There are a variety of considerations in any packaging project, from the type of packaging material needed to the conditions under which the product will be shipped or stored. However, when the item in question is perishable, extra precautions must be taken to ensure quality and freshness — and that’s where modified atmosphere packaging comes in.

 

Modified atmosphere packaging, or MAP, is an umbrella term for shipping and storage solutions that help extend the shelf life of perishables. There are many MAP products and processes, which means you have different options depending on your needs.

 

Today, we’ll cover those processes, basic definitions and explanations, frequent applications and more. It’s our crash course in modified atmosphere packaging — so let’s get started!

 

What is modified atmosphere packaging?

Modified atmosphere packaging is a technological solution to the spoilage of perishables, creating a synthetic, protective atmosphere to significantly increase shelf life. To understand how it works, it’s helpful to review why a food product may spoil in the first place.

 

According to the Institute of Agriculture and Natural resources, there are a variety of factors at play in the process of food spoilage. Chief among these factors is oxidation, during which oxygen interacts with the naturally occurring elements of perishable food like fresh produce; the result is discoloration and altered texture and taste, leaving the snack less than palatable. 

 

To address this and other factors, it’s necessary to control the environment in which a food product is stored or shipped — and the best way to do that is by creating a modified atmosphere via atmosphere packaging technology. MAP allows manufacturers to carefully control the natural gasses inside the package — for example, replacing oxygen with nitrogen gas to halt the oxidation process — and extend the shelf life. In fact, in a study by the University of Santiago de Compostela, MAP reduced the effects of spoilage: After 21 days, 100% of unpackaged tomatoes showed spots, while only 42.9% of tomatoes in modified atmosphere packaging were spotted.

 

Types of modified atmosphere packaging

There are multiple types of modified atmosphere packaging technology. They include:

 

• Gas flush: In one of the most common applications of MAP, a product is placed in vacuum packaging, and a quick flushing process is performed to replace oxygen with nitrogen. When the gas composition is properly controlled, the package is sealed to delay the rate of oxidation and spoilage, increasing shelf life.

 

• Desiccant packs: Scavenger or desiccant packs are often found inside pill bottles and bear a familiar “DO NOT EAT” marking. These sachets contain a combination of iron powder, ascorbic acid or activated carbon, which enables them to absorb moisture and oxygen inside a packaged food product.

 

• Valves: One-way valves can be added to certain types of packaging, allowing gasses to escape while preventing outside gasses from reaching the product. This type of MAP is often used when a food naturally releases gasses like carbon dioxide over the course of storage or shipping; according to Food Safety Magazine, carbon dioxide can be beneficial in food packaging, but only when properly balanced with nitrogen and oxygen levels.

 

• Barrier packaging: Barrier packaging protects against oxygen transmission at different levels. Some materials have lower transmission rates than others, making them ideal for modified atmosphere packaging.

 

Benefits of modified atmosphere packaging

Although the most important benefit of modified atmosphere packaging is its ability to extend shelf life, that means more than making a product safe to consume. There are a variety of advantages beyond food safety, including:

 

Appearance 

As a food product breaks down due to oxidation, it often falls victim to unappealing marks, discoloration, stretching and a generally unpleasant texture. Even a hungry shopper will likely pass up a fruit or vegetable with a squishy, rotting appearance — so modified atmosphere packaging is important to keep foods looking their best.

 

Nutritional value

According to the BBC, foods lose their nutritional value as oxidation occurs. LiveStrong explains that this can involve the breakdown of vitamins, especially vitamins A, C and E, making foods less healthy for consumers.

 

Product protection

Although the main goal of modified atmosphere packaging is to carefully control gases inside the package, this process can also protect from certain types of external damage. This includes dents, tears, punctures and other issues that could affect the quality or safety of the food product.

 

Natural quality preservation

There are many ways to slow down the oxidation process and extend shelf life. However, many of these methods require the use of chemical preservatives. While these preservatives are widely used and closely monitored by the FDA for food safety, some consumers prefer to avoid them. MAP, therefore, represents an important alternative, delaying spoilage and simplifying the food storage process by using natural gas like nitrogen along with other chemical-free techniques for removing oxygen.

 

How modified atmosphere packaging is used

Modified atmosphere packaging plays an important role in the shipping, storage and distribution of many consumer products. It’s also an important tool for manufacturers who want to develop a reputation for high-quality items and packaging procedures.

 

Here are just a few applications of MAP:

 

• Fruit and vegetable shipping: To maintain the appearance, taste and nutritional value of fruits and vegetables, this produce is often shipped in a modified atmosphere package. This requires nitrogen gas to be pumped into the package, where it replaces oxygen that could age fresh produce more quickly. Do you have anything showing the type of packaging you are referring to here and how the Modified packaging protects the fruits and vegetables?

 

• Meat products: According to the University of Illinois, proper storage is especially important when it comes to raw meat, as disease-causing bacteria can spread quickly and ruin that perfect neighborhood barbeque. MAP helps protect meat by removing oxygen before refrigeration, which can extend shelf life and prevent freezer burn.

 

• Coffee beans: After roasting, coffee beans release carbon dioxide, which can build up in the package and eventually burst. For this reason, MAP — specifically, one-way valves — are used to protect the beans from their own CO2 production.

 

• Specialty snack foods: Certain snack foods are marketed as preservative- and chemical-free, which means their packaging needs to keep that promise as well. Modified atmosphere packaging allows consumers to enjoy a fully natural snacking experience.

 

Package like a pro

There are many types of modified atmosphere packaging, including one-way valves, gas flushing and desiccant packs. The approach comes with a long list of benefits, including maximized food safety and appearance, that make it a comfortable fit for many industries and applications.

If you’re interested in protecting your product, extending shelf life or delaying oxidation, you’ve come to the right place. Contact us today for help choosing MAP solutions that will fit your needs.