B&G COLLABORATE WITH SKYMARK TO DEVELOP REUSABLE ANTIBACTERIAL CARRIER BAG

Leading UK flexible packaging manufacturer Skymark has been working in collaboration with B&G products, manufacturer of reusable bags and pouches, to create a reusable cool bag that prevents the growth of bacteria.
The insulated bag is designed to inhibit 99.9 per cent of bacterial growth, thanks to its inbuilt Biomaster® antimicrobial technology.
Phil Perrin, business development manager at Skymark, said: “Recent studies have found harmful bacteria can survive for up to eight weeks in the lining of a reusable shopping bag. It follows that reusable cool bags could support bacteria in a similar way and consumers needed a safe affordable product that prevents potential cross contamination between shopping trips.”
The new cool bag incorporates a special multilayer inner film and is designed to help maintain warm goods at a good temperature and keep chilled or frozen products cold.
Mr Perrin continued: “Previously we’d been working with B&G on a new product development, utilising Skymark’s unique production line to manufacture a new inner layer in their cool bag, to enhance performance. Together we decided to refine the new material further and include anti-microbial technology from leading solutions provider, Addmaster. This resulted in the product being a hybrid technology that is highly effective in all of the core requirements of the end product.”

The inbuilt antimicrobial technology from Addmaster uses silver ion based additives that are designed to help prevent cross contamination from bacteria such as Campylobacter, which is widely recognised as a key challenge for the food retail supply chain.

According to the Food Standards Agency, Campylobacter is the most common form of food poisoning in the UK, with an estimated 280,000 people a year affected by it. Cross contamination from poultry products being the source in most cases.

B&G commercial director Peter Ralten explains: “Campylobacter can be present on the outer packaging of chicken products and can be transferred to bags when carrying the products home. This cool bag will help to protect and eliminate dangerous bacteria such as campylobacter. This patent pending technology makes B&G cool bags the choice for safely transporting consumers’ chilled and frozen products.”

For more information, please visit www.skymark.co.uk and www.bandgproducts.com