Mocon’s new testing instrument detects headspace gas

Mocon has unveiled a new testing instrument for food packagers that improves the accuracy of their package headspace oxygen readings.

The new instrumentation technology aims to help brand owners optimise material attributes and improve economics while meeting shelf life and other performance-related objectives, the US-based company said.

The OpTech-O2 Model P test system uses a patent-pending Pressure Needle and sensor to automatically measure internal package pressure and calculate the correct oxygen reading. The ability of the instrument to automatically compensate for the internal pressure when measuring headspace gas is particularly important for small packages as the force required to insert the needle can impact upon the internal pressure, Mocon added.

The technology also has applications in the pharmaceutical industry, where headspace oxygen can exist in packets of medicine tablets.

Mocon vice president Doug Lindemann said: “Meeting shelf life objectives are critical to companies marketing perishable products. Pharmaceutical firms want to make sure that headspace oxygen doesn’t negatively impact efficacy, while food companies want consumers to experience fresh, wholesome products. Getting accurate oxygen readings is critical to meeting those objectives. The OpTech-O2 Model P, when used with the Pressure Needle, provides automatic, accurate results in cases when internal package pressure was skewing the outcome.”