Alarmingly, one-third of the world's food production is lost or wasted annually, contributing to significant economic, environmental, and social consequences. This staggering amount of food waste not only squanders valuable resources but also exacerbates global hunger and environmental degradation. Extending the shelf life of food products through effective packaging solutions is a crucial step toward mitigating this pressing issue.
The Importance of Extended Shelf Life
Prolonging the shelf life of food products is paramount in reducing waste and ensuring food security. By extending the time a product remains fresh and safe for consumption, we can minimize spoilage and waste throughout the supply chain.
Methods to Increase Shelf Life
Extending the shelf life of food products can be achieved through a combination of effective packaging solutions and post-packaging processes. High-barrier packaging materials that provide superior protection against oxygen, moisture, and other external factors play a crucial role in preventing spoilage and preserving freshness.
Additionally, post-packaging techniques such as pasteurization, retort processing, high-pressure processing (HPP), and other sterilization methods can further enhance shelf life by eliminating harmful microorganisms and ensuring product safety. By employing these advanced methods, food manufacturers can significantly prolong the shelf life of their products, reducing waste and contributing to a more sustainable food system.
MCP's High Barrier Packaging Solution
At MCP, we specialize in thermoforming multilayer polypropylene (PP) sheets that incorporate an EVOH (Ethylene Vinyl Alcohol) barrier layer. This material provides high barrier properties against oxygen and moisture, prolonging the freshness and shelf life of packaged products. Notably, MCP's trays maintain recyclability, as the EVOH content is kept below 5%.
Post-Packaging Processes: Durability Meets Versatility
MCP's high-barrier trays are designed to withstand various post-packaging processes, ensuring the utmost product protection and shelf life extension:
- Pasteurization: Our trays can endure the high temperatures involved in pasteurization processes, safeguarding the product's integrity and extending its shelf life.
- Retort Processing: MCP's trays demonstrate exceptional durability, making them suitable for retort processing, a thermal sterilization method that achieves commercial sterility and significantly extends shelf life.
- High-Pressure Processing (HPP): Our trays are compatible with HPP, a non-thermal preservation technique that uses high-pressure to inactivate microorganisms, ensuring product safety and prolonging shelf life without compromising quality or nutritional value.
By leveraging MCP's high-barrier packaging solutions and post-packaging processes, food manufacturers can significantly reduce product waste, enhance food security, and contribute to a more sustainable future.