Toughened polyamide for food packaging and health care applications

A film obtained from a thermoplastic composition comprising:

• (1) from about 65 to about 90 weight % of a polyamide;
• and
• (2) from about 5 to about 35 weight % of a modifier comprising an ionomeric composition comprising a copolymer of
• (a) ethylene;
• (b) from about 5 weight % to about 15 weight % of an alpha, beta-unsaturated C3-C8 carboxylic acid;
• (c) from about 0.5 weight % to about 12 weight % of at least one comonomer that is an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or derivative thereof selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, maleic anhydride, and a C1-C4 alkyl half ester of maleic acid;
• and
• (d) from 0 weight % to about 30 weight % of monomers selected from alkyl acrylate and alkyl methacrylate, wherein the alkyl groups have from one to twelve carbon atoms;
• wherein (i) the carboxylic acid functionalities present are at least partially neutralized by one or more alkali metal, transition metal, or alkaline earth metal cations, and (ii) the film held a temperature of less than −1° C. at least 50% of the time is capable of supporting a weight of at least about 165 grams dropped onto the film from a height of 66 cm above the film.