Natural and organic foods require careful packaging to maintain the integrity of the seal and also to prevent contamination. Flexible packaging is an economical and sanitary way to package a variety of natural foods.
Some things to avoid when purchasing packaged foods include
Bisphenol A (BPA). If buying canned or plastic foods, look for cans and packaging that are BPA-free, as BPA is a known endocrine disruptor. If the package does not clearly state that it is BPA-free, it probably is not.
Artificial food coloring. Processing and packaging can absorb colors from foods, and manufacturers add dyes to bring them back to life. These harmful additives have been linked to cancer, ADHD, allergies, and more.
Preservatives. There are many additives that preserve food; we tend to avoid sulfites, nitrites, sodium benzoate, BHA and BHT.
Canola and/or sunflower oil. This is a common ingredient you’ll see on labels because canola oil is cheap, but it’s also genetically modified and highly processed and has gone rotten. More on how to choose healthy cooking oils here.
Trans fats/hydrogenated oils. Our bodies don’t actually recognize the chemical structure of trans fats, which can lead to diseases such as high cholesterol, heart disease and cancer. Look for “hydrogenated” or “partially hydrogenated” oils in the ingredients list to detect trans fats.
Refined sugar. Sugar is addictive and can affect obesity, diabetes, mood disorders, hormone imbalances, cancer, tooth decay and cardiovascular disease. Sugar can disguise itself under many names, including sucrose, glucose, fructose, corn syrup, maltodextrin and more – get a list of other names for sugar here.
Artificial sweeteners. Used as a way to lose weight and balance blood sugar levels, artificial sweeteners have damaged our health by causing weight gain, increasing our risk of cancer, disrupting gut health, and damaging the liver, just to name a few. Skip aspartame, sucralose, sugar alcohols (xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, etc.) and potassium acetyl sulfamate.
Add sugar. Sometimes sugar shows up in places you wouldn’t expect, such as ketchup, crackers, salad dressings or bread. Always check the label for added sugar.
Natural flavors. Natural flavors are a broad term, and they may or may not be safe. If you see natural flavors on the label, contact the company to determine what they actually are.
MSG. This flavor enhancer is found in many processed foods and can cause neurotoxicity, headaches, obesity, liver damage, allergic reactions and reproductive problems.
Gluten and dairy products. Since the Culinary Nutrition Specialist Program is gluten and dairy free, we avoid products that contain gluten and dairy products.
Doypack with zippers, flat bottom bags with holes and classic pillow style bags are great options for displaying today’s natural foods on store shelves.
With KITECH packers, you can package oatmeal, vegan flakes, new protein sources, vegetarian and vegan, and gluten-free foods in a variety of food-safe soft pouches.