StePac’s standing pouches have technology to slow fresh produce aging
Fresh produce packaging innovator StePac Ltd. is gaining growing interest in the retail sector for its functional standing pouches. The resealable bags are crafted with the company’s proprietary Xgo advanced modified atmosphere/modified humidity (MA/MH) technology.
They’re designed to significantly lengthen the shelf life of fresh produce and reduce waste in the supply chain.
Divine Flavor, a San Diego-based, grower-owned distributor of fruits and vegetables and part of Grupo Alta, has adopted StePac’s new standing pouches. The Xgo standing pouch is engineered to combine shelf-life extension capabilities by actively slowing the aging and ripening process, with convenience in an “grab-n-go” retail packaging format.
The company began testing the new Xgo standing pouches just over two years ago in a move to expand their line products and bring differentiation of their brand by offering retailers means of bringing packaging benefits from the farm to the consumer.
Xgo standing pouches allowed the company to shift to packing fresh produce in the final retail format at source. The Divine Flavor technical team fully adopted the protocol in 2020 for direct field-to-home refrigerator packaging of its Persian cucumbers for the U.S. market.
“The Xgo standing pouch is a remarkably high performing product, with an unrivalled ability to retain freshness and meaningfully extend product shelf life,” said Michael DuPuis, Quality Assurance and Public Relations Coordinator for Divine Flavors. “The Feedback from our customers has been excellent; they’re really happy with the quality and attractive appearance and the fact that it has that sustainability edge consumers are seeking.”
The Xgo standing pouch life extension capabilities are due to properties built into the packaging matrix to lower oxygen (O2) and increase carbon dioxide (CO2). This creates optimal conditions for slowing respiration and senescence (aging) in plant tissues, inhibiting the growth of mold and other microorganisms.
The StePac technology limits dehydration and product weight loss during storage, shipment, and home use and has inbuilt condensation control, that ensures high visibility of the packed products even under challenging supply chain conditions.
