Linde Gases has announced the launch of a new technology to detect defects in modified atmosphere packaging (MAP).
Mapax Leak Detection (LD) is “a high-speed, non-destructive, in-line unit which uses food-grade hydrogen gas in place of visual or manual water-based testing to identify faulty MAP packaging” in a variety of applications, its manufacturer said.
The new technology potentially offers an alternative to the traditional sample testing measures that exist for hermetically sealed packaging.
Linde Gases, which is a part of the Linde Group, claimed that the issue of faulty food packaging “can lead to increased production costs for [the] food packager and reduced shelf life, spoilage and customer complaints for the food retailer.”
“In serious cases, large batches of faulty packaging can even lead to potential financial penalties for food packagers and risks to consumer safety,” it added.
Mark Ewig, global strategic marketing and development for food and beverages for Linde, said: “Mapax LD is unique in that it allows for the identification of defective packaging to be undertaken as part of the overall production process with a 100% validation rate – so that each and every item is analysed, with up to a hundred checked per minute.
“By using hydrogen gas to detect any faults in the packaging, the analysis is non-destructive – versus the water-based method where the food item is likely to be destroyed once immersed. The non-destructive method allows for the food item to be taken off the production line, defective packaging removed and then repackaged, thereby reducing food wastage.”
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