Air Products launches gas cylinder with anti-microbial coating and bacterial filter to minimize risk of contamination in modified-atmosphere food packaging applications

Philip Goldsmith

ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania , March 12, 2012 (Air Products) – Air Products is launching an innovative gas cylinder with built-in barrier technology to drive hygiene and safety standards in the food packaging industry.

Developed specifically for use in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) applications, the Freshline® Plus cylinder has an antimicrobial coating, which is designed to minimise the risk of contamination in food processing areas. This hi-tech coating provides built-in protection inhibiting the growth of microbes, bacteria and mould on the cylinder's surface.

The cylinder benefits from improved corrosion resistance and is also fitted with a unique 0.2 micron bacterial filter and residual pressure valve for extra protection and safety. These features act as a barrier, protecting the gas product from external contaminants.

Michelle Jackson, European Map Manager at Air Products, said:

"Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and safety is vital in the food processing industry and we have developed a gas cylinder that offers market-leading performance in this area.

"The built-in features of the new cylinder are specifically designed to minimise the risk of contamination in the food production environment, regardless of how many times the cylinders are handled or used. Using the new cylinders gives the food processor the assurance that the gas products they are using are pure at the point of use."

Safety and traceability are important criteria in gas selection for the food industry and to ensure compliance with the latest regulations and standards, Air Products recommends that only food grade gases are used in MAP applications. Michelle Jackson adds:

"Backed by more than 50 years experience in the field of food, Air Products has worked with food manufacturers and packaging companies to develop enhanced solutions that fulfil the latest traceability and food safety regulations. This new cylinder represents an important step forward that brings the industry extra peace of mind." The Air Products Freshline MAP Handbook helps food producers and packagers to select the right gas mixture for their food product. The handbook contains information about gases, films machinery, legislation and technology for the food packaging industry.

Also at the exhibition…

At FoodEx, Air Products is featuring two new cryogenic tunnel freezers which can be used to rapidly freeze or chill a wide variety of foods such as meat and poultry, seafood, fruits and vegetables, pasta, dairy products, baked goods and prepared meals.

The Freshline® QS tunnel freezer is designed with simplicity in mind, and is ideal for smaller volume food processors and start-ups that want to begin freezing a high quality product with minimal upfront cost.
The Freshline MP tunnel freezer is for users with a larger volume freezing requirement of up to 3,000kg/hour. This state-of-the-art, cryogenic tunnel freezer has been designed to provide exceptional performance, while incorporating the latest international hygiene standards.

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