Irradiation as a means of sterilizing packaging materials for aseptic systems

Long shelf life of foodstuffs is essential in order to feed the nations of the world. For 'wet' products which quickly deteriorate in air, the use of refrigeration, retort processing and preservatives can be considered. For example, the metal can will continue to be a reliable means of keeping meat and vegetable products in good condition for long periods at ambient conditons. Today, people require food items to be free of preservatives and with a flavour and texture very close to the original, at all times of the year, at lowest cost. Minimal heat processing and immediate filling into a pre-sterilised container without any possibility of contact with the atmosphere, is the logical route to take to meet these requirements and constitutes an aseptic system. The filled product remains in prime condition for many months without the need for refrigeration and preservatives. Irradiation is a convenient and cheap means of pre-sterilising plastic bags for Bag-in-Box systems and the writer will describe how fruit juices and fruit purees are now being packaged aseptically in South Africa and overseas