Packaging film ensures spuds don’t spoil

UK supermarket giant, Asda, has chosen a Grimsby-based flexible packaging manufacturer to supply a range of films to extend the shelf life of some of its potatoes by modifying the atmosphere in the pack.

Ultimate Packaging’s Viridiflex film works by drawing moisture away from fresh produce, creating an environment that can help to prevent decay. The company says the film’s oxygen barrier qualities can be manipulated with laser perforation to modify the film to create packaging that can optimise the shelf life of various types of fresh produce.

Viridiflex is a laminate structure that has been designed by Ultimate’s technical team, working closely with Innovia Films and customers involved in the harvest and packing of fresh produce to supply retailers across Britain. Natureflex film, manufactured by Innovia Films, has high gloss and provides a degree of permeability to moisture. This controlled moisture release prevents dehydration on one side and mould growth on the other. Ultimate says using Natureflex as a component makes Viridiflex ideal for extending the shelf life of a range of fresh produce.

Jon Wynn, Asda Produce Category Technical Manager, said: “Asda customers have benefited from a significant increase in product life and end of life product quality, highlighted by a 92 percent year on year reduction in complaints in the first five weeks of the ‘Extra Special Cornish Crystal Potato’ season.”