Tomato packaging app for easy Fresh produce packaging.

Tomato Fresh produce packaging app.

Software app for Fresh produce blockchain Fresh produce packaging packing: grading, sorting, and processing. Includes export, wholesale, and full packing management app. Built around Fresh produce packaging & recalls: bar-code inventory, B2B Customer Portal, Shop front, FARM MANAGEMENT OPTION and more... Farmsoft provides complete management for onion packing, broccoli packing, citrus packing, pepper packing, tomato packing, avocado packing, potato packing. Salad packing, Loose leaf lettuce and other fresh produce such as spinach, rucola, chicory, watercress. Cucumber packing. Citrus Fresh produce packaging for lemon, orange, mandarin, tangerine, clementine. Asparagus packing. Onion inventory & storage. Potato inventory storage app. Potato Fresh produce packaging app for better packing & logistics. Onion Fresh produce packaging management. Tomato Fresh produce packaging for food safety. Print fresh produce blockchain QR codes.

Inventory Fresh produce packaging

Manage incoming Tomato Fresh produce packaging inventory & storage inventory, capture supplier details, Fresh produce packaging and costs (optionally capture on PO in advance), create inventory & pallet labels, record storage location of inventory.  Automatic inventory audit trail and tracking.  Unlimited inventory items. Bar-code inventory management.

Stock-take Fresh produce packaging

Perform stock-takes any time by category or storage location.  Know how much onion inventory you have in real time, even search by storage location.  Report by product line and storage location, or product category. 

OPTION:
TOMATO FARM Management

Full farm record keeping, activity management, best practices, budgeting, time-sheets, machinery costs, inventory, cherry farm Fresh produce packaging, PHI/WHP management, and more... 

Sales, shipping,  order Fresh produce packaging

Print pick sheet to pick Tomato Fresh produce packaging inventory & storage orders manually, or scan inventory / pallets onto orders, or auto select inventory,  or rapidly sell without an order.  Track paid, and unpaid invoices.  Attach documents to invoices / photos of outgoing shipments.

Traceability & recalls

Instant mock recalls both up and down the supply chain using keys based on supplier lot/batch, supplier name, delivery date, invoice #, inventory #, pallet #, customer reference, order # and more...  Reduces fresh produce food safety compliance costs and makes audits easy.

Invoices, BOL, labels for pallets & inventory Fresh produce packaging

Choose from a gallery of invoices, bill of lading, freight notes, and industry standard fresh produce labels including Walmart, Tesco, Aldi, Coles, Pick 'n Save, Woolworths and more...

Batch packing Fresh produce packaging 

Record all batch inputs such as fruit & vegetables, packaging materials, and other raw materials.  Batch costs automatically tracked.  Batch recalls automatically track suppliers & Fresh produce packaging.

Logistics Fresh produce packaging

View open orders & balances. Assign orders to specific staff for picking, assign to trucks / driver, transport company.  Set loading order for multiple orders on one truck.  See when orders are ready shipped and print bill of lading, export documents, and invoices. 

Quality control

Perform QC tests for incoming pepper inventory, packed, pre-shipping. Configure QC tests for ANYTHING you want to test, supplier quality control tracking.  Attach unlimited photos & documents to QC tests from your cell or tablet.  

Price lists

Manage prices that will be used when a customer order is recorded.  Set up price lists for specials, specific products & customers or promotions.  

Dashboards

Profit:  Analyze profit of each onion line, variety, and even track individual customer profit, and batch level cost & profit.  Sales:  Monitor sales progress & shipments.  Quality:  supplier performance & more...

More...

Auto shipment and sale alerts to customers.  Configure BOM, packing / manufacturing processes, special rules to control the processes in your business (your consultant will do this for you).   

Value adding

For food service and processors:  specify the ingredients for each product you manufacture, farmsoft will calculate required quantities to fill open orders and schedule the batch.  Automatic creation of inventory outputs.  All ingredients and inputs are costed.

Unlimited sites & warehouses

Create multiple sites, specify which sites each employee can view (this restricts inventory, orders, invoices etc to selected sites).  Great for businesses with multiple locations across the country or planet.

