Modified Atmosphere Gases and Mixtures
Dry Foods & Snacks
Perfect Balance for Dry Foods & Snacks
Even small amounts of oxygen in dry food or snack packaging can compromise quality and render the product unsellable. The oxygen concentration generally has a major impact on the shelf life of these foodstuffs. A modified atmosphere can, however, inhibit this oxidation process. This involves replacing oxygen in the package with nitrogen, carbon dioxide or a mixture of the two. Packages containing particularly sensitive dry foodstuffs, such as powdered milk for babies, should have oxygen levels of less than 0.2%.
Moisture also has a big impact on the appeal of dried snacks. Consumers expect their snacks to be crispy, which means the packaging must provide a barrier against water vapor. In the case of dried soups and instant drinks, water vapor is similarly problematic as it causes powders to clump and look unappetizing. This challenge can be overcome with a modified atmosphere packaging that includes a moisture barrier.
With MAPAX, we have created a range of modified atmospheres tailored to different dry and dehydrated foodstuffs aimed specifically at inhibiting spoilage and rancidity.
Our MAPAX modified atmospheres for dry foods can help you to:
- Increase sales by satisfying growing demand for fresh and naturally preserved products
- Extend shelf life without chemicals or freezing
- Increase shelf life in the distribution chain by days or even weeks
- Retain taste, texture and appearance
- Enhance production and distribution efficiency
MAPAX for Dry Foods & Snacks
We have developed MAPAX solutions for all sorts of dry, dehydrated and snack foods, including tea, coffee, powdered products, nuts, crisps or potato chips and fruit. Particularly in the case of sensitive products such as dried fruit and snacks, the MAPAX gas cushion forms a protective shield around the product, making sure it reaches the consumer crisp and fresh. In the case of products such as coffee, where aroma plays such an important role in the perception and experience of the consumer, an impermeable modified atmosphere can help lock in flavor and aroma. By optimizing properties such as permeability, gas barrier and mechanical strength, MAPAX can extend the shelf life of dry foods and snacks by valuable weeks and months. In some cases, it can add as much as 40 weeks to the typical shelf life.