Are you looking to scale up your food production business? Supermarkets are looking for food businesses who are retail ready – with food that is fresh, natural and preservative free. Each day that you can add to the supply chain counts. That's where Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) can help you to increase your shelf life by up to 500%, enhance the presentation of your products and prevent spoilage. And while waste matters to every food manufacturer, the issue of food waste seems to have taken the public by storm.

The good news is that several studies indicate that the massive food waste mountain could be reduced by extending shelf life. According to research by WRAP, an increase of shelf life of just one day could help prevent up to 0.2 million tonnes of household food waste! ¹⁾

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP), or gas flushing, is an established technology proven to slow microbial spoilage and extend the shelf life of packaged foods, thus reducing food waste. 

Derived from the very air that we breathe, all natural MAP typically involves the use of three gases – carbon dioxide (CO₂), nitrogen (N₂) and oxygen (O₂). Products are packed either in a single gas or a combination of the gases, depending on the physical and chemical properties of the food. Other benefits of MAP can include an improved appearance of foods and integral packaging free from drips and odours.

Helping to promote innovation

Our customer Manor Farm has been packing their fresh chicken in a modified atmosphere since 2006, to achieve an extended shelf life without the addition of preservatives. The significant growth of the business has thrown up a number of challenges including managing production peaks and troughs, meeting sustainability targets, and the desire to be recognised as innovators in the field. In fact, Manor Farm's success has led the business to grow from a MAP cylinder customer to one receiving a bulk supply of gas. 

Farm to Fork Traceability

As a specialist supplier of MAP gases, we are pleased to report that we exceed the current quality and traceability legislation. Each Freshline® cylinder has full traceability through a unique batch number placed on the cylinder which allows for it to be traced back to the Air Products' depot where it was filled.