Q: What literature information is available in regard to the sensitivity of various food types to oxygen concentration? Specifically, which oxygen concentrations at which degradation of particular food types start?
A: Contacting a lab that can do such testing will be able to address that more specifically. It is very important for you to know the oxygen buffering and headspace requirements of your package.
Would be best to speak with a food scientist to find the answer to your particular packaging
Q: Do you think change in atmospheric temperature due to seasonal changes affects gas concentration in food packages?
A: Temperature is a major factor. There is definitely a direct correlation with transmission rate along with the combination of other factors such as pressure on the package in distribution. Not only with food but any modified atmosphere package can be affected by temperature.
This can be evaluated in a lab that does this specific testing.
Q: I work in the vaccine industry specifically using vials, stoppers and seals for product integrity. I would like to utilize head space gas analysis for product integrity as an alternative to the current microbial intrusion and helium leak test. Have you seen this used in the pharmaceutical industry?
A: Yes, more so from an investigative standpoint than validation standpoint. But any time you are able to move away from the microbial test it will be embraced by the industry and the regulatory agencies because of the inaccuracies in the microbial testing method.
MAP is becoming more prevalent in the Medical Device industry, to be able to control and verify at any point in the distribution process is a huge need and the capabilities for this definitely do exist with headspace technology and also non-evasive technology such as optical.
Q: What is package integrity testing?
A: The ability to ensure that you package delivers your product correctly.
Q: I am interested in the detection of leaks in food packages that are caused by seal area contamination. 100% inspection at high speed. Any ideas?
A: In real time testing, they do have visioning systems for use with certain types of packaging equipment. You can also work with outside suppliers that have that certain type of equipment to test for that.
Q: I work in the meat processing industry; lighting used at the grocery stores can discolor the product. Film coating suggestions?
A: I can’t give any specific coatings, but you will need a UV barrier coating or film for you package. I would speak with your film supplier to see about purchasing a UV barrier film.
Q: Do you recommend conducting ASTM drop testing for shelf-life studies in the hot/cold environments? (Parts may see this during distribution)
A: When you create a new package or material with no experience, what I will do is put that through extreme testing. Example: Put it through sub-zero temperatures then immediately through a distribution test. Then do the same but with high temperatures to try and find any points of failure. Put your package through many temperature extremes and challenge it, then evaluate your product.
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