IDRO

Types of packaging suitable for HPP

During treatment, product and packaging undergo changes; That is why the containers must have specific qualities to withstand these changes.

The importance of packaging for HPP

As we already know, the main objective of high pressure treatment is the destruction of pathogenic bacteria, causing a considerable increase in shelf life, without altering the organoleptic or nutritional characteristics.

This is achieved by subjecting the product to very high pressures, up to 6,000 bars. It is 6 times the image!

Because of this, it is not only important what can happen to the product, but the packaging plays a fundamental role for a successful treatment.

Characteristics of HPP containers

During treatment, product and packaging undergo changes; That is why the containers must have specific qualities to withstand these changes, such as:

Hermeticity: the containers must withstand such high pressure without breaking or collapsing, and they cannot have pores on their surface.
Flexibility: they must accommodate the reduction in size that occurs during the process, and then return to their original state.
Impermeability: the parameters of permeability to oxygen and water are very important for the product to endure intact until the end of its useful life, so it must be as low as possible. If water or air enters, the proliferation of undesirable microorganisms could occur sooner than expected.
Others: although they are not mandatory, the opacity and morphology of the packaging must also be taken into account in order to optimize the treatment and ensure a perfect product!

In terms of types of materials, the most suitable for high pressure processing is plastic, since it is sufficiently malleable and resistant at the same time, capable of fulfilling the characteristics that we have just mentioned.

Examples of packaging for HPP

Below, we show you some containers that can be treated with HPP with favorable results:

Bottles

This type of container is used for liquids, such as juice, gazpacho or salmorejo. A large percentage of these containers are PET. The peculiarity is this packaging is the cap, which has to leave the container perfectly sealed. With double lip stopper bottles, this is achieved perfectly.

Dips

The dips are the star product in this type of container, mostly guacamole, although we can find other types of products, salads or children’s purees. In these containers, the filling is important, since if the headspace is too large, the container could not withstand the treatment and break.

Trays

Ideal trays for the treatment of products with a certain weight and mixtures of solids and liquids such as stews with sauces or prepared dishes. The kg/cycle ratio is greatly optimized, which lowers the final price per kg of product.

Skin/vacuum

This type of container, apart from minimizing shrinkage due to minimal air intake, has an optimal appearance, as it leaves the product with maximum visibility.

 

Bibliography

  • Juliano, P., Koutchma, T., Sui, Q., Barbosa-Cánovas, G.V. & Sadler, G. (2010). Polymeric-Based Food Packaging for High-Pressure Processing. Food Engineering Reviews, 2, pp. 274-279.
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