Packaging of Potato Packaging of Potato Introduction India

Packaging of Potato

Packaging of Potato Introduction • India is the second largest producer of fruits and vegetables. • India produces quite a huge quantity of potatoes in the world. • It will have no significance if potatoes don’t reach the consumer in fresh and palatable condition at a reasonable price. • Post-harvest losses are occur in potatoes in the period between harvesting and consumption. • Due to heavy post harvest losses, a considerable gap between production and availability of potatoes to consumers. • Thus, there is an urgent need to adopt proper post harvest management practices by adopting improved packaging, handling and efficient transportation methods to reduce such losses.

Packaging of Potato Introduction cont…. . • Packaging is required to keep fruits, vegetables and root crops in good condition until it is soled and consumed. • Packaging serves as an efficient handling unit to carry produce from field to consumer. • The package should protect the produce against rotting. • Packages should also protect the produce from damage.

Packaging of Potato Definition of Food Packaging Food packaging is defined as a mean or system by which a fresh produce or processed product will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an affordable price

Packaging of Potato Functions of Packaging Material Two main functions of packaging are: 1. To assemble the produce into convenient units for handling. 2. To protect the produce during distribution, storage and marketing.

Packaging of Potato Packaging materials serve the following purposes • • • Serves as an efficient handling unit Protects from mechanical damage Protects against moisture loss Provides clean and sanitary storage Should be able to prevent pilferage Provides sales and service motivation Reduces the cost of transport and marketing Should look attractive Should add value to the produce Should provide hygienic conditions to the produce

Packaging of Potato Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce 1. Basket made of woven strips of leaves, bamboo, plastic etc. 2. Sacks: flexible, made of plastic or jute. i) Bags: small size sack ii) Nets: sacks made of open mesh 3. Wooden crates 4. Fibreboard boxes i) Solid fibreboard boxes ii) Corrugated fibreboard boxes 5. Plastic crates 6. Biodegradable plastics 7. New innovations in packaging of fruits, vegetables and root crops 8. Pallet boxes and shipping containers

Packaging of Potato Packaging Materials for Processed Products Packaging for processed products is of several types: 1. Glass containers 2. Metal cans 3. Aluminium foil 4. Plastic materials 5. Collapsible containers 6. Composite containers

Packaging of Potato Cushioning Materials and Wrap • Dry grass, paddy straw, leaves, saw dust, paper shreds etc. can be used as cushioning material for packaging fruits and vegetables. • It should dissipate the heat of respiration of the produce. • It should be free from infection and should be physiologically inactive. • Moulded pulp tray, honeycomb portion, cell pack are used replacing the cushioning material.

Packaging of Potato Cushioning Materials and Wrap • Shrink-wrapping of individual produce items is a new and very useful technique. • Shrink-wrapping with an engineered plastic wrap can reduce • shrinkage, • protect the produce from disease, • reduce mechanical damage and • provide a good surface for stick-on labels

Packaging of Potato Precautions during Packing • Containers should not be filled either too loosely or too tightly for best results • Loose products may vibrate against each other and cause bruising • While over-packing results in compression bruising. • Proper filling along with cushioning can minimize the bruising damage.

Packaging of Potato Packing of Potato • Fibre mesh sacks, plastic film sacks, burlap bags are commonly used packaging materials for potatoes • Tinted plastic bags are used to reduce light transmission to the tubers • Tubers in the transparent film bags should be protected from direct sunlight to avoid greening of the tubers • For local markets, potatoes are taken in plastic crates

Packaging of Potato Packaging Potato packaging bag Leno bag for potato packaging 25 X 50 mesh potato packaging bag

Packaging of Potato Packaging 500 X 667 Holland Potatoes Packaging http: //www. alibaba. com/productgs/326949402/fresh_potato. html

Packaging of Potato Box for Packaging Source: http: //www. ecopac. co. uk/About. Us. aspx

Packaging of Potato Processed Potato Product Packaging Flexible packaging for potato products

Packaging of Potato Packaging products from potatoes • 100% biodegradable • 100% compostable • Not harmful to human, animal or marine life even if eaten by mistake • Main ingredient is Potato starch • Manufactured by compression moulding • Product range: plates, trays, bowls and • Punnets

Packaging of Potato Let Us Sum Up • Food packaging is a system by which the fresh or processed product will reach the consumer from the production centre in safe and sound condition at an affordable cost. • It serves two basic objectives, i. e. , marketing and logistics. • Adopting improved packaging, handling and transportation methods during distribution and marketing can successfully reduce huge post harvest losses. • The product requirements, the marketing system and the personnel preference will determine the type of packaging material to be used. • Potatoes can also be used to make biodegradable packaging material.