Global Fresh produce packaging standards

Farmsoft supports global Fresh produce packaging standards such as GS1 Global Fresh produce packaging Standard,  

Purchase orders

Order raw materials, packaging materials and more from suppliers.  Analyze orders and prices using Purchases dashboard. 

Re-order alerts

Receive alerts when inventory needs to be reordered, analyze inventory that will need ordering in the future, and inventory that is approaching expiry...


Finance apps

Integrate with Xero finance, or export invoices (AR) and Purchase Orders (AP) to your chosen finance app like MYOB, Quickbooks, , FreshBooks, Wave, SaasAnt, SAGE and others...

Reduce Tomato waste by 99%

Fresh produce packaging ensures there is no 'shrinkage', fresh produce inventory is FIFO managed, and expiring inventory always monitored, with automatic traceability being enforced at all times.

Reduce Tomato Fresh produce packaging administration time by 60%

Automatic traceability & paperwork, labels (case and pallet) and reporting reduces the burden on administration teams and saves everyone's time.

Rapid & consistent Tomato quality control

Quality control and food safety has never been easier with industry standard quality tests, food safety checklists; or configure your own tests.  Enhanced post harvest Fresh produce packaging.

100% accurate orders, 100% accurate Fresh produce packaging!

Guarantee only the correct inventory is shipped for each order, on time, every time.  Simple Fresh produce packaging solution.

Easy Tomato Fresh produce packaging

Perform instant mock recalls and audits at any time, from anywhere. No need to compile reports or search for documents. International food safety traceability standards maintained.

Reduce Tomato Fresh produce packaging overheads by 40%

Automated management of traceability tasks saves operational teams time recording Fresh produce packaging information. 

Faster Tomato inventory & Fresh produce packaging

Know exactly which inventory is available, where it is, and when it expires:  any-time, anywhere.  Bar-code tracked inventory is fast and accurate.

100% accurate Tomato   production

Rapidly assign customer orders to production batches, line & inventory managers receive instant alerts.  Manufacture / pack the exact quantity required for each order. 

NNZ offers a broad portfolio of packaging materials for tomatoes. These materials include film, net bags, trays, PP/PET cups and buckets for fresh produce.

tomatoes - tubular net header bag tomatoes - film bag tomatoes - film bag tomatoes - flowpack film tomatoes - cardboard tray with lid tomatoes - cardboard tray with lid tomatoes - plastic tray with flowpack film tomatoes - plastic tray with flowpack film tomatoes - cardboard tray with flowpack filmtomatoes - clamshell tray tomatoes - clamshell tray tomatoes - clamshell tray tomatoes - plastic tray with top seal tomatoes - Flow-Fresh film bag tomatoes - cups tomatoes - cups tomatoes - buckets fresh produce tomatoes - buckets fresh produce.

Tomato packaging
100% recyclable, home compostable, and sustainable tomato packaging solutions.
Tomato packaging done right.
Whether you grow cherry, grape, beefsteak, or heirloom tomatoes, ReadyCycle® offers sustainable packaging solutions that can fit for your varietals and meet your environmental goals. From field pack to automation fill, ReadyCycle adapts to your operational and retail settings.

ReadyCycle offers:

100% recyclable paperboard
Home compostable
Made with up to 30% recycled content
No Wax
No Plastic
Printed with vegetable based inks
Food-grade adhesives
Fully customizable structural design and branding

Tomatoes packaging
Packaging is one of the important aspects to consider in addressing postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables. It is enclosing food produce or product to protect it from mechanical injuries, tampering, and contamination from physical, chemical, an…
Packaging is one of the important aspects to consider in addressing postharvest losses in fruits and vegetables. It is enclosing food produce or product to protect it from mechanical injuries, tampering, and contamination from physical, chemical, and biological sources.

Packaging as a postharvest handling practice in tomato production is essential in putting the produce into sizeable portions for easy handling. However, using unsuitable packaging can cause damage, resulting in losses.

Some common packaging materials used in most developing countries include wooden crates, cardboard boxes, woven palm baskets, nylon sacks, jute sacks, and polythene bags.

