STEPAC has conducted scientific research into the benefits of its Xtend packaging, and results have found that bananas packed in the modified atmosphere packaging are characterised by a higher content of carbohydrates and protein.
Stepac turned to Rahan Meristem, a global leader in commercial tissue culture and agrotechnology for bananas. Dr Eli Khayat, Rahan's scientific director began investigating the physiological and biochemical added values of Xtend on bananas.
The results showed there were significant benefits of packaging bananas in Xtend for retailers and consumers alike.
For the retailer, there was reduced wastage due to the banana retaining the desired yellow peel colour which many consumers look for. While for the consumer purchasing bananas packaged this way means they are sweeter and more nutritious. They are sweeter due to the higher sugar content and each fruit contains high carbohydrate and protein levels.
Xtend sales and technical director Asaf Shachnai explains consumers will find they will not have not throw out as many bananas at home due to the significant increase in shelf-life. He says: "This is an example of how the Xtend range is bringing added value to the fresh produce supply chain. We have scientifically proven that we can deliver bananas with a sweeter taste, higher nutrients and longer-shelf life. Each of these advantages translates into cost saving and increased profits.”
The company believes that the results of the study also have important commercial significance for problematic apple bananas. Shachnai adds: "This variety tends to have a combination of very fast exterior ripening and is only ready to eat when the peel is black. This means the banana can be a problem for retailers, as most customers demand a yellow peel. Xtend results in a more uniform ripening where the peel ripens in full with the pulp inside. This has opened up commercial potential for apple bananas."
Stepac and Rahan Meristem are working together in a venture searching for new non-Cavendish varieties from South and Central America that offer commercial potential. One variety showing promise and which is being investigated further is Lakatan.
In another effort to bring more added value to the fresh produce supply chain, Xtend has begun a series of products in bulk modified atmosphere bags for green to yellow bananas.
This project is being conducted with a host of major UK and US producers, importers and suppliers.
Stepac developed a special polymer for green bananas to be packed at source and to ripen in our bulk bags, without the need for opening or cutting the bags to enable ripening. The green stage of the banana is extended and the decline of the banana is slowed down. The ripening process is slower and the nutrient enriched banana has an extended shelf life of six to eight days.
AMCOR ADAPTS
The portfolio of Amcor Flexible film solutions covers a diverse range of packing formats required for the fresh produce market which strives to meet the expectations of quality, innovation and service.
Amcor supplies optimal solutions for every category of fresh produce - retail, foodservice and bulk. Solutions offered range from film on the reel for vertical, horizontal and lidding packing machines, pre-made bags for smaller applications and large carton liners for bulk storage and transport.
Over recent years the fresh produce market has seen very large changes, according to Jane Bicknell, technical applications and marketing manager. These have mirrored the changes in consumers' busy lifestyles with the increased need for convenience. She explains: "Improved graphics and overall pack presentation are more important than ever to grab the attention of the consumer. Improvements in modified atmosphere packaging have produced a longer shelf life which allows the consumer the convenience of once-a-week purchasing. Also, pack formats are becoming more important in terms of the shelf presentation in-store."
The modified atmosphere films are designed to maintain freshness and extend the shelf life of salads, vegetables and fruit and advanced technology is used to control permeability and thereby create the ideal film for every product.
The Amcor P-Plus microperforated film has it oxygen and carbon dioxide levels adjusted naturally to create an equilibrium-modified atmosphere, says food technologist Nancy Shorland. She explains: "This results in slowing down the respiration rate, thereby delaying the ageing process retaining freshness and extending shelf life. It is possible to create a wide range of oxygen-transmission rates using the same base film to ensure consistent machineability for the packer and uniform range presentation for the retailer."
Bicknell adds: These films are ideally suited for medium to high respiring products such as prepared vegetables, whole vegetables - broccoli, asparagus, potatoes and whole fruits - cherries, strawberries and raspberries."
An extension to the P-Plus range of film is the P-Plus Extra. These films are designed to have a lower level of permeability suitable for products such as prepared salads and fruits. Shorland says: "The low and controlled levels of permeability allows for optimal shelf life as they prevent the packs from going anaerobic, while controlling organoleptic and microbiological qualities. The oxygen levels can be maintained above two per cent, which allows for a fresh aroma on opening of the packs."
Amcor also offers a range of Lifespan packaging. These are carton liners for modified atmosphere packaging of bulk fresh produce. Shorland explains: "The benefit of this is that products can be packed at source and produce can be sea freighted over long distances, while remaining in peak condition. It is ideal for products such as brassicas, asparagus, parsnips, sweetcorn, cherries, nectarines and pears."
The company also produces a range of speciality films, which utilise Amcor's range of film technology. Shorland adds: "AgriFresh aims to ensure pack freshness with seal integrity and is ideal for the prepared salads lines."
D-PACK IMPROVES PRESENTATION
PREPACK systems has been established for more than 25 years, supplying machinery and consumables for the pre-packing of fresh produce. The company designs, installs and maintains complete packing lines for fruit and vegetables.
It has devised the new handled D-pack which is produced using the CB-48 machine. The D-pack is very strong, carrying up to 4kg and has a flat base, which helps the pack stand up on the shelf.
The film feed is controlled by registration marks that ensure the design printed on each film is in the same position on every pack. Product information, prices and bar codes can be printed directly onto the film, reducing the need for self-adhesive labels.
The CB-48 bagging machine is a new concept in net packaging. This system uses continuous reels of tubular net, which eliminate tube and funnels, saving material and reducing production downtime. The versatility of the machine allows the user to produce D-packs of various shapes and sizes depending on the product to be packed.
The D-pack is produced from standard materials and offers more than two hours of continuous production - depending on pack size and weight.
LEADING EDGE DRIVES PROMOTIONS
LABELS and packaging specialist Leading Edge has extensive experience of the fresh produce industry and retail environment. The company aims to approach the industry from a range of perspectives to provide cost-effective and innovative solutions.
it company works with retailers on a day-to-day basis and has detailed knowledge of the retail environment and the constraints that suppliers face. By also working closely with packers and growers, joint managing director Ian Barwick says his company understands their business needs to provide innovative label and packaging solutions. "With such in-depth knowledge of fresh produce and the retailers, we understand the challenges and issues which are faced and thus are able to provide better solutions to our clients," he says.
Increasingly Leading Edge is being approached by packers to assist with marketing or promotional requirements. The company recognises the importance of knowing consumers, and what they want in relation to promotional activity. Barwick says: "Through our promotional print division, we are able to offer label-based promotions to packers and growers which can add value and enhance their products, but most importantly drive sales.
To coincide with the DVD release of Love Actually we created promotional activity to go on a selection of floral products for World Flowers, Lingarden and Winchester to feature in Sainsbury's stores.
"The instant-win promotion went into stores in March offering consumers the opportunity to win a romantic weekend away or runners-up prizes of pampering packs. The promotion was an ideal way of adding value to products as well as creating in-store theatre to store."
This activity followed Leading Edge's successful instant-win label to support the release of the film Down With Love, which featured across flowers in Sainsbury's. This promotion increased sales of floral products by 30 per cent.
The company has also announced that in June it will install a new press at the East Mill site. This press represents an investment of over £1 million Barwick says: "This will allow us to offer an even broader range of products to meet customer requirements. The bespoke press will be sited in new factory premises and will further develop the products we offer to include our punnet print and also expand offering for printed sleeves."
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