Coronavirus - Your Food, Your Cannabis, Your CBD

Are You Protecting Your Food, Cannabis/Hemp and CBD from Coronavirus and other destructive properties?

Health and wellness aside, we’ve seen the coronavirus have a huge impact on numerous aspects of the global economy, and the food and cannabis industry is no exception, and this is just the industry – not to mention the products themselves. N2 Preserve, from St. Paul Minnesota, has a direct answer regarding the product and its safety.

First, what about the products.

Regarding cannabis, hemp and CBD markets - many of these products are made in China where this all began. Not just vape cartridges, lighters, paraphernalia and packaging supplies – but cannabis and (primarily) hemp, with many types of CBD products - all manufactured or grown in China. According to a Forbes article titled: “China Is Blaming Canada For Its Cannabis Problem but Is Producing 50% Of the World's Supply”. The coronavirus has brought this to a screeching halt. All while products made or grown in the USA have been booming and taking over a major role.

However, this too could come to an abrupt halt if steps are not taken to protect the product and process itself. This includes food supply chains.

The question quickly becomes – where did you get yours?

How the product is handled, processed and packaged can make a big difference. This is not to say all producers and packagers are inferior or mishandling products by any means. But there is a lot of fake and poorly handled product being distributed. The consumer just needs to be aware of the possibility of exposure.

Now… what happens after you get the product home safely from a good producer, packager, dispensary or even quality food stuffs from a reputable store? Who knows if they or a friend may have been exposed or in contact with someone who has? Or, what about after the package has been opened - do you run the risk of possibly contaminating your own products?

Where did Your Product Come From?

This just released: March 13, 2020 by Marijuana News:

The coronavirus COVID-19 has many in the country on edge, working from home, and ordering lots of delivery weed.

This is to be expected. In times of economic downturn, sales increase for "vice" industries such as alcohol and tobacco. Marijuana use increased in the European economic recession of 2008. The United States hasn't seen a downturn quite like this one since cannabis has become legal in many states.

What do you do?

First, you should know who, what and where your product was grown, processed/manufactured and packaged. What type of packaging was the product placed in? Or, if you grow or process your own – how do you keep it safe and protected?

Here is a positive and professional solution. This is an excerpt taken from an article at: www.GasGenerationSolutions.com (This article doesn't mention food products, but the story and process is the same.)

Nitrogen for Marijuana / Cannabis Packaging and Processing

Research and development have proven that nitrogen flushed marijuana packaging is not only good for the freshness of foods and coffee—nitrogen packaging marijuana actually preserves THC (Tetrahydroncannabinol), and CBD (Cannabidiol).

In the absence of this process, marijuana that is exposed to oxygen and other gases in everyday environments, THC oxidizes into CBN cannabinoid, which lowers the value of the product as well as its potency.

Nitrogen flushing is currently the only known methodology for keeping marijuana rich in THC and CBD by stopping the oxidization process, and that’s exactly why all the best-known clinics, laboratories, and dispensaries of marijuana use nitrogen generators to flush-package their product.

Whether it is for medicinal use to ease pain and stimulate the appetite, or for recreational use such as what we currently see in Colorado and Washington, the loss of THC or CBD by exposure lowers its chemical efficacy. Nitrogen flush packaging marijuana is the only method any serious venture should consider when deciding to undertake all the hard work that goes into raising marijuana properly.

If you’re are willing to spend tens of thousands of dollars for the best strains, give them the best environment in which to grow, and hire the best people to ensure the best care, it goes without saying that you don’t want all the time and money spent on this process to be ruined in that final moment of truth, right before packing your product.

Nitrogen for marijuana packaging is not just a good idea—it is essential to the entire industry and the quality of the products you’re bringing to market.

Is this a good thing?

Food processors and packagers have used this nitrogen packaging technique, called M.A.P. (modified atmosphere packaging), since the 1930’s for extending the shelf life of almost all food products. Nitrogen eliminates oxidation, mold and bacteria while keeping micro-organisms from forming. You may remember the recall of lettuce and twice recalled Romain for e-coli. The USDA stated: 

M.A.P. is best defence against E. coli in shredded lettuce, says USDA

Scientists at the USDA have found that modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) provides consumers with the best protection against the food safety threat of E. coli in shredded lettuce.  

Something as simple as a Gummy

Yes, even your gummies and other edibles can become contaminated or go bad, too.

A candy maker explains how storage plays a major role regardless of the coronavirus. (Wikipedia)

Storage Conditions

Storage of gummy candies in conditions of high humidity will result in the moisture migration of water molecules from the surrounding environment into the candy. If gummy candies are exposed to an environment that is high in moisture content, it is likely that moisture will permeate the candy and increase its relative moisture content. An increase of the candy’s moisture content will increase the molecular mobility of particles in the candy, leading to a variety of unwanted outcomes such as:

• Sucrose crystallization and subsequent grainy texture.
•  A sticky candy surface.
• Diffusion of flavors out of the candy.
• Possibility of Microbial growth.

Moisture migration of gummy candies can be prevented by storing candies in conditions where the surrounding environment is equal to their own moisture content.

Solution??? Yes, there is!

Most food producers and packagers utilize M.A.P. technology for packaging products at the production facility. However, there is only one manufacturer in the world with a patented storage system that allows the consumer to utilize the benefits of M.A.P. technology safely and effectively right at home or anywhere else. Natural Storage Systems and N2 Preserve of St Paul, Minnesota (www.N2Preserve.com) (www.NaturalPreserve.com) has developed a storage system to replace M.A.P. inside your storage container - use after use, opening after opening.

While M.A.P. and nitrogen does not destroy any virus, including the coronavirus, it does create an environment to keep the product its freshest, safest and as free as possible from exposure to possible contamination. It does control moisture, mold and oxidation while preventing bacteria from forming and any pest or mite infestation.

Call, email or visit N2 Preserve today. www.N2Preserve.com, [email protected], 952-913-4716