Abstract: An antimicrobial packaging material for food stuffs containing from 0.05% to 1.5% by weight of a natural essential oil. The oil can be selected from primarily linalool and/or methylchavicol, but also from one or more of citral, geraniol, methyl cinnamate, methyl eugenol, 1,8-cineole, trans-a-bergamotene, carvacrol and thymol blended with one or more polymers selected from ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylates, including ethyl acrylate methyl methacrylate copolymers, lonomers, nylons and other hydrophilic polymers or polymers possessing functional groups capable of partially anchoring the additives and the blender mix is coated onto the food contact face of a food grade packaging film or incorporated into a food grade packaging film. A binding agent such as polyethylene glycol is added to the blend to improve the retention of the volatile oil in the polymer during processing. This material has no regulatory limitations and, at the referred concentrations, does not form detectable off-flavors.

Abstract: An antimicrobial packaging material for food stuffs containing from 0.05% to 1.5% by weight of a natural essential oil. The oil can be selected from primarily linalool and/or methylchavicol, but also from one or more of citral, geraniol, methyl cinnamate, methyl eugenol, 1,8-cineole, trans-a-bergamotene, carvacrol and thymol blended with one or more polymers selected from ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylates, including ethyl acrylate methyl methacrylate copolymers, lonomers, nylons and other hydrophilic polymers or polymers possessing functional groups capable of partially anchoring the additives and the blender mix is coated onto the food contact face of a food grade packaging film or incorporated into a food grade packaging film. A binding agent such as polyethylene glycol is added to the blend to improve the retention of the volatile oil in the polymer during processing. This material has no regulatory limitations and, at the referred concentrations, does not form detectable off-flavours.