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| Sunday, 19 September 2004 |
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Business |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
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Better preservation for bottled beverages and milk by Elmo Leonard
Beginning September, consumers in Sri Lanka who purchase bottled mineral water, fruit drinks, milk, beer and the like, can look forward to having the contents they pay for preserved in conformity with the highest international standards. This is made possible with one of two local manufacturers of crown corks who use PVC lining, changing to the use of non-PVC lining which carries an inbuilt Oxygen Scavenging System (OSS). With this use, oxygen present in the head space of the bottle will be eliminated, preventing any oxygen entering the food content and oxidisation it. This process preserves the food in its original state. The use of OSS is the norm in Europe and all First World countries and conform to the US, FDA Food and Drug Authority and other specifications. The industrialist who changes into the use of non-PVC lining in crown corks, is Wilton Metal Box Co (Pvt) Ltd, Piliyandala, the company's Consultant Food Technologist, Dr ACA Shuaib said. "If a bottle of soda is flat, it means that the lining has not provided it full protection," Shuaib said. All mineral water and fruit drinks, milk and the like, including the best brands known in the world, use bottles which are recycled. Within the process of consumer use and re-use, the bottle can be microscopically chipped at its head, allowing oxygen to enter the head space. The crown cork system was granted a patent as a beverage seal in 1892; the inventor being William Painter, from the USA. Painter called it the crown cork because the metal part represented the crown used by royalty; the underside was reinforced with a film of cork, to prevent escape or entry of air. With little modifications to the crown, the cork used, had been replaced with PVC material, and now with non-PVC material. Wilton was established in 1982 and is today the second largest manufacturer of metal packaging in the island, putting out, pilfer proof metal caps, crown corks pilfer-proof caps, crown corks, lug caps, printed shrink capsules and cans for confectionery and tea. Wilton also undertakes four to six colour printing on metal sheets. Wilton has purchased the Italian SACME built machines, renowned for press and liner output, with a bank loan. The factory at Piliyandala, standing on a large extent of land was a hive of activity when we visited it on a Saturday. Dr Shuaib said that the firm's tea packing unit assists exporters who do not have the facility to pack tea in value-added packs, in addition to packing spices and confectionaries in retail units. Wilton's clients include many companies in Sri Lanka who export their produce to prestigious overseas markets, Dr Shuaib claimed. Wilton has projections of manufacturing open-top sanitary cans for fish, coconut cream and dairy products. Also, two piece beverage cans for beer and soft drinks and are on the verge of receiving export orders, they said. |
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