputation.
