ASTM_F_1640_-_09.pdf

Designation:F164009Standard Guide forSelection and Use of Packaging Materials for Foods to BeIrradiated1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1640;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONThis guide provides information on the selection and use of packaging materials intended to holdfood during irradiation with ionizing energy(gamma-rays,X-rays,accelerated electrons).In general,irradiation is used to reduce the incidence of spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and parasitesin foods,control sprouting of tubers and bulbs,and disinfest commodities(see Guides F1355,F1356,F1736,and F1885).Packaging materials serve to protect the product from recontamination afterirradiation and may be used to complement other preservation techniques to extend shelf life of theirradiated food.1.Scope1.1 This guide provides a format to assist producers andusers of food packaging materials in selecting materials thathave the desirable characteristics for their intended use andcomply with applicable standards or government authoriza-tions.It outlines parameters that should be considered whenselecting food-contact packaging materials intended for useduring irradiation of prepackaged foods and it examines thecriteria for fitness for their use.1.2 This guide identifies known regulations and regulatoryframeworks worldwide pertaining to packaging materials forholding foods during irradiation;but it does not address allregulatory issues associated with the selection and use ofpackaging materials for foods to be irradiated.It is theresponsibility of the user of this guide to determine thepertinent regulatory issues in each country where foods are tobe irradiated and where irradiated foods are distributed.1.3 This guide does not address all of the food safety issuesassociated with the synergistic effects of irradiation and pack-aging as food preservation techniques on the extension of shelflife or food quality.It is the responsibility of the user of thisguide to determine the critical food safety issues and to conductappropriate product assessment tests to determine the compat-ibility between the packaging application and irradiation rela-tive to changes in sensory attributes and shelf life.1.4 This guide does not address the use of irradiation as aprocessing aid for the production or sterilization of foodpackaging materials.1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2E170 Terminology Relating to Radiation Measurements andDosimetryE460 Practice for Determining Effect of Packaging on Foodand Beverage Products During StorageE462 Test Method for Odor and Taste Transfer From Pack-aging Film(Withdrawn 1998)3F1355 Guide for Irradiation of FreshAgricultural Produce asa Phytosanitary TreatmentF1356 Practice for Irradiation of Fresh and Frozen Red Meatand Poultry to Control Pathogens and Other Microorgan-isms1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E61 on RadiationProcessing and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E61.05 on FoodIrradiation.Current edition approved Feb.1,2009.Published March 2009.Originallyapproved in 1995.Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F1640 03.DOI:10.1520/F1640-09.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 F1736 Guide for Irradiation of Finfish and Aquatic Inverte-brates Used as Food to Control Pathogens and SpoilageMicroorganismsF1885 Guide for Irradiation of Dried Spices,Herbs,andVegetable Seasonings to Control Pathogens and OtherMicroorganisms3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 absorbed dosequantity of ionizing radiation energyimparted per unit mass of specified material.The SI unit forabsorbed dose is the gray(Gy),where one gray is equivalent tothe absorption of 1 joule per kilogram of the specified material(1Gy=1 J/kg).3.1.1.1 DiscussionA standard definition of absorbed doseappears in Terminology E170.3.1.2 absorbed-dose ratethe absorbed dose in a materialper incremental time interval;ie.,the quotient of dD by dt(D=dD/dt).The SI unit for absorbe