ball cooksup microwavable steel can  the material will allow processors to offer products in a packaging material suited to the convenience food segment, which continues to show strong growth. microwave energy cannot pass through steel, making the material traditionally unsuitable for products meant to be cooked this way. conventional microwavable food is packaged using polymeric or paperbased materials transparent to mocrowave radiation, but the shelf life is considerably lower than food packaged in steel. ball claims its fusiontek product overcomes the problems by combining a cylinder made from recycled steel with plastic ends that form the seals. the combination allows microwave energy to penetrate the plastic ends of the can, creating a channel for microwave energy to pass through and heat the contents. the material also offers a shelf life similar to that of regular steel cans, normally about 18 to 24 months, the company claims. the product inside can be heated within three minutes to temperatures of 170c, 338f, the company claims, making the packaging suitable for soups, stews, vegetables, baked beans. fluorochemicalfree grease resistant paper launched boise paper launched its first fluorochemicalfree oil and grease resistant ogr paper, following growing consumer concerns over the health risks associated with the group of chemicals.the environmental protection agency epa pushed manufacturers earlier this year to reduce the chemicals presence in products by 95 per cent no later than 2010, and completely by 2015. fluorochemicals are used in nonstick and ogr food packaging linings, such those incorporated first gammaresistant rfid tag created advantapure is claiming to have created the first radio frequency identification rfid tag resistant to gamma irradiation.using gamma irradiation to sterilise food is a problem for processors wishing to embrace rfid technology because gamma rays cause the tags to malfunction. gammatag, which is both readable and writable, overcomes the problem by being completely resistant to irradiation, its manufacturer claims.  using the gammatag, processors and producers can now tag products at the beginning of the supply chain, rather than having to make the decision to attach an rfid tag after irradiation is complete, or not at all.  nano sensor slashes pathogen detection time, inventors claim a handheld sensor under development uses nanoparticles to detect foodborne bacteria in 15 minutes, its inventors claim.scientist su dwarkanath and her husband sri satyanarayana, and engineer, are targeting the new sensor at a tool for the quick dectection of ecoli and other pathogens in foods. it can normal testing can take up to 24 hours they claim.  the device offers a way to speed up detection, allowing processors to release products for distribution earlier and to spot contamination problems before goods leave the plant.the couple have formed nano science diagnostics nsd, a company based in austin, texas. the company is developing the technology for food distributors and public health authorities. dwarkanath developed the technology during research she did for the us army, which was looking for a way to detect anthrax quickly in extremely low concentrations in public spaces such as a building. the two have created a kit, cartridge and hand held  instrument and their company is now in the testing mode.  packing films tackling luxury goods counterfeiters clarifoil is presenting its counterfeiting measures at the luxepack exhibition. used for packaging of luxury goods, beauty and healthcare products all sectors targeted by counterfeiters clarifoil is readily distinguishable from commodity plastic films by touch and by a chemical test.   offers          plastics tubes as per dmf with breakoff seals          pet bottles plant 7 shrink sleeve          cold storage for vegetables & seeds          25mm screw caps for pet bottles new members          mtech innovations ltd          export syndicate          m r industries & exports          regent plast p ltd          kl thermoformersevents          march 2729 paris mdd expo 2007, international privatelabel food tradeshow by jangil. at parisnord villepinte. to register, go to www.mddexpo.com.          april 2426 atlanta southpack 2007, packaging technologies exhibition by canon communications llc. to register, go to www.devicelink.com.          april 2629 bangkok pack print international, regional packaging and printing technologies exhibition by messe dsseldorf. at bangkok intl and trade exhibition center. call beattrice ho via email beattrice@mda.com.sg. import emails          press@packagingconnections.com          jobs@packagingconnections.com          offers@packagingconnections.com          info@packagingconnections.com more details at www.packagingconnections.com new press releasescommission report on packaging and packagng waste directive. more details at download section of www.packagingconnections.com  enjoy packagingthe editor