Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

????????????????Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

?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 can be defined as one that is specially created by altering the natural distribution and makeup of atmospheric gases. When applied to packaging, this involves modifying or controlling the makeup of gases contained within each package to provide optimal conditions for increasing the shelf life and reducing oxidation and spoilage of perishable food and beverage products.

There are two different kinds of modified atmosphere packaging: 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."

Types of MAP:-

1.?????Gas flushing- During a gas flush process, a harmless gas (usually nitrogen) is actively pumped into the bag before sealing to displace ambient oxygen. This is done to decrease the amount of oxygen inside the package, which will in turn decrease the rate of spoilage, as oxygen is one of the top killers of freshness. Nitrogen gas flush is a MAP option that many of our clients add to their packaging line.

2.?????Barrier packaging films- barrier packaging materials that provide decreased permeability to moisture and oxygen, such as low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polypropylene (PP), according to FDA.

3.?????Desiccant packs- they act as catalysts or activators, absorbing ambient moisture and oxygen, thereby removing it from the interior of the packaging that houses the perishable product.

4.?????On- package valves- allow certain gases to escape from the package without allowing any outside gases in. This is often done to release pressure created from off-gassing, which is when products release gases or other compounds.

How MAP protects food?

MAP protects fresh food by decreasing its exposure to oxygen. Oxygen leads to oxidation, which can cause discoloration, spoilage, and off-flavours and textures. By decreasing or controlling the amount of oxygen present in a package, the food product remains fresher longer, extending its shelf life and ensuring it remains attractive to consumers. Modified Atmosphere Packaging became especially important during the COVID-19 outbreak of 2020. Consumers were instructed to leave their homes as infrequently as possible, so many began stocking up on food products with longer shelf lives.

?Applications in Food industry:-

1.?????Coffee Roasters- MAP packaging in the form of ONE-WAY VALVES that allow for the release of carbon dioxide from the coffee bag without letting any ambient environmental gases or contaminants in. This allows for packaging coffee beans at the height of their freshness, preserving the flavours and quality that consumer’s desire.

?2.?????Fresh fruits and vegetables- Fresh produce is especially sensitive to environmental conditions and oxidation (often degrading in a matter of hours), and thus often must utilize more than one tactic to preserve their freshness and stall perishing. Nitrogen gas flush will displace oxygen within the package, thereby decreasing oxidation which leads to discoloration, off-flavours, and spoilage. Barrier packaging films double down on preservation efforts by keeping excess moisture, ambient gases, and contaminants out of the package while simultaneously maintaining the proper atmosphere inside the bag.

3.?????Snack producers- snack producers increasingly use barrier packaging films to protect the freshness of their product and extend shelf life. While barrier films usually cost more, consumers by and large are happy to pay a premium for convenient snack products that will last longer and result in less product waste.