Institute of FoodScience and Innovation

Postgraduate Certifi cate in Advances in Food and Beverage Packaging*

Institute of FoodScience and Innovation

For further information, please contact:

Institute of Food Science and InnovationDr Catherine S. Birch

e: c.birch@chester.ac.uk

The University of Chester is committed to the active promotion of equality of opportunity. Applications are particularly welcome from those groups currently under-represented in higher education. For a copy of our diversity and equality policy, please contact us at enquiries@chester.ac.uk

This document is available in larger formats upon request. Please email: enquiries@chester.ac.uk for further details.

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*Subject to validation

Why study Advances in Food and Beverage Packaging with us?

Modules

Principles of Packaging Technology

• Prevention of spoilage and contamination

• Market forces and economic costs

• Packaging formats: barrier functions; functional coatings; conservation; preservation shelf-life extension

• Retention of product characteristics

• Spoilage: prevention of egress or ingress; proliferation of microbiological contamination physical barriers; modifi ed environment; moisture; O2

• Barrier properties and packaging materials: overview and composition of current technologies; paper; plastics; glass; metal

• Performance characteristics and selection

Packaging is essential to enable eff ective distribution and preservation of food and to facilitate end-use convenience to the consumer. With packaging currently worth 2% of GDP in developed countries, there is an emerging need for new and effi cient ways to economise on business processes, ameliorate safety and quality issues through the supply chain, and reduce losses and waste in the food industry and by domestic users.

The Postgraduate Certifi cate in Advances in Food and Beverage Packaging aims to provide participants with the knowledge and skills that will enable them as managers and leaders to make informed, higher-level decisions that enhance competitiveness, innovation and new market opportunities.

Our course delivery method, modular contents and assessment procedures have been selected to facilitate entry or return to higher-level study. This is advantageous for busy professionals with other competing commitments or who have been away from higher education for some time. Collectively, these will help support and stimulate a desire for new knowledge and further upskilling for the benefi t of the UK food and drink sector industries.

What will I learn?Areas you will learn about during the course include:

• Active packaging and smart labels for enhanced traceability, supply chain monitoring, consumer protection and preservation of food

• Sustainable or biodegradable packaging products

• Nanocomposite technologies for enhanced barrier properties of packaging fi lms

• Active packaging systems and protective functions derived from antimicrobials, preservatives and atmosphere modifi cation

• Packaging associated risks – plasticisers and nanoparticles

Packaging and Consumer Perception

• Design: graphic developments; laminated surfaces and high-defi nition graphics

• Monitoring and security

• Waste and environmental impact

• Sustainability

• Legislation

• Traceability

• Labelling and regulations

Future Packaging Technology

• Responding to societal challenges

• Sustainability: biocomposites; biodegradation; minimising waste

• Role of new technology: nanotechnology; barrier materials; sensors; spoilage inhibitors

• Radio-frequency identifi cation (RFID) and smart packaging; traceability; control monitoring

• Modifi ed atmospheres

• New product development: selection and application

• Flexible packaging: selection and design

• Biodegradable and active packaging

The Learning ExperienceWe will use a blended learning delivery format compatible with workplace restrictions and supporting workforce development. Short, intensive periods of attendance that permit theoretical and practical skill development while minimising time away from the workplace will be combined with support and guided study using a Virtual Learning Environment.

Career OpportunitiesParticipants will have the opportunity to gain new knowledge and skills during the course that will give them the ability to identify relevant, innovative strategies and implement new technologies and will assist them in the identifi cation of new market opportunities. This will enable informed and strategic decisions in the workplace that will prove benefi cial to graduates and their employers.