Testing Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce

Packaging plays a crucial role in maintaining the freshness and quality of fruits and vegetables. To ensure optimal performance, rigorous testing is essential to assess the suitability of packaging materials. By understanding the key qualities required and the specific tests involved, manufacturers can select the most appropriate materials to extend shelf life and reduce food waste.

Key Qualities of Ideal Packaging Materials

• Moisture Barrier: Prevents water loss, which can lead to dehydration and wilting.
• Gas Permeability: Allows for controlled gas exchange, preventing the buildup of ethylene gas (a ripening agent) and other harmful gases.
• Mechanical Protection: Protects the produce from physical damage during transportation and handling.
• Food Safety: Non-toxic, food-grade, and hygienic to ensure the safety of the produce.
• Sustainability: Recyclable or biodegradable to minimize environmental impact.

Essential Testing Procedures

To evaluate the suitability of packaging materials, a comprehensive range of tests is necessary:

Mechanical Properties:

• Tensile Strength: Measures the material's resistance to breaking under tension.
• Tear Strength: Evaluates the material's resistance to tearing.
• Puncture Resistance: Assesses the material's ability to withstand punctures.

Labthink C610M Auto Tensile Tester is a versatile tester applicable to testing tensile strength, peeling force, deformation, tearing, puncture force, pulling force and many other physical properties of various materials.

Barrier Properties:

• Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR): Measures the rate at which water vapor passes through the material.
• Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR): Measures the rate at which oxygen passes through the material.
• Carbon Dioxide Transmission Rate (CO2TR): Measures the rate at which carbon dioxide passes through the material.

Labthink C406H Oxygen and Water Vapor Transmission Rate Test System is based on the testing principle of Coulometric oxygen sensor and infrared water vapor sensor. It is designed and manufactured according to ASTM D3985、ASTM F1249，ISO 15106-2 and other relevant standards to provide high precision and high efficiency oxygen and water vapor transmission rate tests for high and medium gas barrier materials. It is suitable for testing the oxygen and water vapor transmission performance of films, sheets and related materials in the fields of food, medicine, medical devices, daily chemicals, photovoltaic, electronic and many others.

 

Other Properties:

Microbial Barrier: Evaluates the material's resistance to microbial growth.

Chemical Compatibility: Determines the material's compatibility with the food product and any other substances it may come into contact with.


C830H Migration & Non-volatile-matter Content Tester tests the potential migration from food contact packaging materials

By conducting these tests and considering the specific requirements of different fruits and vegetables, manufacturers can select the most suitable packaging materials to ensure optimal freshness, reduce food waste, and meet consumer expectations.