This book provides technical explanations of the materials, structure and design of containers, packages and coatings used to protect, ship and sell fruits and vegetables throughout the entire supply chain. Based on extensive research, as well as input from growers, graders, packers, shippers and retailers, the book offers detailed information about applying and designing packaging for post-harvest treatment, cold chain storage, shipping containment and merchandising. These include methods for calculating materials and costs, as well as discussions of modified atmosphere packaging, edible coatings and other advanced approaches. Packaging & Distribution of Fresh Fruits & Vegetables clarifies how fruits and vegetables must be packaged at each stage of post-harvest processing to ensure an appealing product with requisite shelf-life. The authors demonstrate the critical relation between fruit and vegetable quality control and packaging. More importantly, they explain the chemistry and materials technology needed to create packaging that can offset microbial contamination and reduce bruising, spoilage and waste in a wide range of produce. The book includes dozens of case studies and addresses international variations in packaging strategies and regulations.

This volume addresses the challenges of the short shelf life of fruits and vegetables. Innovative packaging technologies are the most promising strategies for overcoming these limitations. This book provides a host of sustainable packaging solutions that deliver protection, branding, consumer attractiveness, and speed to market in a competitive retail environment. Key features of the book: • Provides an informative overview of fruit and vegetable requirements and available packaging materials and systems • Provides an understanding of the fundamentals of the impact of packaging on the quality and safety of fruits and vegetables • Covers the fundamental aspects of packaging requirements, including mathematical modeling and mechanical and engineering properties of packaging materials • Presents an in-depth discussion of innovative packaging technologies, such as MA/CA packaging, active packaging, intelligent packaging, and eco-friendly materials applied to fruit and vegetables • Looks at packaging design for better environmental and economic performance

This new volume shares a plethora of valuable information on the recent advances in packaging and storage technologies used for quality preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables. This book, with chapters from eminent researchers in the field, covers several essential aspects of packaging and storage methods and techniques generally used in fruit and vegetables. Important considerations on selection and characteristics of packaging materials, new packaging methods, storage hygiene and sanitation issues along with recent trends in storage technology are discussed in this volume. Key features: Provides an inclusive overview of fruit and vegetable requirements and available packaging materials and storage systems Imparts an understanding of the fundamentals of the impact of packaging on the evolution of quality and safety of fruits and vegetables Includes examples of mathematical modeling and mechanical and engineering properties of packaging materials Provides an in-depth discussion of innovative packaging and storage technologies, such as MA/CA packaging, active packaging, intelligent packaging, eco-friendly materials, etc., applied to fruit and vegetables Packaging and Storage of Fruits and Vegetables: Emerging Trends will be useful for graduate and postgraduate students and teaching professionals of horticultural science, food science and technology, packaging technology etc. It will also provide valuable scientific information to the academic scientific research community as well as to the packaging and storage industries for preservation of quality characteristics of fruits and vegetables. The professional community involved in handling processing and commercialization of horticultural crops will benefit as well.

The objective of this book is to introduce, organize, and document the scientific, technical and practical aspects involved with the man ufacture, storage, distribution and marketing of minimally pro cessed refrigerated (MPR) fruits and vegetables. The overall func tion of these foods is to provide a convenient, like-fresh product for food service and retail consumers. A high level of quality accom panied by superior safety are essential requisites of MPR fruits and vegetables. Since refrigeration or chilling is essential to the quality and safety of these food products, "refrigeration" is included in the title of this book, i.e. MPRefrigerated fruits and vegetables. This swiftly emerging area of processing requires organization and unification of thinking concerning fruit and vegetable food products which are not considered commercially sterile from a classical stand point. Fruits and vegetables require very special attention because of the multitude of enzymic and respiratory factors as well as mi crobiological concerns which impact on the safety of low acid and acidified vegetables and on the economic viability of high acid fruit products of all kinds.