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27 April 1998 |
Ref 98/89 |
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New advances in edible coatings for food will mean safer, better quality products for the consumer, and they will taste more natural too, according to Food Science Australia researcher Dr Vic Reyes.
"The food industry is very interested finding new forms of edible food coatings that will provide consumers with a healthier, safer and more inviting variety of products to enjoy," Dr Reyes told the Australian Institute of Food Science and Technology annual convention in Melbourne today.
Food Science Australia is among several institutions working with industry to develop new products to protect food during storage and transportation. They are working on the so-called "active" food coatings that improve the safety and quality of various food types including fresh and minimally processed vegetables.
"Edible coatings are used to protect food and extend shelf life," Dr Reyes says. "The most common examples traditionally used are wax coverings for fruits, lipid films to protect meat products and chocolate coating for a range of food items."
"We are developing new edible coatings that will be used on a variety of fruit and vegetables, for instance apples, pears, citrus fruits, mangoes and carrots," Dr Reyes says.
"In order to make edible coatings that are more like "real food", we are looking at using naturally occurring compounds that come from the foods themselves," Dr Reyes says.
If food is raw or unprocessed, a "modified atmosphere coating" (MAC) can be applied to extend its shelf-life.
"This kind of coating is similar to using a wax coating but will be more natural. The coating allows only certain gases to go through, which will prolong the freshness of the food," Dr Reyes says.
MAC coatings will be applied directly to the food. This will have the advantage that they will reduce the need for plastic packaging, and will protect the food if there is damage to any packaging that is used.
Food Science Australia was recently formed from a merger of CSIRO's Division of Food Science and Technology and the Australian Food Industry Science Centre in Victoria.
Dr Reyes will be speaking at 2.30pm, today Monday 27 April, in Room You Yang 1, Melbourne Convention Centre.
Contact:
Mel Malloch 0417 283 007
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