Smart packaging for bulk fresh produce

FRESH celery root deteriorates in the presence of mold and dehydration caused by the inappropriate amount of oxygen in the packaging. For one, it can lead to substantial weight loss by the time the product reaches the retailer. 

 

According to PerfoTec, this can be prevented by using bulk plastic packaging and also in knowing the oxygen transmission rates needed by the fruit or vegetable to stay fresh. This amount which varies from produce to produce can be measured by taking the respiration rate of the fruit or vegetable, and then using the data to adapt the appropriate film permeability through micro perforations in the packaging, the company said.

 

PerfoTec, based in the Netherlands specialises in modified atmosphere packaging for produce and provides the equipment to measure the amount of oxygen as well as the micro-perforated plastic bags suited for transporting bulk fruits and vegetables. 

 

In February, the company introduced the PerfoTec Flexfresh Liners at Fruit Logistica in Berlin. These smart plastic bags are designed to protect produce packed in crates and boxes. 

 

The company has been testing the ability of these new bulk bags on different fruits and vegetables.  Recently, it released the results on celery root, showing the difference in weight loss between a celery root in a control crate and those packed in a crate with PerfoTec liners. After 18 days, the weight of the control crate celery root dropped from 7.9kg to 5.9 kg, whilst that of celery root crates packed in PefoTec liner reduced only from 7.8 kg to 7.7 kg. And having maintained weight even after 18 days, the celery root is still suitable for sale to consumers, as compared to the control group which is not, and will then be processed for other applications.

 

The PerfoTec solution – a winner of the International FoodTec Award 2015 – was initially only applied to pre-packaged fruits and vegetables in the retail industry. Having this technology available for bulk and transport packaging greatly cuts food wastage from farm to retail.