Innovations in Edible Food and Beverage Packaging

Edible coatings for protecting foods like fruits, vegetables, and processed foods from moisture loss, UV damage, and nutrient leaching. The coatings are made from nanocellulose and nano calcium carbonate. The coatings are edible, transparent, and provide barrier properties against water, gases, and UV light. They prevent moisture loss, prevent UV damage, and prevent nutrient leaching in fruits and vegetables. The coatings can be applied before or after harvest to mitigate post-harvest damage. The coatings can also be used to protect frozen foods from drip loss during thawing.

Packaged food concentrates, like soup bases, where the package has an edible primary package in contact with the concentrate and a recyclable secondary package. The edible primary package provides barrier properties to protect the concentrate. The edible primary package uses materials like alginate, gellan gum, wax, chitosan, or pectin to provide barrier properties like oxygen, water, and grease resistance. This allows using edible packaging for long-shelf-life concentrates without touching by consumers. The secondary recyclable package protects the edible primary package from being touched.

Edible film and coating compositions for food packaging that have antimicrobial properties to prevent spoilage and foodborne illnesses. The compositions contain a conjugate of bio-fiber gum and whey protein isolate, as well as food grade antimicrobials like essential oils. The conjugated bio-fiber gum and whey protein isolate improves film properties like water sensitivity and gas permeability. The antimicrobials provide active protection against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These films can be applied to foods to extend shelf life and reduce waste by inhibiting spoilage and pathogen growth.

An edible seaweed sheet with improved texture and shelf life, and a method to prepare it. The sheet contains a seaweed layer sandwiched between grain layers, with a moisture barrier coating on selected surfaces. The barrier prevents moisture ingress to maintain crispness. The sheet is made by bonding grain and seaweed sheets, then coating a barrier on the bonded areas and one side.

Edible coating and active packaging films made from sodium alginate and a seaweed called Padina pavonica to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. The films have antioxidant and antimicrobial properties that inhibit post-harvest spoilage when applied as coatings or packaging. They provide an alternative to refrigeration and modified atmospheres for preserving quality without adding costly chemicals. The alginate-seaweed films are edible and biodegradable.

Edible cup cover that seals the opening of a paper cup to prevent spills. The cover is made of edible materials like wafers or starch structures instead of plastic. This allows the cover to be eaten after use, eliminating disposable plastic lids. The edible cover protects the contents from spills and pollution during transport. It also provides a healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic lids.

Biodegradable seaweed film coated with beeswax that has improved moisture resistance and tensile strength. The film is made from seaweed extracts like kelp and algae, with plasticizers like glycerol added. Beeswax is then applied to one side of the film. This process increases the moisture resistance and tensile strength of the biodegradable seaweed film compared to just coating with beeswax or using beeswax in the film.

Preparing edible food packaging films with antibacterial properties using natural ingredients like cyclodextrins, konjac glucomannan, and essential oils like perilla oil. The films are made by dissolving high-amylose corn starch and konjac glucomannan in water, adding cyclodextrin solutions and essential oils, and forming the film by evaporation. The films contain entrapped supermolecules like cyclodextrin that have antibacterial properties. The films are used for preserving foods like dried fruits, meats, and breads by releasing the antimicrobials over time. The films also have good moisture barrier and mechanical properties.

Edible packaging material that can be consumed after use to eliminate the environmental problem of disposable packaging. The material is made from edible components that can be digested by the body. The packaging contains a mixture of pullulan, starch, and protein in specific proportions. The pullulan acts as a binding agent, starch provides structure, and protein adds strength. This allows the packaging to be molded and used as a replacement for conventional disposable packaging like foam boxes and plastic bags. After use, it can be consumed along with the contents without harm. The edible packaging degrades in the digestive system like food.

Edible beverage packaging bottle made of biodegradable materials and a preparation method that allows for simple production of the bottle. The bottle has an edible film coating both inside and outside the main body and lid. The main body and lid are made from a specific mixture of flour, tower powder, shrimp shell powder, fibers, seeds, gum, modifier, butter, salt, and sugar. The edible film is made from potato starch, oil, vinegar, fiber, seaweed, pineapple fiber, and water. The biodegradable materials used in the bottle make it environmentally friendly and edible, reducing waste and pollution compared to conventional plastic bottles.

