Receives certificate of excellence for developing sustainable packaging material
Dr Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad, Assistant Professor, Department of Paper Technology, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee, and his team, has received a certificate of excellence and a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh for winning the Eat Right Research Award 2022- Team, formulated by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The award was handed over by Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr Mansukh Mandaviya recently in New Delhi.
Dr Gaikwad’s work got selected under the Eat Sustainable theme. His work revolves around development of ethylene scavenging functional paper from pine needle waste to create sustainable packaging materials in the future, reported India Today. “The paper-based product can scavenge ethylene gas due to the porous structure and active compound incorporated in the paper. After harvesting, ethylene gas is made by fresh produce itself, and it helps in the ripening of fruits and vegetables in a short span, without hampering their nutritional quality. In addition, it also increases their shelf life for at least one week”, said Dr Gaikwad.
The research is now open and already in communication with a couple of food companies. The team will be starting the production soon.
“Pine needle-based paper packaging is a highly efficient and cost-saving alternative for the community to move, carry, and keep various items. The usage of paper-based packaging is emerging daily, as it is engineered to be sturdy yet lightweight and is customisable to meet product- or customer-specific needs. It is a substitute for single-use plastic” added Dr Gaikwad.
After receiving immense recognition by FSSAI-Eat Right Research Awards, the team plans to fabricate paper bottles for liquid food products for a new start in the area of sustainable packaging.
The overall objective of Eat Right Research Awards is to encourage and recognise high-quality research in the area of food safety and nutrition in India which can be adapted/ adopted by FSSAI to further strengthen its role in the country in order to update or upgrade food formulations and technologies (as per the standards defined); awareness and availability of more variants of safe and healthy food; and to foster a culture of scientific thinking among students and research community.