Fresh Vegetables and Fruits Packaging Requirements
Packaging fresh fruits and vegetables are a vital part of the long and complex journey from producer to buyer. Bags, boxes, baskets, hampers, containers, bulk containers, and packaged boxes make it simpler to handle, ship, and market-freshfruit. Over 1,500 different produce containers are useful in the US. The number increases as the industry develops new vegetable and fruit packing machinery.Despite the industry’s perception that containers standardization is a cost-cutting strategy, the trend in the latest decades has been heading a wider variety of package sizes to contain the requirements of purchasers, wholesalers, foodservice clients, and processing firms.
The Purpose of Packaging equipment
Containerfailure due to poor design or incorrect selection and usage can be related to aconsiderable percentage of product purchasers and customer complaints. A well-designed produce packaging should enclose, protect, and label the producer to the customer. Check out the following fruit and vegetable packaging equipment points:
1. Recyclability/Biodegradability.
Many of thebiggest customers of fresh food also care the most about the environment. Packaging materials are subject to waste disposal regulations in an increasing number of American markets and so many export markets. Nearly all produce wrapping will be recyclable, biodegradable, or both soon.
2. Variety.
Customers will be drawn to you if you are appealing to them. Top-quality graphics are being used to increase sales appeal. Distinctive font, Multi-color printing, and distinct logos are becoming commonplace. Bulk packaging is growing more popular among processors and wholesalers, while small containers are becoming popular among users—packaging for fruits and vegetables is currently available in over 1,500 different sizes and forms.
3. Containment
The fruit must be encased in a container that can be readily handled and delivered. The veggies should be crammed inside the container to ensure there is no place for waste. A variety of container shapes and sizes can be used to pack spherical or oval product items such as onions, apples, and potatoes at a low cost. Many agricultural items may require specialized containers, such as asparagus, soft fruits, and berries. The maximum number of veggies handled by hand per package is typically limited to 60 pounds. Bulk commodities ranging over 700 pounds may be transported using forklifts.
4. Protection
The fruit and vegetable packaging equipment must safeguard the products from mechanical exploitation and adverse environmental circumstances during regulation and transport. To produce purchasers, ripped, damaged, ordistorted produce packaging frequently signal that the contents were handled carelessly. Containers for products must be durable enough to withstand damage during packaging, and shipping to market.
Final thoughts
Product containers must have adequate loading strength to prevent crushing in a lower temperature, high moisture environment because practically all product packages are palletized. Even though the cost of packaging materials has risen dramatically in recent decadess, packers and buyers no longer accept low-quality. These lightweight packages are quickly destroyed by handling or moisture.