QUALITY CONTROL IMPERATIVES IN MAP PROCESS

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QUALITY CONTROL IMPERATIVES IN MAP PROCESS
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INTRO
The hygiene and safety considerations while
packaging of ready-to-eat foods is of paramount
importance. Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)
is a means of ensuring that the safety and
hygiene of ready to eat food is preserved during
transit and distribution. The importance of
maintaining food safety throughout the supply
chain, including during packaging and
distribution is evident. Packaging ready to eat
foods helps extend their shelf life and protects
them from contamination, vermin attacks,
pilferage, rancidity, and many other forms of
spoilage and taste loss. Packaging of ready to
eat foods also paves the way for protection of
the packaged food during transportation. It is an
excellent means of communicating to the customer
the goodness of the packaged ready to eat food
inside by printing the product information on the
outer cover. MAP also provides consumers with
valuable information, such as nutritional
information, origin, and safe handling
instructions.
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SAFETY IMPERATIVES
The role of MAP in reducing the risk of food
borne illness and extending the shelf life of
ready-to-eat foods is well known across the
world. The need to follow food safety regulations
and guidelines when using MAP, including labeling
requirements and the use of approved packaging
materials is an imperative. The potential for
MAP technology to impact the sensory qualities of
ready-to-eat foods, including taste, texture, and
appearance, is bespoke. There is a dire need to
carefully control the packaging process to
preserve these qualities of the packaged food.
With MAP technology there is also a reduced need
for adding preservatives to the ready to eat food.
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SAFETY IMPERATIVES
LEAK TESTING
TESTS
Leak testing prevents needless returns, loss of
prestige, legal consequences and worst case, loss
of business. To optimise quality assurance, the
user can choose between solutions for sample or
in-line testing based on CO2 or a water bubble
test. Package leak detection systems reliably
detect even the smallest leak and are easy to
operate. Furthermore, all tests can be digitally
logged and documented for customers.
After packaging, the packages must be tested for
the correct gas mixture and for leaks. Only with
this level of rigour can it be ensured that the
full benefit of MAP is achieved, and that the
customer receives a top-quality product. The
importance of maintaining the cleanliness and
sanitation of MAP packaging equipment to prevent
contamination of the packaged food cannot be
undermined. The potential for MAP packaging to
cause food waste if not properly handled and
stored, and the need to consider this in the
packaging process should not be neglected.
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SAFETY IMPERATIVES
SYSTEM MAINTENANCE
CONSUMER EDUCATION
The role of consumer education in promoting the
safe handling and storage of MAP ready-to-eat
foods is a must. The consumer needs to be
informed of the ingredients that the ready to eat
food contains, nutrition facts, expiry date, to
make a buying decision. All this information must
be printed on the label. The label should also
carry information on the possibility of causing
allergies by eating the packaged product.
Right from the point of mixing the gasses and
introducing them into the package, maximum care
is required. A faulty mixture or a leaking packet
can have serious effects. It can cause loss of
nutrients, taste, colour or structure to a bad
smell or infestation with microorganisms. Health
risks to the consumer can be eliminated by
testing the MAP product. MAP therefore requires
modern high-quality equipment and uncompromising
standards of hygiene. So comprehensive quality
assurance activities are essential. These can
begin during the packaging process, using inline
gas analysis, which constantly monitors the
composition of the modified atmosphere.
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SAFETY IMPERATIVES
GAS MONITORING
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NICHROME MAP SOLUTIONS

• If you are looking for a thali packing machine,
  tray sealing machine, container sealing machine,
  nitrogen packing machine, or a food tray sealing
  machine with MAP technology a.k.a controlled
  atmosphere packaging for your fresh food
  Nichrome is the ideal choice. Nichrome India is
  the final word in packaging machines, automatic
  filling machine manufacturers, filling and
  sealing machine manufacturers and providers of
  integrated packaging solutions.

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