Resins OK'd for fatty food packaging

In June the Food and Drug Administration approved Exxon Chemical's (Houston, TX) Oppera® modified polypropylene film resins for use in direct contact with fatty foods such as salty snacks, processed meats and cheeses, and confectionery items.

Oppera resins were previously known as Exxon HP3. They're used in oriented, cast and shrink films, in either monolayer or multilayer constructions, and they're said to have better physical properties than conventional PP film. According to David C. Anderson, market development manager in polypropylene, the resins comply with food additive regulation 21 CFR 177.1520. Three Oppera grades are available, produced for North American supply at the company's Baytown, TX, plant. "The resins have been used commercially where moisture barrier is demanded, such as with tobacco products," notes Anderson. "We're now in the early developmental trial stages with Oppera with converters and food companies."

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