Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
35
RPC
CCF
RSC
FTD
30
25
20
15
10
0
120
240
360
480
600
720
840
960
Time (minutes)
Figure 7.2.
Cooling rates of pineapples (cv. Phuket) in various shipping containers stored at 12
◦
C(RPC
=
reusable plastic container; CCF
=
corrugated common footprint tray; RSC
=
regular slotted container; FTD
=
full telescope design style container). Container dimensions are 400
×
300 mm. RSC and FTD containers have
four holes (ø 25 mm) on each side of the length panels.
common footprints have been developed by the Fiberboard
Box Association (FBA) and the European Federation of
Corrugated Board Manufacturers (FEFCO). The systems
require standardized dimensions and stacking features to al-
low containers in varying designs and features from various
manufacturers, which conform to common footprint con-
figurations securely stacked on the European pallet (120
stores or in shipping containers either in RPCs or corru-
gated common footprint systems as previously described.
Plastic packaging, such as plastic bags or plastic trays with
heat-sealed film lids, is commonly used to protect the fruits
from contamination, and extend the shelf life of fresh fruits
and fresh-cut fruits. Proper matching of a film's permeabil-
ity with a fruit's respiration could create properly modified
atmospheric conditions in maintaining quality of the fresh
and fresh-cut fruits.
Ideally, the selection of packaging should consider the
characteristics of fresh fruits, including both physical and
physiological characteristics. Packaging, in one way or
another, performs a function as a marketing tool. How-
ever, for fresh fruits, packaging plays this role to a lesser
extent compared to processed fruits, as fresh fruits pri-
marily present themselves. Therefore, packaging for fresh
fruits, either display-ready shipping containers or retail
packaging, should clearly display or enhance the presen-
tation of the packed fruits. In addition, the branding pre-
sented on the packages helps promote the reliability of
the products.
Information about fresh fruits is increasingly required by
consumers such as types and manufacturers as well as nu-
trition facts. This information about fresh fruits is generally
conveyed through packaging by labeling or printing on the
retail packaging. Tracking and tracing using RFID or other
×
100 cm) and the Grocery Manufacturers' Association
(GMA) pallet (48
40 in) commonly used in North
America. Configurations of full-size and half-size common
footprint containers are 60
×
30 cm,
respectively. RPC also conforms to the corrugated com-
mon footprint system. The open-tray design of corrugated
common footprints has overcome the cooling drawback of
corrugated containers as compared to RPCs. However, the
systems are not commonly being used in many countries
in tropical and subtropical regions. Figure 7.3 shows
mangoes packed in various package designs versus new
Michigan State University standardized package design
(Singh and Saha, 2010).
There are a wide variety of forms and materials used for
retail packaging of fruits; the most common types are plas-
tic bags, plastic trays with overwrapped film or heat-sealed
film or clamshell trays, and plastic net bags. Retail packag-
ing is developed in response to consumer's requirements.
Fruits may be displayed in plastic containers of the retail
×
40 cm and 40
×
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