FEATURE
INCORPORATING COLD CHAIN
requirements. It engages with the relevant authorities in South Africa to collaborate and communication are essential to experts, importers and potential partners
regulatory authorities as well as industry on or provide technical capacity inform suspension of imports and prevent in the exporting country to support the
organisations in trade-partner countries assistance to improve compliance recurrence of the problem. FPIA aims to technical processes involved with market
to ensure that its members have access of the sector to SPS requirements. In continue and improve on this partnership access for perishable products. It provides
to verified information and stay informed cases of non-compliance, efficient that will build and develop SPS capacity a forum for information exchange and
about potential threats (especially SPS handling of intercepted consignments to ensure safe but free trade. therefore improves predictability of trade
issues) to existing supply chains. is crucial because of the bio-security
An important focus area for FPIA in
whilst lowing risk of interceptions.
risk involved whilst detained at ports of terms of further capacity building is SPS along the supply chain to communicate entry or approved facilities as well as the related research in areas such as host and address specific challenges to potential financial losses to the importer specificity studies, biological control, pre import markets that are priority for its due to quality deterioration and storage and post-harvest technologies, post- treatment that uses ionising radiation
members, for example partnering with costs. An effective interception system harvest quality management and food on commodities such as fruits and
research institutions to conduct pest is required that includes appropriate safety in imports. Furthermore, FPIA is vegetables to inactivate pests such
specific surveys that would address inspection and sampling, efficient actively involved in the prioritisation and as insects. This method is used for
specific challenges to existing or potential diagnostic services, timely risk decision- development of new import markets for international food trade to prevent
new markets. Most importantly, it has making and subsequent phytosanitary South Africa. It regularly partners with the spread of non-native organisms.
partnered with some of the SPS regulatory management activities. Record-keeping relevant regulatory authorities, technical
FPIA partners with various role-players
DID YOU KNOW?
Phytosanitary irradiation is a
Modified Atmosphere Packaging: the freshest technology out there
By Gary Ward, technical development manager of StePac Israel, part of Johnson Matthey PLC UK
Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) is a proven, high-performance fresh produce packaging technology designed to preserve
freshness and good appearance, inhibit decay, extend storage and shelf life, and ultimately reduce waste within the supply chain.
Fresh fruits and vegetables continue
respiring (breathing) after harvest. During
the respiration process, the fresh fruits
and vegetables consume oxygen (O 2 ) in
order to derive energy for driving cellular
processes and emit carbon dioxide (CO 2 ),
heat, and water vapor. Storage life of
fresh fruits and vegetables is inversely
correlated with respiration rates – the
higher the respiration, the more perishable
the produce and vice versa. This is the
underlying reason why produce with
high respiration rates, such as broccoli,
asparagus, mushrooms, spinach and
sweet corn, have a much shorter shelf
life than those with low respiration rates
such as nuts, dates, apples, citrus, grapes,
onions and potatoes.
Lowering temperature reduces
respiration rate and extends storage,
but is also well known that a reduction
in O 2 and an increase in CO 2
concentrations and the generation of
a so-called modified atmosphere, slows
respiration rates of many fresh produce
items and inhibits the biosynthesis and
action of the plant hormone ethylene,
responsible for the ageing and ripening
processes. If the produce tolerates
high CO 2 concentrations a fungi-static
effect can also be achieved, inhibiting
fungal growth.
Importers and exporters must be aware of the local regulations regarding imports and exports.
COLD LINK AFRICA •
OCTOBER 2019
Successful implementation and sustained
success of MAP is highly dependent on
numerous factors:
• Choosing produce varieties that
respond well to MAP. Good cultivation
and harvest practices that lead to the
highest possible quality and storability.
• Sorting and grading of the highest
quality produce to pack.
• Prompt cooling to the optimal storage
temperature. It is critical to use the
most suitable cooling technique for
the produce in question, with the aim
of cooling the produce as quickly as
possible and minimising weight loss.
• Good temperature management
throughout the supply chain,
including ongoing monitoring and
mapping of temperature, can
optimise the cold chain.
• Proper disease management during
cultivation and post-harvest. If
produce is washed after harvest,
then it should be in disinfected water
to prevent cross-contamination
and thoroughly dried afterwards.
Approved fungicides are often
recommended in order to supplement
the packaging in reducing the risk of
microbial decay.
• Advanced packaging – designed to
provide optimal modified atmosphere
and yet tolerant to temperature
fluctuations; inevitable in most supply
chains.
• Condensation control of well-designed
MAP – also manages the humidity
inside the packaging. As produce
respires, relative humidity inside
the packaging increases, and at
•
equilibrium, will be close to saturation.
Condensed water on the surface of
fruits and vegetables can adversely
affect the gas exchange of the
produce, leading to an unfavourable
internal atmosphere. The most
noticeable effect of condensation
is accelerated microbial growth
and subsequent decay. Selection
of a film with a suitable Water Vapor
Transmission Rate (WVTR) that takes
into consideration the supply chain
length and sensitivity to excess
moisture and dehydration is critical.
Good box design that enables
unimpeded air flow from one side of
the pallet to the other.
The promotion of healthy eating and
an increasing world population are
driving global transactions and the
consumption of fruits and vegetables
In efforts to make the transactions cost-
effective, the reduction of supply chain
waste and carbon footprint are driving
the increased use of MAP technology
to preserve and extend fresh produce
shelf life. The successful implementation
of MAP necessitates a holistic approach
that comprises an understanding of
postharvest pathology, physiology, cold
chain logistics and the interaction of these
factors with packaging design. CLA
REFERENCES:
1.
2.
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries, Republic of South Africa.
Modified Atmosphere Packaging: The
Freshest Technology Out There! Gary
Ward, Ph.D. Technical Development
Manager StePac, Israel.
www.coldlinkafrica.co.za
31