Summary/Reader Response Draft 1

The article “Spray-on, Rinse Off Food ‘Wrapper’, Can Cut Plastic Packaging” written by Jones (2022), introduces a revolutionary solution which is capable of food preservation whilst being environmentally friendly. Most of the packaging that is used in our modern world does an excellent job in preserving the cleanliness of our food which prevents food-related illnesses. However, this comes at the cost of a large amount of plastic being thrust into our environment. With the introduction of this new spray-on wrapper, we can greatly reduce our carbon footprint by cutting down on the extensive amounts of plastic being used today. The way this wrapper works is that a biodegradable fibre, pullulan, is sprayed on the food through the “focused rotary jet spinning” (FRJS) mechanism which can easily be washed off upon consumption.  The fibre has been “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. With its organic antimicrobial substance, an experiment has proven that the spray-on coating is able to keep fruits fresh for an extended period of time while reducing the likelihood of rotting. However, due to it being a relatively new venture, researchers are still in experimentation to ensure there are no harmful by-products. Replacing food packaging with the spray-on food wrapper will be a huge leap towards sustainability because it can help reduce both plastic production as well as food wastage, provided that it has no adverse effects that can backfire.

Being the main component of the food coating, pullulan is widely used across the food industry due to its edible properties and low-calorie. Its water-solubility is another desirable characteristic making it a notch above plastic food wrappers as consumers need not worry about the hassle with disposal. Consumers may even ingest the food directly if it is inconvenient for them to rinse the coating off since it will dissolve in the mouth. (Ghosh et al., 2022). Unlike plastics, pullulan can be washed into the soil and degrades within three days (Jones, 2022). In 2016, more than 19 million metric tons of plastic waste invaded the marine ecosystem, the amount is predicted to reach 53 million metric tons per year by 2030 at this rate (Luo et al., 2022). Of which, plastic wrappers are the most common sightings along the coasts. Since plastic is not biodegradable, irresponsible disposal upsets the marine ecosystem when aquatic animals ingest or get caught in the plastic debris. The spray-on wrapper is able to eradicate the threats plastic packing has on the marine environment.

Aside from the environmental impact of replacing plastic food wrappers with the spray on coating, it also reduces food wastage. The natural ingredients thyme oil, citric acid, and nisin portray bacterial fighting properties. A study on citric acid against foodborne bacteria shows that it is able to hinder the growth of common food pathogen like Escherichia coli which thrive in harsh pH conditions (Burel et al., 2020). In recent years, supermarkets started initiatives to tackle food wastage through various donation drive. For instance, Singapore supermarket chain FairPrice collaborates with Food charity Food from the Heart (FFTH) to deliver unsold food with blemishes or damaged packaging to needy families (Liu, Tan, 2020). However, many fresh produces like fruits and vegetables are still being dumped daily as they are highly susceptible to oxidation, easily losing its freshness, often becoming unsuitable for donation due to the uncertainty of their quality. With the introduction of the innovative coating, such food wastage can be reduced. An experiment conducted on avocados has proven a significant delay in the oxidation process of the avocados; 9 in 10 of the fruits covered in the new coating stayed green as compared to only 5 in the 10 of the bare fruits (Jones, 2022). 

Although the spray-on wrapper displays attractive features that can overcome negative impacts of current plastic packagings, the rise of a new innovation calls for new challenges. A behaviour seen in Singapore during the nation lockdown to curb the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus showed that patrons would stock-up food by buying in bulk. The innovative food wrapper which can extend the shelf-life of food will appeal to consumers. As a result, pushing patrons to overbuy food at supermarket which they intend to keep for long, potentially leading to more food wastage. 

The harmful impacts of plastic on the environment are irreversible. Replacing food packaging with the new spray-on food wrapper can do a great part in sustainability. The public has to be well-informed about the new innovation so as to reduce social consequences it can possibly bring.