Most of the abovementioned packaging materials do not give all the protection needed by the commodity. Whilst the majority of these packaging materials like the nylon sacks do not allow good aeration within the packaged commodity causing a build-up of heat due to respiration, others like the woven basket have rough surfaces and edges which cause mechanical injuries to the produce.

The wooden crate and the woven palm basket are some of the common packaging materials used in Nigeria, for packaging tomatoes. The major shortcoming of the wooden crate is in its height which creates a lot of compressive forces on fruits located at the base of the crate. These undesirable compressive forces cause internal injuries which finally result in reduced postharvest quality of the tomatoes.

So there is a great need for a better way of packaging tomatoes.



Tomatoes come in many shapes and varieties - find the right package for your tomato
Tomatoes are enjoyed by your customers in many different ways - they are great raw on a salad or cooked into "mama's homemade spaghetti sauce". Whichever type of tomato you grow, there is certainly a package to help them go out the door.



Choosing the packaging for your tomatoes really depends on how you want to sell them. Tomato boxes are great for wholesaling in bulk quantities, whereas clamshells make an easy to grab container for consumers. Tomato baskets really show off your tomatoes as "farm fresh", whereas trays market your tomatoes as high end.



TOMATO PACKAGING, LYCOPERSICON ESCULENTUM / SOLANACEAE
The consumption of fresh tomatoes is favoured by the present tendencies towards a healthier feeding. In the Spanish market, a part of the produce is marketed in bulk, in boxes of 20kg, although most of it is sold in boxes of less capacity, alveoli or simple trays, in small boxes of ¼ and ½kg for cherry tomatoes or in clusters including the rachis. The latter, which are not intended for bulk sale, go through different processes of storage, cleaning, selection... Afterwards, they are transported to their destiny, where they are packaged for their distribution and sale. The prepackaging of tomatoes is made in a wide range of sizes and types. Besides, in their manufacture they use various materials: in baskets or boxes, covered with stretchable or flow pack plastic film, in tubular meshes, mesh bags, plastic bags, flow pack without tray, etc. Cherry tomatoes are also packaged as pre-washed produce for them to be consumed in salads.

Concerning tomatoes for industry, there is a great diversity of presentations, on their own or as part of pre-cooked foodstuffs. Thus, we find for instance the peeled natural tomato and concentrate tomato, that are used in cooking as substitutes of the fresh tomato. The concentrate tomatoes are also an important raw material for a second processing of sauces, precooked food, etc. Tomato juice is also a type of consumption. Nevertheless, the second processing products are the most used. In Spain, the most consumed by-products are ketchup, fried tomato, cocktail sauce, barbecue sauce... Tomatoes are also part of multiple precooked dishes in the present fast food, like pizzas, meat or fish prepared dishes... Tomatoes intended for the industry are transported in bulk to the factories.

Tomato Clamshell
Many great options for tomatoes of all sizes. Easy to brand with a custom label. Will extend tomato shelf life.

  

COMPLETE TOMATO PACKAGING SOLUTIONS
FOR TOMATOES
Vine tomatoes in a durable paperboard tray, snack tomatoes in a handy cup, cherry tomatoes in a stylish Doypack, or a mix of different types and colors of tomatoes in a resealable plastic bowl.

JASA offers you all these options as, for many years, JASA is the expert and frontrunner in packaging tomatoes. JASA is your goto packaging company for horizontal and vertical packaging lines; we process plastic and paper packaging! One of the main advantages; JASA offers integrated, fully automated, and accurate high-speed weighing of your tomatoes. Accurate weighing avoids produce giveaway.

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT JASA'S
PACKAGING LINES FOR TOMATOES?
Contact us!
Design your complete packaging line with ONE partner

Accurate weighers, minimal product giveaway

Even the option to weigh a mix of tomato-varieties is available, each variety will be weighed according to the variety's correct weight

Your tomatoes are instantly weighed and packed

Hygienic design; quick and easy cleaning.

