Modified atmosphere packaging for stone fruits

Xtend? modified atmosphere packaging for stone fruits, by Stepac,?reduces weight loss, preserves firmness, inhibits microbial decay and mitigates chilling injury symptoms. As such, the added value is embedded in its ability to enable customers to store for longer and supply upon demand or ship to distant markets, confident that the product will arrive in prime condition. The packaging is particularly popular amongst exporters in Spain, South Africa and Turkey, who are finding value in Xtend for shipments of their fruits to distant destinations. As part of their service to customers, Jonson Matthey?s highly qualified and experienced postharvest technical support personnel conduct regular inspections of produce upon arrival at its destination in order to ensure that the packaging performs as it is designed to. This is facilitated by the presence of representatives in over 23 countries worldwide. Figure 1 shows pictures of nectarines and peaches packed in Xtend packaging, arriving in Brazil from Spain in excellent condition. Likewise, Figure 2 shows South African plums arriving in the UK in prime condition. This service also enables them to carefully check other factors that impact packaging performance, such as temperature-time profile and vent settings and to make sure that they meet requirements. A report is typically prepared and sent to the customer, highlighting the findings of the inspection and indicating what changes, if any are required to further optimize packaging performance. Depending on variety, initial fruit quality and postharvest conditions, Xtend packaging can enable storage and shipment of stone fruits, often in excess of 30 days at 0?C after which they will ripen normally on exposure to higher temperatures. Engineered to create produce specific, optimal freshness extension conditions for cherries, apricots, peaches, plums and nectarines, Xtend is not only available as bulk packaging, evident in fig 1 and 2, but also Xgo: retail packaging for ?grab-n-go? convenience, including standing pouch formats (fig 3).