Wooden pallets, compared to plastic, are better for food shipments! So says Institut für Holztechnologie in Dresden. The Institut compared the microbial properties of standard EPAL Euro pallets and H1 plastic pallets. The European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB) has highlighted details of this latest research. It demonstrates that food is more prone to bacteria on plastic pallets.
The Institut für Holztechnologie carried out this study on behalf of EPAL Germany between February 2018 and December 2019. The study found that bacteria had a lower survival rate on the wooden surface compared with plastic and that wooden pallets are suitable for use in hygiene-sensitive areas, including food processing and transport.
The results also clearly showed that the rough sections caused by wear on the surface of plastic pallets provide ideal conditions for the growth of bacteria. Wood, meanwhile, has natural antibacterial properties that prevent microorganisms
from spreading.
“Wooden Pallets have an antibacterial activity that is more than thirteen times higher than that of H1 plastics
According to the study, wooden pallets have an antibacterial activity that is more than thirteen times higher than that of
the H1 plastics.
The pallets were tested according to certified methods, had all been used at least once and were not cleaned before
testing.
The findings of the study built on previous research. The 2016 report by Aviat et al reviewed 86 publications to discover if contact between wood and food is safe. The report concluded that wood’s rough surface and porous structure often creates conditions that resist microorganisms.
‘These results are the latest confirmation that wooden pallets and packaging are the right choice for food and other hygiene-sensitive supply chains – in addition to them being the most sustainable and economic option,’ said Ceelaert. ‘Despite the fact that wood has long been used safely alongside food in hygiene-sensitive environments and has been supported by the outcomes of previous research, our credentials have been challenged by certain other industries. The study provides further clear evidence that wood is not just a suitable choice for these uses, it is the first choice.’
For more information, please contact: info@fefpeb.eu