TOMATOES: EVERY VARIETY
AND EVERY SIZE PACKAGED TO YOUR DESIRE
From beef tomatoes to snack tomatoes, green, yellow, and red-colored, the variety of tomatoes is wide. Reason for JASA to offer extensive packaging options for tomatoes. At the same time, we ensure our packaging lines are incredibly flexible.

It is hard to predict what will be trending next in the supermarkets and what is favored by consumers, varying from buckets with a handle to Doypacks all this while preferred weights vary between 16.0 to 7.0 oz; the demand varies continuously. JASA is always prepared for these changes and can adapt the packaging lines accordingly in an instant. JASA’s packaging lines are as versatile as today’s popular demand. Even the packaging materials can be replaced as can sizes and shapes be modified. JASA’s packaging lines can also facilitate the packing of mixed varieties of tomatoes. In this case, weighing is done automatically and accurately, ensuring minimum product giveaway. You can choose the weight per sort and the minimal final packing weight.

This flexibility does not interfere with the packing speed; your tomatoes will be packed with lightning speed.

Would you like to know more about JASA's packaging solutions? Click here to read about our tomato packaging solutions or read one of our customer's experience.


Tomatoes
 
COMPLETE PACKAGING LINES FOR TOMATOES
Are you searching for a horizontal packaging line, or is a vertical machine better suited for your tomatoes? Whatever your packaging need may be, JASA can supply you with the best packaging line for the job. Depending on your needs, JASA will assess whether your existing line can be enhanced with the best suitable options, like; accurate high-speed weigher, filling station, de-nester, lidder, top-sealers, and fitting conveyor belts. During the assessment, attention is also paid to the most desirable measurements and best suitable packaging solutions: blank or printed foil, labels, or action stickers. JASA’s complete packaging lines make it all possible!



M&S LAUNCHES NEW RECYCLABLE TOMATO PACKAGING
Roll-out of widely recyclable vine tomatoes packaging part of retailer’s Plan A target for 100% of food packaging to be widely recyclable by 2025
New packaging has 95% less plastic than previous version and is set to remove an estimated 8m units of plastic by end of the year
Design features in M&S’ Fresh Market Update campaign showcasing the best of British farming
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M&S is announcing a further move to make its grocery products more sustainable with the introduction of new widely recyclable packaging for its British Collection vine tomatoes.

The new packaging replaces a hard to recycle plastic sleeve with recyclable cardboard and a small amount of plastic film; just enough to preserve the freshness of the tomatoes and still enable the pack to be recycled as cardboard in a household recycling bin.

Three on the vine tomato varieties, Piccolo, Pomodolci and Capella will be available in the new packaging, available across all M&S stores and via Ocado as of now.

Developed with Leicester-based The Reflex Packaging Group and inspired by traditional sandwich packaging, the innovative design is part of M&S’ commitment for all food packaging to be widely recyclable by 2025.

The retailer has also pledged to remove 1bn units of plastic food packaging by 2027. The new tomato packaging design has 95% less plastic, estimated to remove 8m units by the end of the year.

The new design features in M&S’ Fresh Market Update campaign showcasing how one of the retailer’s British Select Farmers delivers its popular sweet rosso tomatoes.

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Last year, M&S also introduced widely recyclable packaging for its Mandagold tangerines, removing approximately 748,000 pieces of plastic, with more citrus lines, including Blood Oranges, available in the earth packaging later this year.

Andrew Clappen, Technical Director at M&S Food, said:“At M&S we know our customers are deeply concerned about the environment and rightly expect us to make our products as sustainable as possible. That’s why we’re exploring recyclable packaging alternatives for our products, which also help us to meet our plastic reduction targets.

“We want our customers to shop with confidence knowing that the trusted value M&S is famous for means not only delicious, great value and quality produce but a more sustainable choice.”

M&S’ latest Family Matters Index revealed 64% of UK families are concerned about the environment and 56% are making an effort to educate themselves about their own environmental impact. A vast majority (88%) agree supermarkets should use recyclable packaging where possible and 37% are already changing the food they buy due to climate change.

While the new packaging is fully recyclable at home, to make it easier for customers to recycle soft plastics, M&S has rolled out recycling take back units in over 500 UK stores, with customers able to drop off items not typically collected by Local Authorities, such as yoghurt lids and sweet wrappers including those not bought at M&S.

