3. Major applications

3.1 Food products

The main criteria that packaging for food products must meet are as follows:

• preserve the organoleptic properties of packaged products;

• hygienic quality to meet food safety requirements;

• protect food from external aggression;

• adapt to the different packaging and distribution methods required for consumer products;

• withstand extreme operating temperatures;

• meet consumers' expectations and requirements in terms of ergonomics, usage and information.

European Directive 93/43/EEC deals with the hygiene of foodstuffs, i.e....