CTI Launches New High Pressure Verification Technology to Aid in Food Packaging Safety
Includes Anti-Counterfeit Capabilities to Thwart Imitators
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado, U.S.A. - Chromatic Technologies Inc. (CTI) has revealed its development of a patent-pending, high-pressure indicator “ink” applied to a food package that supports the industry with a visual inspection showing that High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) has been applied to the food product(s). The launch by CTI is a first for the inks and food industries worldwide.
Also known as High Pressure Processing, HPP treatment is used within the food and beverage industries. The HPP machines are specially designed to inactivate pathogenic bacteria and thereby extend shelf-life. Conventional “pasteurization” uses high temperatures, which degrade the taste and nutritional value of foods and beverages.
One of HPP’s great advantages is that the product subjected to HPP looks identical to products that have not undergone HPP treatment. This is also one of its great weaknesses: it is impossible to know by visual inspection, whether or not a product has been HPP-treated. This creates a tremendous challenge for everyone in the supply-chain. CTI has developed a technology to address this challenge.
HPP is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). HPP eliminates bacteria through high-pressure, and can be used for both organic as well as natural foods. Additionally, HPP can be conducted at refrigerated temperatures. As such, HPP does not alter heat-sensitive foods such as meats, fruits and vegetables. While the benefits of HPP have a lengthy history, modern advances have shown that, in addition to the health benefits, the HPP process allows a product to be shipped/stored refrigerated rather than frozen, providing considerable economic and time savings. The CTI technology for HPP is also applicable to pharmaceutical products.
The immediate demand that CTI is fulfilling is from food service companies who are receiving shipments of HPP foods such as meat, seafood, cheese, juice and vegetables and need to give their restaurants or grocery stores a quick visual indicator on whether they should accept delivery of food products.
Patrick Edson, chief marketing officer of CTI explained, “If you’re the Vice President of Food Safety at a large restaurant or grocery franchise with a national supply chain, you are managing a significant risk profile of millions of units of food packaging being delivered to your business under the assumption it has been processed through HPP.
“Customers tell us, ‘We only need one package to bypass the HPP machine and show up at a restaurant, and we have a huge problem. A quick visual inspection at our restaurants to see that the food has been subjected to high pressure mitigates substantial risk,’” Edson added. “It also provides regulatory agencies with the ability to confirm that the foods have undergone HPP."
What Happens During HPP?
The filled package destined for the customer is placed within a totally sealed machine where pure, cold water is applied to the exterior of the finished package. Pathogens are rendered inactive without the use of chemicals, heat or additives. The HPP process itself can include up to 80,000 psi (pounds per square inch) for a few seconds or minutes upon the flexible or water-resistant packages. What Does CTI’s HPP Verification Technology Achieve?
CTI’s patent-pending HPP-indicator technology is delivered via an ink that can be printed on the exterior of most packages for the marketplace. The ink is clear when printed and then increases in color as it’s exposed to the very high isostatic pressures found in the HPP process. The first generation of technology can differentiate between pressure exposure <20,000 psi, 20,000 psi, 30,000 psi and >40,000 psi, according to Edson.
The CTI technology is applied like all conventional inks in packaging, and is currently available in water-based and ultraviolet (UV) cured inks. Solvent-based inks will be available in the future if the demand justifies the development expense. Combatting the ‘Bad Actors’
CTI’s new ink technology for HPP also contains anti-counterfeiting features to ensure a dishonest person hasn’t just simply printed an ink on their packaging claiming an HPP indicator. CTI’s new process provides an easy visual confirmation of successful HPP.
CTI’s offering of HPP Verification Technology is now available for sale.
About Chromatic Technologies Inc.
CTI is the world’s largest manufacturer of thermochromic packaging material, conducting business in more than 50 countries. It was established in 1993 in the dorm room of a Cornell University chemistry major, Lyle Small. As president of CTI, Mr. Small has driven the considerable growth of CTI’s capabilities and committed the company to an aggressive research and development program that successfully allows CTI to provide custom innovation incubators for major brands worldwide.
Since its founding 22 years ago, CTI (www.ctiinks.com) has been dedicated to improving lives “through chemistry that alerts, protects and surprises.” As the world’s largest manufacturer of thermochromic inks, CTI uses its ink technology to convey messaging, be it an indication of hot or cold temperatures, or an extension of the product’s brand. CTI chemistry also provides photochromic, black light, glow in the dark, social media activation, security protection, and is also inventing new methods for bacteria detection and cancer treatment.
CTI’s innovations can be found on products from such companies as Anheuser Busch, Coca Cola, Coors, Fanta, Hallmark, Heineken, Monster Energy, Mountain Dew, Pizza Hut, The Smart Lid and Tuaca Liqueurs.
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Company Contact:
Patrick Edson Chief Marketing Officer Chromatic Technologies Inc. 1096 Elkton Drive, Suite 600 Colorado Springs, Colorado 80907 U.S.A.
(719) 592 1557 pedson@ctiinks.com www.ctiinks.com