The 2012 ASHS Annual Conference

Although modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) in combination with refrigeration can delay the deterioration of fruits and vegetables and their associated health risk, it is not always sufficient for maintaining produce quality and safety for the desirable marketing period. We will present new packaging approaches that have an impact on in-package gas compositions and therefore, on the quality and safety of produce. These new approaches include: a) the use of bio-based resins instead of petroleum-based ones; b) the impact of antimicrobial interventions on in-package gas composition and the interactions between these; and c) active packaging. Several examples of the effect of each of these new packaging trends on the resulting quality and safety of produce will be given for whole and fresh-cut produce.