Packaging of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Fresh fruits and vegetables are one of the cornerstones of a healthy diet. However, the packaging is essential in order to preserve the freshness of these products and to deliver them to the consumer in a hygienic way. Boxes made of corrugated cardboard are the most suitable packaging for safely transporting fresh vegetables and fruits, produced with great effort andcare, from the field to the table.
Packaging is essential to preserve the freshness of fruits and vegetables and their flavour and nutritional value. Packaging slows down the decay process and preserves the freshness of the products by keeping them in moisture-free environments. They ensure that the products remain in a hygienic environment during transportation, storage and sale. In this way, they prevent the contamination of germs and bacteria by exposing the products to environmental factors. Packaging provides easy transportation and storage of products. This prevents products from being damaged and spoiled.
Corrugated cardboard is most preferred for packaging fresh vegetables and fruits. The fresh vegetable and fruit box produced from corrugated cardboard is advantageous in many ways. Corrugated cardboard has high strength and is lightweight. It provides solid protection and is easy to carry. This structure occupies less space during stacking in vehicles and warehouses. It takes less space and reduces transportation and warehouse costs by using fewer vehicles and fuel.
Packaging options for dry or fresh vegetable and fruit packaging materials can be used. The choice of material may vary depending on the product's characteristics and the storage period. Commonly used packaging materials include paper, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic films, stretch films, and various biological materials.
Corrugated cardboard is among the widely preferred materials for packaging fruits and vegetables. Corrugated cardboard is a durable, environmentally friendly and recyclable material. It also prevents products from being damaged and provides air circulation.
Plastic materials are not disposable, like corrugated cardboard. They create a suitable environment for microorganisms because they are used many times, and the micro-cracks on the surface provide a suitable environment. For this reason, corrugated cardboard packaging is more hygienic than plastic alternatives. In addition, the recycling rate of plastic is lower than corrugated cardboard. Plastic packaging is not environmentally friendly and leaves residue for a long time when thrown into nature. For these reasons, the use of plastic packaging materials has been tried to be reduced in recent years.
Corrugated cardboard offers many advantages over plastic materials. It keeps the products fresh, is environmentally friendly and recyclable. It also protects during the transportation and storage of products. Corrugated cardboard costs much less than glass, plastic and wood alternatives. For this reason, products made of corrugated cardboard are an ideal option for packaging fruits and vegetables.
Generally, low temperatures and high humidity are required to store fruits and vegetables. Therefore, cold storage is used for the storage of these products.
The packaging used during storing and transporting fruits and vegetables is essential to prevent the products from rotting and being damaged. Fresh fruit and vegetable packaging prevents the products from being damaged, ensures air circulation, and keeps the products fresh for longer.
Dried fruits can be stored at room temperature. However, factors such as humidity and temperature can affect the quality of dried fruits. Therefore, dried fruits should also be stored with proper packaging. Dry fruit packaging prevents the products from being affected by moisture and keeps them fresh.
How does the packaging process preserve the flavour and nutritional value of fresh fruit and vegetables?
The packaging process of fresh fruits and vegetables is critical to preserve the flavour and nutritional value of the products. Therefore, wholesalers should protect their products by using suitable packaging materials.
Another critical factor in fruit and vegetable packaging is the viol technology. Some sensitive fruits may be damaged during transport.
They should not come into contact with each other. Sensitive fruits rot quickly and lose their nutritional value when they come into contact with each other. Viols, which consist of recesses prepared by the product's structure, prevent the products from contacting each other. Products stay fresh from field to table.
Considerations in the packaging process include selecting appropriate packaging materials, working in a clean environment, correct placement of products, correct use of packaging materials, labelling, and post-packaging control. These steps are essential to ensure the safe transportation and storage of products.
Packaging can have a severe environmental impact if not done correctly. However, packaging materials produced with a sustainable production approach protect the environment and ensure safe transportation and storage of products. In particular, corrugated cardboard, as a recyclable material, offers an environmentally friendly packaging option. Corrugated cardboard is frequently used to produce fresh fruit and vegetable boxes. These boxes are used to transport vegetables and fruits from fields to markets. Produced with a sustainable production approach, these boxes are produced from renewable natural resources and can be reused thanks to their recyclable features. In addition, the fresh fruit and vegetable box made of corrugated cardboard is light and durable, which reduces transportation and storage costs while minimizing its impact on the environment.
