"Luquasorb" FP 800 superabsorbent from BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) has gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in indirect food contact packaging applications. The authorisation covers packaging for poultry, meat, fish as well as fruit and vegetables.

Superabsorbents are crosslinked polyacrylates that can absorb and bind huge amounts of liquid: up to 500 times their weight. Small amounts of high-performance superabsorbent granules can be incorporated as a filler in the manufacture of soaker pads used in food packaging. Liquids such as traces of blood or watery juices are bound into the soaker, making the food stay fresh longer and look more attractive.