Recent nationwide recalls of spinach due to E. coli contamination and peanut butter due to Salmonella, make the emerging development of "active" and "intelligent" packaging crucial for consumer safety and quality assurance. Now that it is possible to make packaging that can detect and inform consumers of contamination, as well as prevent or reduce

This new volume provides a comprehensive overview of the new and diverse technologies in food packaging of fruits and vegetables, providing an emphasis on new commercially available packaging technologies for fresh produce. The book first looks at important biopolymeric films for fresh produce packaging along with a historical overview, followed by coverage of the mechanical, physical, and permeability properties and recent developments in investigative techniques of biopolymers as well as their applications in modified atmosphere packaging used in fresh produce packaging. The volume then discusses the detailed application of natural/organic active agents, including oxygen scavengers, ethylene scavengers, antioxidants, antimicrobial agents, etc., for the fabrication of active packaging for maintaining the quality of fresh produce during storage and transportation. Chapters cover active (antimicrobial, antioxidant) edible films and coatings used to preserve the quality of fresh produce. Protective packaging, package designing aspects, and safety and security packaging for agricultural produce in the supply chain are also explored. Also considered are intelligent packaging technologies that monitor the condition of packaged food using data carriers, indicators, and sensors. Novel Packaging Systems for Fruits and Vegetables provides a thorough presentation of the most important and innovative technologies for the packaging and safety of fruits and vegetables. This volume will be valuable for advanced students as well as for faculty, researchers, and industry professionals in food science and engineering, packaging technology, and postharvest technology.

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

Developments in Food Quality and Safety Series" is the most up-to-date resource covering trend topics such as Advances in the analysis of toxic compounds and control of food poisoning; Food fraud, traceability and authenticity; Revalorization of agrifood industry; Natural antimicrobial compounds and application to improve the preservation of food; Non-thermal processing technologies in the food industry; Nanotechnology in food production; and Intelligent packaging and sensors for food applications.Volume 6, "Intelligent Packaging: Current technologies and applications", covers intelligent packaging by discussing the aspects of emerging technologies and strategies to obtain such packaging relevant to the development of traceable food products. Topics such as indicators, sensors, tracing devices, and intelligent packaging used in various food products, such as dairy, meat, fruits and vegetables are also explored. The series is edited by Dr. José Manuel Lorenzo and authored by a team of global experts in the fields of Food Quality and Safety, providing comprehensive knowledge to food industry personals and scientists. - Provides fundamentals and the latest developments for emerging technologies in food packaging - Covers the main novel and modern intelligent and sensors technologies and strategies to obtain intelligent packaging - Explores utilization, optimization, and the development of technologies per se on the developments of intelligent packaging

Many factors are relevant in making the proper choice of food packaging material, including those related to shelf life and biodegradability. To meet these demands, new processing and preservation techniques have arisen, most notably modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and active packaging (AP). Modified Atmosphere and Active Packaging Technologies

Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables provides comprehensive coverage of all aspects of modern MAP technologies for fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Coverage begins with the general MAP concept and application by introducing the concept of MAP, how MAP works for fresh-cut produce and the benefits and shortfalls of MAP in its application. The book then discusses the basic aspects of MAP – packaging materials and machinery. In these sections, the book addresses not only the general information about MAP materials, but also supplies examples to introduce the new packaging films and their successful application in produce and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables. Unique chapters and sections in the book include relevant patents for MAP, commercial practices and MAP packaging machinery. Generally, packaging machinery is only included in books specifically covering packaging engineering. Coverage of this important aspect is included in the book since fresh-cut manufacturers spend much more time in the day-to-day operations on packaging machinery and systems as compared to packaging film materials. In the final section, Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Fresh-cut Fruits and Vegetables highlights the latest developments in the packaging industry and how they could impact the fresh-cut industry.

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.

Understand the future of food packaging with this timely guide Food packaging is a vital part of the food industry. It contributes to food safety and quality throughout the supply chain, reduced product loss, allows high-quality goods to be shipped safely to underserved regions, and more. Smart food packaging systems, which can sense or detect changes in the product or packaging, are at the forefront of this field, and show potentially revolutionary promise. Smart Food Packaging Systems offer a comprehensive overview of the fundamental principles and practical applications of Active food packaging and Intelligent food packaging systems. The book incorporates the latest research developments and technologies in active and intelligent packaging systems that supplement food supply lines worldwide. It is a must-own for researchers and industry professionals looking to understand this key new tool in the fight against world hunger. Smart Food Packaging Systems readers will also find: Case studies on life cycle assessments of specific smart packaging systems Detailed discussion of topics including additives, antimicrobial and other functional agents, and biopolymers in active food packaging Use of sensors and indicators to monitor quality, temperature, and freshness of the packaged food Smart Food Packaging Systems is ideal for professionals, researchers, and academics in food science, food technology, and food packaging, as well as manufacturers, developers, government officials, and regulators working on supply chain and food distribution aspects.

This book presents a selection of innovative postharvest management practices for vegetables. It covers technologies in harvesting, handling, and storage of vegetables, including strategies for low-temperature storage of vegetables, active and smart packaging of vegetables, edible coatings, application of nanotechnology in postharvest technology of vegetable crops, and more. It considers most of the important areas of vegetable processing while maintaining nutritional quality and addressing safety issues. Fruits and vegetables are important sources of nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, which provide many health benefits. However, due to poor postharvest management—such as non-availability of cold chain management and low-cost processing facilities, large quantities of vegetables perish before they reach the consumer. Furthermore, higher temperatures in some regions also contribute to an increased level of postharvest losses. With chapters written by experts in the postharvest handling of vegetable, this volume addresses these challenges. It is devoted to presenting both new and innovative technologies as well as advancements in traditional technologies.