Blog

Modified Atmosphere Packaging

Food packaging has developed strongly in recent years, mainly due to increased demands on product safety, shelf-life extension, cost-efficiency, environmental issues, and consumer convenience. To improve the performance of packaging in meeting these varied demands, innovative modified- and controlled-atmosphere packaging, and active and intelligent packaging systems are being developed, tested, and optimized in laboratories around the world.

At the same time, Indian agriculture has registered impressive growth over the last few decades and helped India to mark its global presence. Grain production has been steadily increasing due to advanced production technologies, but improper storage resulted in high losses. During storage, quantitative as well as qualitative losses occur due to insects, rodents, and microorganisms. Grain storage plays an important role in preventing losses which are caused mainly due to weevils, beetles, moths, and rodents. It is estimated that 60-70% of food grain produced in the country is stored at a home level in indigenous storage structures, however, they are not suitable for storing grains for very long periods.
Here lies the significance of improved and scientific storage of grains.

What is Modified Atmosphere Packaging?

'According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), modified atmosphere packaging "involves either actively or passively controlling or modifying the atmosphere surrounding the product within a package made of various types and/or combinations of films."

A modified atmosphere is one that has been purposefully made by changing the atmospheric gases' normal composition and distribution. This is done when it comes to packaging by altering or regulating the composition of the gases that are enclosed in each container in order to provide the ideal circumstances for extending the shelf life and minimizing oxidation and spoilage of perishable food and beverage goods.

Modified atmosphere packaging comes in two varieties: passive and active. The FDA defines active modified atmosphere packaging as "the displacement of gases in the package, which is then replaced by a desired mixture of gases" and passive modified atmosphere packaging as "when the product is packaged using a selected film type, and the desired atmosphere develops naturally as a consequence of the products' respiration and the diffusion of gases through the film."

How does MAP work?

Modified atmosphere (MA) works by applying a very deep vacuum to the 100% airtight high-barrier liners within the external FIBC big bags. After this, the bags are gas flushed with either nitrogen or carbon dioxide. This results in residual oxygen levels inside of the liners being < 1% and an inert atmosphere.

This method of packaging is a bio-based substitute for pest control since it kills insects. But there are more benefits. A modified Atmosphere also reduces mold formation, degradation, and oxidation of the product. Storing commodities with MAP technology helps preserve optimal moisture content, aromas, and flavor. Therefore, MAP has the potential to greatly increase the shelf-life of the products.

Numerous commodities, including food powders, food items, nuts, dehydrated fruit, pharmaceutical API powders, grain, coffee, rice, tea, chemical and fine chemical powders, pigments, and many others, can be protected and stored using this technique.

Here at KPL we are at your service to provide you with the best of technology and satisfaction that pales any doubt about quality.