The publication of third-party, peer-reviewed research in a recent edition of the Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, supports the corrugated industry’s commitment to science and facts when communicating about packaging materials.  

The Dr. Ricke’s study showed that even when cleaning and sanitizing agents were used, biofilms that protect bacteria such as salmonella, listeria, and e.coli on the containers’ surface were difficult to remove. 

"We’re pleased to see the University of Arkansas’s research published in a scientific journal. It reinforces our industry’s commitment to use science in seeking facts about the performance of packaging materials," said Dennis Colley, president and CEO of the Fibre Box Association (FBA), Itasca, Ill., USA.

  

By contrast, a separate research study showed the process of combining linerboard and medium to make corrugated packaging is sufficient to destroy common food pathogens, effectively meeting the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) requirements for chemical sanitizers. 

The research article about Dr. Ricke’s study can be found in Taylor and Francis’s Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part B, 2016, Volume 51, No. 9, 602 – 608.

FBA is a non-profit trade association representing North American manufacturers of corrugated packaging. The association has been working for more than 76 years to improve the overall well-being of the corrugated industry through programs and services that enable member companies to conduct their business more effectively, responsibly, and efficiently.