Abstract: A one-ply or multi-ply food casing based on (co)polyamide, or which has an outer ply based on (co)polyamide, is disclosed that is printed with a printing ink cured by a free radical mechanism. The printing ink is printed on a layer of a base ink which also cures by a free radical mechanism. The base ink contains, in one and the same molecule, at least one group which can form a bond with the (co)polyamide surface, in particular an isocyanate group, and at least one ethylenically unsaturated group which can undergo a free radical polyaddition reaction, in particular a (meth)acrylate group. The print adheres firmly on the casing and is abrasion- and scratch-resistant, even without additional varnish.

Abstract: The invention relates to a seamless, tubular sausage casing based on cellulose hydrate having a continuous coating made of a polymeric material on its outer surface, which is permeable to hot smoke and cold smoke. The coating preferably has a thickness of from 3 to 10 &mgr;m and can also comprise or consist of a plurality of individual layers. The coating can be applied by conventional coating processes, and in addition also by single or repeated whole-surface printing. The casing is adapted especially for smoked liver sausage.