M&S recently reset its sustainability programme Plan A, to have an unrelenting focus on becoming a net zero Scope 3 business across its supply chain and products by 2040 and to support customers to make more sustainable choices. 



Tomato production systems in developing countries are characterized by high post harvest losses. Due to the perishability of tomatoes, lack of awareness and knowledge of postharvest handling techniques, and poor packaging, farmers encounter 20% - 50% postharvest losses. Farmers use traditional baskets, wooden, and plastic crates as packaging materials during transportation of tomatoes. However, tomatoes are often damaged due to the size and inner rough surface of crates and the difficulty in handling. The need for fresh tomato at the consumer requires a packaging that protects tomatoes against physical damages, increasing its shelf life prior to consumption. Packaging is important in ensuring quality, easing handling, extending the shelf life during storage and transportation of food products. However, the conventional use of synthetic-based materials for advanced packaging contributes to environmental problems because of their non-biodegradability and health concerns.

This review article highlights the different materials used for packaging tomato and the prospects of using papaya, as a precursor for developing tomato packages.Keywords:Packaging, Tomato, Biofilms, Sub-Saharan Africa, Papaya1. IntroductionTomato is second to potato among the world’s most cultivated vegetables [1] [2] [3]. Currently, tomato is utilized as a commercial source of vitamins A and C, and antioxidants such as lycopene [4]. However, due to the perishability of tomatoes, lack of awareness and knowledge of postharvest handling techniques, and poor packaging, farmers encounter 20% - 50% postharvest losses [5] [6]. Physical damages to tomatoes when transported to markets and distribution centers from farmers are the common post-harvest concern. Therefore, to obtain optimal shelf-life, it is essential to minimize physical damage to fresh produce. Reducing such post-harvest losses of vegetables can contribute substantially to improving food security of developing countries [7].Packaging contributes to the vegetable’s production value chain through providing protection, containment, marketing platform, convenience, and traceability [8]. All over the world, plastics usage in food packaging increases every day because of their diverse availability at relatively low costs. Also, the functional characteristics of plastic such as good optical properties, good tensile and tear strength, good permeability properties to oxygen and aroma compounds and heat seal ability favor its continual use [9] [10] [11]. The continuous plastic use, however, raises environmental and public health concerns since they are non-biodegradable [12] [13].Plastics have been used for decades as packaging materials. However, scientists are making attempts to replace them with materials which are environmentally friendly [14] [15] [16] [17]. Biodegradable packaging materials which are environmentally friendly are generated from naturally occurring organic matter and can be generated from agricultural wastes contributing to bettering waste management [18] [19]. Packaging materials are colorless and flavorless by design, not to interfere with food chemical properties (sensory or nutritional appeal) [20]. Studies show that organic materials like papaya, mango, guava can be utilized to produce edible films that could be substituted as packaging material [14] [20] [21] [22]. According to [23], papaya puree has high pectin content which serves as a matrix to produce environmentally edible films. This paper therefore purposely critically explores the potential of using papaya as a packaging material for tomato.2. Tomato Production Solanum lycopersicum L., commonly known as cultivated tomato, is believed to originate from South American countries of Peru, Ecuador, and other parts of South America including the Galapagos Islands. Mexico is the center for domestication and scientific modification [24] [25], of the second most important, widely grown and consumed vegetable crop after potato [1] [2].

