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Food & Beverage Industry

New study validates light blocking efforts: teens taste light-oxidation in milk and don't like it

Dairy Foods, Sept, 2002 by Kathryn Chapman

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High-density polyethylene (HDPE) dominates the jug business because of its low cost, durability and light weight. However, standard HDPE resin produces a translucent container, which offers little protection against UV light. Adding pigments blocks light, therefore protects against harmful UV rays. Yellow or white are the most popular colors. While objection to this solution may be that consumers can't see how much milk is in the container, consumers can't see the milk in paperboard containers either. One solution is to put a "see-through strip" in the opaque jug; the milk will still have some light protection, especially if the strip is placed away from the light.

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Adding UV light-blocking agents to clear plastic has the advantage of allowing visible light through so the consumer can see the milk in the jug. Eastman Chemical Co., Voridian div., Kingsport, Tenn. makes single serve and quart polyethylene tereph-thalate (PET) with UV blockers by attaching an absorbing unit to the main chain of the polymer. Amber tinted PET and PET with UV light-blocking agents are competitive alternatives to pigmented HDPE.

Many dairy processors are investing in packaging to make sure that their product is protected from the harmful effects of light. Despite the increased packaging cost, sales have increased and so have profits. Dairy processors should not be intimidated by the additional cost of light blocking bottles. It is a financial risk that is worth taking. In fact, most dairies that have made these packaging changes don't view it as risk, but rather, as a step in the right direction. Here are a few success stories:

The dairy industry leader Dean Foods Co., Dallas, has several processors that use protective packaging. Mayfield Dairy Farms, Athens, Tenn., is well-known in its marketing areas for its distinctive yellow pigmented Flavor Tight [TM] jugs. Mayfield is one of the first dairies to switch to an opaque jug, more than 8 years ago. Through a partnership with Land O'Lakes, Arden Hills, Minn., Dean manufactures Land O Lakes brand milk, which is packaged in white opaque HDPE jugs, made with opaque resin. Dean's subsidiary Morningstar Foods bottles Hershey's milk in Mt. Crawford, Va., in HDPE single-serve bottles. The bottles have three layers including a carbon black layer that helps prevent light damage.

H. P. Hood, Chelsea, Mass., developed the LightBlock Bottle[TM] in 1997 to protect its milk from the harmful effects of light. Providing consumers with the best tasting and most nutritious milk possible is consistent with Hood's brand equity, according to Lynne Bohan, director of public relations.

"Sales have definitely increased," Bohan said. "Since the launch of the LightBlock Bottle in Oct. 1997, Hood's market share has more than doubled, because of consumer confidence in the product. Consumers have been happy."

Crowley Foods, Binghamton, N.Y., rolled out a Flavor Savor[TM] bottle for its PenSupreme brand in the fall of 2001. Sales of the brand have been up 40% since its introduction and Jerry Gaube, special projects manager, expects further growth. Crowley blow molds its own bottles using a resin pebble titanium dioxide.

Food & Beverage Industry

New study validates light blocking efforts: teens taste light-oxidation in milk and don't like it

Dairy Foods, Sept, 2002 by Kathryn Chapman

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