Quality Testing Solution for Candy Packages


Candy is always popular with consumers and keeps a rapid development momentum. There are many kinds of candy and the main ingredients are granulated sugar, malt syrup, milk powder and butter, etc. Some also add essence, edible gum or starch. The candy packages have great significance in sale and storage, whose design is varied according to different target consumer groups. The elements such as branding, systematization and advertisement have become the characters of candy packages but the protecting function and the convenience of usage have been most crucial and important.



The protection function of the packages have related with the quality of the candy. As there is a big difference in candy’s ingredient, aimed at different types of candy, the requirements of the packaging materials are not the same. The candy with low water content is inclined to absorb the moisture and lead to recrystallization and dissolution, whereas the candy with high water content is easy to air shrinkage and mildew. And the starch and butter is prone to oxidative deterioration once contact with oxygen. So the function of gas and moisture barrier of the candy packages should be paid more attention to. Then the convenience of the packages has directly influenced the reputation of the products, such as failure on the jelly cup’s sealing, the jelly juice spilling in the transportation process ,which had brought negative effects in the jelly sales process.



After discussing many times with candy manufactures about how to make the perfect quality control in candy packages, it is recommended to have the following series of tests



1.The Barrier Test for Packaging Materials and the Whole Package

As oxygen and water vapor will result in candy deterioration, the control of oxygen and water vapor content around candy becomes especially important, which need to control the barrier property of the candy packages. The barrier property shows the ability of oxygen and water vapor outside goes into the packages. Meanwhile, the dissipation of the candy’s fragrance is also closely related with barrier property. But one point which must be noted is sometimes even  the packaging materials with high barrier are used, the barrier property (which may be influenced by sealability of the packages) of the overall packages would not be necessarily high. Therefore it is suggested to test both packaging materials and the overall packages of the candy. Testing of the materials can help package designer to choose the most economical and practical materials whereas the testing of the overall package can make candy manufacturers know well about the potential problems existed in package technology and make properer evaluation on candy’s shelf life. Labthink’s permeability and barrier testers can satisfy the barrier testing needs for candy packages.



2.Seal Performance Testing

The testing object of the sealing performance is the leaking point of the packages. By testing the seal property we can get the maximum pressure on packages and the leak point distribution. Also by sealing testing, package designer can determine whether the packages can meet the requirements for seal performance of the packages in storage, transportation and marketing.



The breakage of packages is mainly caused by increased internal pressure. Therefore, the detection of package seal property needs a pressure difference inside and outside of the package to simulate its actual pressure status. The implement methods are positive pressure method (Inflate air to the package to increase the pressure inside it) and negative pressure method (by vacuumizing to lower the pressure outside the packages ). Actually the candy package rarely use vacuum packaging method, so it is suggested to adopt positive pressure method to test the seal performance.



Labthink  I-LEAKTEK 6600 Leak and Seal Strength Tester is professionally applicable in seal performance test. Additionally the testing objects can be extended to spout pouch, jelly cup and soft tubes with specific testing accessories, which are very practical for various candy packages especially jelly packages.



3.Compression Resistance Test & Burst Test

The compression resistance of the candy package, which is directly related to its performance in storage, transportation and exhibition, could be determined and evaluated through compression resistance test, the related testing programs include burst resistance and puncture, etc. Labthink small-sized electronic universal testing instruments specially designed for jelly cup can have some testing programs such as simulation of stack height testing, maximum burst tolerance and set pressure measuring deformation, set deformation measuring pressure resistance and can fully realize various pressure testing for jelly cups. Additionally Labthink i-STRENTEK series tensile testers could be used to test the puncture resistance of the flexible packaging bags as well as the caps of the jelly cups with specific sample.



4.Opening Force (Tearing force) and Mechanical Performance Test of Packaging Materials

If the sealing strength of the candy packages is not strong, it will cause the sealing problem whereas too strong sealing strength can cause the inconvenience in consumers’ opening process. To obtain a reasonable seal strength value, it is needed to test and have comprehensive consideration for the heat seal property, tensile strength, puncture property, elongation rate, peel strength and 90 degree tear. Labthink i-STRENTEK series tensile testers can accomplish the above program testing and test 45 degree, 90 degree and 180 degree open force test for jelly cups. In addition, the coefficient of friction of the packaging materials can be related with the opening convenience of candy packages, so it is suggested to use Labthink i-COFTEK 3500 Friction & Peel Tester to have the test of peel strength and coefficient of friction for materials. It can accomplish the temperature control from room temperature to 99.9 degree, which makes it convenient to simulate various transportation and storage environment.



5.Printing Testing

Candy package is always featured with its gorgeous printing appearance. However, the health of the consumers could be influenced by the toxic substances contained in printing ink and solvent .In order to keep the display effect of the elegant packaging after transportation , the abrasion resistance of the package printing layer must be paid more attention to. The residual solvent testing can be finished by professional Gas Chromatograph. Now, labthink has just launched a specific gas chromatograph for food packaging safety which is widely received by customers. And the abrasion resistance of the candy package printing layer can be comprehensively tested by Labthink PARAM MCJ-01A Rub Tester, RT-01 Abrasion Tester and PARAM Printing ink layer fastness tester, which can effectively solve the problems of printing ink layer falling off and bad hardness of coating layers to ensure the candy can be shown in the best packaging effect.

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