Due its numerous inherent nutrients, it contributes heavily to the human health [26]. It is a source of vitamin A, C, E, and lycopene, a red pigment serving as a natural antioxidant [27] [28] [29], calcium, water, and niacin, which are essential for metabolism. Worldwide, tomato is grown for use locally or as an export commodity. Between 2010-2018, the Nigeria has been the leading producer of tomatoes on average annually in Sub-Saharan Africa (Table 1). In Uganda, production was on the rise from 2010 to 2017 but experienced a slight drop in 2018. Studies conducted on the tomato crop along different stages of production have improved its economic value [30] [31] [32] [33]. However, study efforts have been rooted Table 1. Tomato production in Sub-Saharan Africa.Source: [38].mainly concentrated on on-farm production related issues like pests and diseases leaving a gap on the tail end of the value chain, post-harvest making production vulnerable to losses [34]. Despite the high yields from the harvests, farmers encounter losses during post-harvest operations starting at harvest, post-harvest handling, packaging, transportation, and distribution. Post-harvest losses for fruits and vegetables range between 30% to 80% [35], the highest reaching 70% during storage and handling in the market places [36]. Losses increase during transportation of the produce from points of production to market centers [37].3.
Packaging of Tomatoes Packaging simplifies the handling, transport, and distribution of products to the final consumers. Packaging of products provides a series of functions which include: protection/preservation, containment and waste reduction, marketing and information, traceability, convenience, tamper indication and many others [8] [39]. Therefore, employing appropriate packages, post-harvest losses in fruits and vegetables can be reduced. Packaging protects food like tomatoes from damages which are incurred from different sources (physical, chemical or biological) [40]. However, using unsuitable packaging normally results to fruit damage translating into losses along the food chain. Various packaging materials are used for commercial purpose for the sale of fresh produce at both retail and wholesale level. During storage and transport of fresh produce, the quality and shelf life is normally determined by the type and quality of packaging material.3.1. Traditional BasketsTraditional woven baskets made out of palm fronds and bamboo continue to dominate the handling of tomatoes within most developing countries’ farmers [5] [41]. However, the use of the traditional baskets have cost both the small and large scale farmers at the local markets post-harvest losses ranging between 30% - 50% [42]. The losses result from excessive pressure to the fruits at the lower section resulting from packing [43] [44] [45]. Farmers minimize the physical damages on to the produce through making smooth lining of the basket’s inner lining and lining up faster a cushioning layer of dry grass. However, the grass instead tends to interrupt with air movements hence increasing temperature which severally affects the tomatoes.

Farmers are then recommended to use plastic crates which has holes for proper aeration.3.2. Wooden and Plastic CratesWooden and plastic crates are the other materials dominating packaging and transport amongst farmers in developing countries, because they are cheap in making since they can be constructed from locally available materials [6] [41]. However, tomatoes are often damaged due to the size and inner rough surface of crates and the difficulty in handling [5]. To reduce the damages resulting from the impact in packaging crates during handling and transportation, packaging liners are used to serve as shock/impact absorbers. But, even with shock absorbers, the fruits damaged fruits remain high, ranging from 20% - 50% [46]. The damage can relatively be reduced to below 40% with plastic-lined baskets; however, the cost of buying plastics is high, limiting their use. In Nigeria, a participatory development approach on addressing post-harvest losses along the value chain of tomatoes was conducted in 2018 with local small-scale farmers. At the end of the case study, 89% of participants bought plastic crates to replace traditional baskets for transporting tomatoes after discovering that the latter causes higher losses [47]. In South Africa plastic crates and cartons are adopted for use in open-air markets for marketing tomatoes by small-scale growers and retailers [48].3.3. Plastic FilmsFood packaging for market sales is an important aspect of food distribution. The material type selected to design a package normally determines market value quality of tomato [49]. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), because of their low water permeability properties, are highly preferred plastic films for packaging [11] [23] [50]. In the plastic film application study, fully ripe tomato fruits were stored for 8, 15, and 22 days at temperatures of 20˚C and 95% relative humidity using polyethylene film, perforated polyethylene film, cellophane, and perforated cellophane. The packaging did not affect the color and overall acceptability, however, there was a significant weight loss (>0.1 g/day) for perforated film packaged tomatoes because of the undisturbed evaporation process [51].

