re~fresh Packaging for Prepared Salads

Convex Plastics can provide an optimal solution for any prepared salad mix.

Consumer demand for freshness and convenience has led to the evolution and increased production of several kinds of minimally processed vegetables. For added convenience in the home or food service establishment, several produce items are often combined.

Mixed prepared vegetables deteriorate rapidly in quality and have short shelf lives. Prepared salads have the difficulty of having several different components all with widely varying requirements and respiration rates. Cut or shredded plant tissues also deteriorate more rapidly and have an inherently shorter shelf-life than produce marketed in a "whole" condition. Small pieces of tissue are more susceptible to moisture loss and wilting, and the cut surfaces dry out and frequently become discoloured. In addition, the juices exuding from the damaged cells at the cut surfaces provide an excellent growth medium for micro-organisms, particularly mould and yeasts.

By investigating each component individually and as a complete product Convex Plastics can provide an optimal solution for any prepared salad mix.

The key requirements in the minimal processing of salads are:

  •     Good quality raw materials (cultivation, harvesting, storage)
  •     Strict hygiene and good manufacturing practices (HACCP)
  •     Low temperatures during processing
  •     Careful cleaning and/or washing before and after peeling
  •     Good quality processing water (sensory, microbial, pH)
  •     Use of mild additives in washing water for disinfection and the prevention of browning
  •     Gentle spin drying following washing
  •     Gentle cutting, slicing, peeling and/or shredding
  •     Correct packaging materials and packaging methods
  •     Correct temperature and humidity during distribution and retailing

Successful applications include:

Broccoli slaw, coleslaw, dry slaw, stir fry mix, casserole mix, chop suey mix, mixed leaf salad. 

e~fresh Packaging for Prepared Salads
re~fresh packaging for prepared saladsConvex Plastics can provide an optimal solution for any prepared salad mix
Consumer demand for freshness and convenience has led to the evolution and increased production of several kinds of minimally processed vegetables. For added convenience in the home or food service establishment, several produce items are often combined.
Mixed prepared vegetables deteriorate rapidly in quality and have short shelf lives. Prepared salads have the difficulty of having several different components all with widely varying requirements and respiration rates. Cut or shredded plant tissues also deteriorate more rapidly and have an inherently shorter shelf-life than produce marketed in a "whole" condition. Small pieces of tissue are more susceptible to moisture loss and wilting, and the cut surfaces dry out and frequently become discoloured. In addition, the juices exuding from the damaged cells at the cut surfaces provide an excellent growth medium for micro-organisms, particularly mould and yeasts.
By investigating each component individually and as a complete product Convex Plastics can provide an optimal solution for any prepared salad mix.
The key requirements in the minimal processing of salads are:
    * Good quality raw materials (cultivation, harvesting, storage)
    * Strict hygiene and good manufacturing practices (HACCP)
    * Low temperatures during processing
    * Careful cleaning and/or washing before and after peeling
    * Good quality processing water (sensory, microbial, pH)
    * Use of mild additives in washing water for disinfection and the prevention of browning
    * Gentle spin drying following washing
    * Gentle cutting, slicing, peeling and/or shredding
    * Correct packaging materials and packaging methods
    * Correct temperature and humidity during distribution and retailing
Successful applications include:
Broccoli slaw, coleslaw, dry slaw, stir fry mix, casserole mix, chop suey mix, mixed leaf salad.