A review of the integrity of heat processed
containers through manufacturing and distribution

Appreciate the key factors influencing the integrity of heat processed containers, including rigid and flexible types, to help ensure compatibility between process and package and assure the safety of end products

As filling technologies and container types evolve, new challenges emerge. The integrity of the packages used to contain heat processed foods - whether rigid or flexible - is crucial in maintaining product safety. If the physical barrier is breached then product contamination becomes more likely and a food poisoning incident a distinct possibility. Even if it does not result in food poisoning, it can nevertheless lead to spoilage, loss of stock, increased hygiene problems in storage areas where product has leaked, and rejection of damaged containers by consumers.

This document reviews good practice for maintaining the integrity of containers going through heat pasteurisation and sterilisation processes. It covers any defect that could occur from container reception at the packer through to retail. After an introduction and a consideration of the issues that affect all pack types, it looks in turn at metal cans, pouches, glass containers and semi-rigid trays. In each case it works through the issues in a standard way, considering the specification and container at reception, filling and exhausting, sealing, processing and cooling, post process drying, and container handling and storage. In pulling together existing information from disparate sources, the review should be of interest to anyone working with heat processed foods and with responsibility for or concern about package integrity.

Introduction

Factors affecting all containers

• Specification and container reception at the packer
• Filling and exhausting
• Seaming/sealing
• Thermal processing and cooling
• Post process drying
• Container handling in factories
• Storage and distribution

Metal cans

• Specification and container reception at the packer
• Filling and exhausting
• Seaming
• Thermal processing and cooling
• Post process drying
• Container handling in factories
• Storage and distribution

Pouches

• Specification and container reception at the packer
• Filling and exhausting
• Sealing
• Thermal processing and cooling
• Post process drying
• Container handling in factories
• Storage and distribution

Glass containers

• Specification and container reception at the packer
• Filling and exhausting
• Capping
• Thermal processing and cooling
• Post process drying
• Container handling in factories
• Storage and distribution

Semi-rigid trays

• Specification and container reception at the packer
• Filling and exhausting
• Sealing
• Thermal processing and cooling
• Post process drying
• Container handling in factories
• Storage and distribution

References

Softcover - approx. 48 pages