Edible film composition for delivering predetermined amounts of edible compositions like mouth fresheners, churans, etc. to the oral cavity. The film quickly disintegrates in the mouth. The film composition contains a water-dispersible, film-forming material. The edible composition is wrapped in the film manually or mechanically. This provides a fixed dose and hygienic consumption compared to loose powders. The film thickness is 1-30 microns. The process involves shredding the film with colors and flavors to make edible glitter-like pieces.

Simplified packaging structure for food products that reduces environmental pollution and cost compared to existing packaging. The packaging involves wrapping the food in edible film instead of separate bags and containers. The edible film can be made of materials like starch or gelatin that dissolve in the mouth. This eliminates the need for separate plastic bags and containers that can pollute the environment. The edible film also avoids the issue of degrading plastics leaching into the food. If the edible film ends up in the environment, it will decompose quickly without pollution. The simplified packaging structure reduces cost by eliminating separate bags and containers. The food can be consumed directly from the edible film wrapper.

Pre-made, edible wrapper for roasted marshmallows that simplifies the preparation and consumption of s'mores. The wrapper is made from a combination of graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow, rolled into a thin, round shape. This allows roasting the marshmallow directly on the wrapper instead of on a stick. The wrapper prevents messiness and oozing like traditional s'mores. It also eliminates the need for separate components since the wrapper already has graham cracker and chocolate. The pre-made wrapper is flexible and doesn't break like graham crackers. It can be easily roasted over a fire, picked up, and eaten without the mess.

Thin, crisp, and flexible edible films made from fruit, vegetables, or a combination thereof that can replace seaweed-based films like nori. The films have unique properties like thinness, low moisture content, and low water activity that allow them to wrap foods like sushi and onigiri. The films are made by casting solutions containing at least 75% fruit, vegetable, or fruit-vegetable puree onto a substrate, drying them into films. The films have thicknesses of 4-7 mils, moisture contents of 4-8%, and water activities of 0.2-0.6.

Edible, biodegradable, and compostable food packaging and service items made from a mix formulation that can replace conventional disposable items like plastic cups and containers. The formulation uses water, starch, natural fibers, waxes, proteins, mold release agents, flavorings, and colorings to create edible packaging that is strong, biodegradable, and compostable. The mixture is poured into molds and baked to form the packaging items. The natural fibers replace mineral fillers for structural rigidity. The edible packaging can be used for ice cream cones, pie shells, cake trays, etc. and provides a sustainable alternative to non-biodegradable disposables.

Edible food packaging film made from bacterial cellulose that is biodegradable, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly. The packaging film is made by processing bacterial cellulose, which is produced by bacteria. This provides a sustainable and natural alternative to synthetic food packaging materials. The bacterial cellulose film has properties like resistance to moisture, oxygen, and solutes, making it suitable for food packaging applications like meat, fruits, vegetables, and instant food.

Edible film packaging for confectionery products that releases ingredients like flavors, sensations, and active agents when eaten. The packaging contains an edible film and sealable components inside. The center of the package can have components like cold, heat, effervescence, microbicide, or succulence that are released when eaten. This allows customized release of ingredients like cold or heat sensations from the packaging itself. The film can be made using edible ingredients like pectin, agar, glycerin, and sweeteners.

A food packaging material that eliminates the risk of contamination from non-edible components like inks and coatings. The packaging is a composite structure with an edible film as the inner layer that contacts the food. The outer layers can be traditional packaging materials like paper, aluminum, or plastic. This allows for normal printing and coating on the outer layers while preventing those materials from coming into contact with the food. The edible inner film shapes the package and touches the food, eliminating any potential contamination from the outer layers.

Edible packets containing confectionery ingredients that dissolve in the mouth. The packets are made of self-sealing edible films that enclose a center composition like xylitol. The films have a retained water level of 3-15% and can be sealed against themselves. This allows producing packets that dissolve in the mouth without disintegrating. The packets can contain cool, fizzing, breath-freshening, germ-killing, or mouth-watering centers. The films are made from polymers like HPMC, CMC, and gums.

Disposable food container made entirely of edible materials that can be consumed after use. The container has two layers made of an edible flour-water dough that form the main body. An intermediate layer between the two is made of a mixture of aloe vera extract and honey. This provides stability and resistance to the container. The edible layers contain the food without affecting taste. After use, the container can be eaten along with the contained food. The biodegradable materials avoid waste and disposal issues.