Modified atmosphere packaging

What is vacuum or a gas flush packaging ?
A full vacuum is still today the most efficient way to package food when possible. By eliminating the air inside the package, you reduce bacterial growth and moisture. In the case of frozen food, you prevent frost bite and extend significantly the shelf life of the product.

In all cases you preserve humidity, freshness and flavor of your food. However, whether you gas flush or use a full vacuum, you must choose the proper packaging material and take in consideration a few important factors.

• The type of product you will be packaging, form or shape.
• The storage conditions.
• The required shelf life.
• Which thickness of pouch will be required.
• How will the product be handled or shipped
• The kind of equipment that will be used.
• If the product will be packaged fresh or frozen.

Call us, we can help you establish your real needs.

The advantages of vacuum packaging or Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP)

• Extend the shelf life of your food.
• Reduce loss of humidity.
• Prevent frost bite.
• Prevent color change due to oxidation.
• Prevent bacterial growth or moisture.

Available packaging equipment

The vacuum chamber

The most commonly used and the less expensive. Food is inserted in a pouch then put in the vacuum chamber. When closing the cover the equipment will remove the air inside the cover and inside the pouch.

N.B. For a good vacuum you should have less than .5 % of oxygen residual inside your package. A full vacuum is your first choice. If a full vacuum is not possible (example : for sandwich, pizza or shredded cheese) you can make a gas flush inside your pouch. The equipment will remove the air inside the pouch and replace it with another gas such as CO2, nitrogen or oxygen leaving the inside of the package in a clean environment to prevent bacterial growth. Different gas mixture are available depending on the product to be packaged. N.B. Gas flush require a special pouch with additionnal barrier - Saran or EVOH - to keep the gas inside of the pouch for all the shelf life needed.