Apio expands BreatheWay packaging technology

Apio is continuing to expand commercial applications of its BreatheWay membrane technology. BreatheWay is a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) technology that extends shelf life of fresh fruits and vegetables and reduces dehydration, according to Apio.

“What we are providing is a very precise and very controlled amount of oxygen & carbon dioxide, thereby increasing the shelf life of the product,” Shehbaz Singh, principal scientist at Apio, said

The key to BreatheWay is the temperature switch in the packaging’s membrane, Singh said.

“There is certainly a temperature excursion existing in the current supply chain, where temperatures aren’t always maintained the way they’re supposed to be,” Singh said.

When temperature goes up, the respiration rate of the produce in the bag goes up.

“In that case, the bag is not able to handle the increased rate; therefore, oxygen goes up very quickly — which can lead to bad odors and flavors,” Singh said.

BreatheWay takes MAP technology further by targeting levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in packaging and allowing the membrane to keep adjusting levels as need, Singh said.

“When you look at apples, apples are very sensitive to high levels of oxygen,” Singh said. “We’ve got membrane that can deliver 2 percent oxygen, 9 percent carbon dioxide. What we’ve done is design our membrane in such a way that we have different permeability.”

All products with BreatheWay membrane packaging have 17 days of shelf life, Singh said.

Apio’s EatSmart brand is the largest user of the technology and has been using it for almost 15 years, Singh said. Chiquita has also used the technology for 10 years. Apio has most recently been working with Juicero, which makes countertop cold-press juicing systems. BreatheWay membrane technology is being used in Juicero’s produce pouches.

“We are going out and exploring other companies that can benefit from our technology, as long as they don’t compete with our products in the North American market,” Singh said about expanding BreatheWay’s commercial applications. “Internationally we can work with fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, no problem.”

Apio is actively looking at application opportunities in the European, South American and Asian markets.

“This is going to be a game changer because MAP technology is not new,” Singh said. “The MAP technology that exits right now, it’s basically a bag with micro perforation or laser holes in it. Is that the best packaging for that product?

“Before MAP there wasn’t any packaging for produce, anyway. What we’re seeing now is all those companies who were historically using bags with micro perforation holes are going beyond what was available as far as MAP is concerned.”

Singh said BreatheWay’s membrane packaging can be used for all sorts of fresh produce. Apio has been looking at commercializing applications for pomegranates, blueberries and strawberries.

“As long as the fruit is concerned, we’ve been open to anything,” Singh said.

The technology has yet to be applied to processed foods.

“So far we’ve only tried our technology in the fresh produce arena, whether its fresh-cut fruits or vegetables,” Singh said. “We don’t know if this can be applied to other products or not, but there certainly is a chance. We are definitely open to those talks.”

— Ana Olvera, digital content editor