When a product can't be trusted, the supply chain suffers. Recently, there have been several high-profile recalls for contaminated food products. Such events not only cause health problems but also damage suppliers' reputations.

To meet this concern among food producers and distributors, Orbis now in-corporates Microban antimicrobial protection into the plastic used to produce its line of food containers. Microban, an additive produced by Microban Products Co., inhibits the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew and fungi by penetrating the microbe's cell walls, preventing its growth and ability to reproduce. It is intended to provide added protection for food products between container washings. According to the company, this is a first in the U.S.

"The Microban is incorporated into the container during the molding process," explains Debra Salemi, senior product manager for Orbis. "It is uniformly distributed throughout the plastic, so that any portion of plastic that contacts a food product is protected. Scratching the surface of the container will not limit its protection, since the Microban is included throughout."

Salemi says that adding Microban does not affect the integrity of the containers in any way. Tests have shown them to be as strong and durable as unprotected containers. Microban can be added to any container in the Orbis line upon customer request, with an average cost about 25% above the normal container price.