COP's for MAP Packing of Vegetables

As a factory we are starting to delve into Gas flushing RTE vegetables. Has anyone got any COP's for this. We are not going over the the 10 days legislation as recommended, we are not a retail supplier the customer our product goes into is another manufacturer.

I am querying whether we need a gas analyser, and the reasons behind it if we do. We are buying premixed gas, so we will not need to measure the mix that we are placing in the bags,

Any guidance would be greatly appreciated

We use liquid nitrogen in one of our processes, and were required by the customer to prove the quality of our nitrogen. Had to get information from the supplier on how it was produced, how it's transported, how it's filled in our on-site tank, etc. I don't know if that sort of documentation would be sufficient on your project. Heck, we had to prove to our customer that the supplier's transfer fittings are only used for liquid nitrogen, which physically eliminates the possibility of them accidentally filling our tank with something that isn't nitrogen (eliminated contamination risk).

From that background, and as an outsider looking in, here's my thought on the matter: Without a gas analyzer, how can you prove the gas you introduce meets specifications? Can you get a COA or something similar from your supplier, a statement of guarantee that the gas meets the criteria? My .02

Dear lisacara,

Topic of book size scope.

Can't help much on gas analyser query (not my area) but some general MAP info. below.

This attachment not solely for vegetables but quite detailed on methodology -

Linde - MAPAX brochure17_4683.pdf   3.9MB   13 downloads

Rgds / Charles.C

PS - this one limited on MAP but specifically for fruits/vegetables -
processing fresh cut tropical fruits and vegetables FAO 2010 - i1909e00.pdf   966.7KB   9 downloads

PPS - I recall there is at least one thread here on selection of gas mixtures for MAP procedures. maybe try a little searching (cannot search for "MAP" due need >=4 letters, maybe try "flush".)