Afrox has reported a 15% growth in its Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) business over the previous quarter. This indicates an increasing recognition within the South African food sector that this technology can add real value in terms of reducing spoilage and increasing shelf life — especially for smaller industries and outlets, says Afrox speciality gases’ manager, Robert Carlton-Shields.

All food is susceptible to deterioration, gradual loss of flavour, loss of colour and microbial spoilage. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) can protect the food from these effects, decelerate deterioration and extend shelf life dramatically. MAP packaging is easy and economical, without the need for vacuum packaging. An added advantage is that no artificial preservatives or freezing is required.

To understand how this works, one has to know what causes the food to deteriorate, and how these effects can be counteracted. Food spoilage is usually the result of bacterial action, oxidation, enzyme action, mould growth or the accumulation of metabolic by-products. MAP employs the properties of specific gases to slow down these processes. Different mechanisms are prominent in the various food groups, and the gases or gas mixtures are selected to specifically target these decay mechanisms.

To keep biltong as fresh as the day it was packed, the MAP gas to use is FoodFresh™ 4, which is a mixture of carbon dioxide and nitrogen. The carbon dioxide reduces the effect of microbial growth and nitrogen is the inert balance gas that prevents oxidation. For red meat, some oxygen is also added to retain the desired red colour. Oxygen at low levels in poultry and fish packaging prevents the growth of anaerobic bacteria.

MAP not only preserves the appearance of packaged food, it is also economical. It keeps food fresher for longer, with juices and nutritional value sealed in. Cost saving is achieved as a result of longer production runs and fewer deliveries.

Fresh food is the preferred choice for most health and quality conscious individuals, and it is easy to see why MAP has a major role to play. It must be used in conjunction with the highest standards of hygiene and temperature control throughout the production, delivery and storage processes.

A range of MAP gases and gas mixtures, FoodFreshTM, is available for the following food categories: meat, poultry, fish, diary products, confectionary products, dried products and snack foods, fresh fruit and vegetables, and cooked-chilled meals.

The overall quality of FoodFresh™ gases is achieved by carefully controlling both the preparation and filling procedures of each FoodFresh™ cylinder.

• FoodFresh™ gases are supplied on dedicated high capacity, high pressure steel cylinders providing longer cylinder life and fewer cylinder changeovers.
  
• The cylinders are fitted with softseat handwheel valves to facilitate easy opening and closing.
  
• The quality of FoodFresh™ gases is rigorously monitored to known standards in an ISO 9001 facility.
  
• The distinctive FoodFresh™ cylinders and certificate of compliance complement the high quality of the gas content, ensuring that the FoodFresh™ cylinders are dedicated to the food industry.

To enquire about the right FoodFresh™ for MAP packaging of your products, please contact your Afrox branch, or the Customer Service Centre on 0860 02 02 02 (ask for Special Products).