The physiological weight loss for non-perforated polyethylene bags was 0.29% at three days and 1.72% at 6 days of storage. After the storage period, 24.57% of the perforated polythene bags experienced physiological weight loss. Non-perforated polyethylene had a 60% decay loss of tomato fruits higher than the perforated ones after the storage period.Plastic films are used in the Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) process. MAP is technique using the predetermined composition of respiratory gases (oxygen (O2) and carbon dioxide (CO2)) gases appropriate to preserve the produce for a specified period of time [52]. MAP packaging materials primarily function to create a permeation barrier for the gases until a stable equilibrium is reached between the external gases and those inside the package [53]. The MAP packaging materials commonly used include; polyethylene terephthalate (PET), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene, polystyrene [54] [55], and some chemically modified derivatives.[56] compared different plastic packaging materials for their effects on the quality attributes of tomatoes during cold storage and after a shelf life period. Perforated (0.4%) low-density polyethylene (LDPE), sealed low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and sealed stretch bags were used for storing tomatoes for five weeks at 10˚C ± 1˚C and 90% - 95% relative humidity. During both cold storage and shelf-life periods, all the packaging materials performed better in preserving the fruit’s firmness and vitamin C. However, fruit weight losses, fruits decay, Total Soluble Solids (TSS), and lycopene during both storage periods were significantly affected.Tomatoes are pretreated with chemicals for preventing deterioration during transportation and storage periods. [57] used 70% ethanol and 0.2% benomyl for pretreating tomatoes before packaging in low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and raffia palm basket stored at 27˚C - 32˚C for up to 16 days. Benomyl-treated fruits in low-density polyethylene retained the highest total soluble solids (TSS) compared to other treatments.

Fruits treated with benomyl had the lowest microbial load, however, fruit spoilage increased with storage time for all treatments. Hot water when used as a pretreatment helped in maintaining color, firmness, total soluble solids and beta-carotene [58].3.4. Edible Coatings and FilmsEdible films and coatings are thin layers of material with thickness generally less than 0.3 mm casted on food products to substitute or/and fortify the food’s outer layer for which can be eaten as a part of the product [59]. They are applied to foods either by first producing them separately and utilized as a wrap or immersion of the food product in to the suspension or spraying/drenching (coating) of the suspension to the food produce [60] [61]. Edible films and coatings serve as a diffusion barrier which selectively allows exchange of moisture, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and ethylene. The two terms are used synonymously, however, a coating is applied in a liquid form, usually by dipping the product in solution of the edible material, while the film is pre-manufactured before application [52] [59].Way back in the 12th centuries, Chinese applied wax applied on oranges and lemons as edible films and coating for preservation of moisture and aesthetics during transportation [59]. The Japanese boiled and air-dried soymilk protein to produce “Yuba” film as their first edible film during the 15th century. Fats were used in prevent loss of moisture from meat in the process called “larding” during 16th century, in the United Kingdom [62]. The increasing cost and competition for petroleum, the structural materials of the synthetic packaging materials has promoted the utilization of the cheaply available materials [63].

The increasing demands for fresh and fresh foods also attract the promotion of investing in biodegradable packages.Since the advent of edible films and coatings, several studies have been carried out. [64] evaluated the quality attributes of cherry tomatoes packaged with edible films produced from varying ratios of yam starch and glycerol. The sanitized cleaned tomatoes were immersed in suspensions of yam starch and glycerol and kept in a controlled environment of 25˚C and 70% relative humidity, for 18 days. A composite coating of 7.5% yam starch and 30% glycerol proportions retained higher stability for the loss in mass, antioxidant activity, and lycopene content relative to the freshly harvested fruit. Chitosan films were used by [65] to study the storage behaviors of tomatoes. Respiration studies showed that 1% of chitosan treatments created a more balanced environment in terms of respiratory gases, CO2 and O2. Corn-zein film coatings are also other protein-based edible packaging film. Corn-zein coatings with 5 and 15 μm thickness delayed the ripening of tomatoes by 6-days without adverse effects and the 66 μm coating distinctly delayed color development and due to anaerobic fermentation, there was high weight loss [66]. A composite edible coating consisting of Soy Protein Isolate (90% protein), Glycerol (plasticizer) and Carboxymethyl Cellulose, Oleic Acid, Sodium Benzoate and Ascorbic Acid resulted in to a significant effect on titratable acidity, vitamin C content, TSS and total and reducing sugars after the storage of nine days, except the pH for coated samples as compared to the control sample after nine days of storage [67].3.5.

Papaya as a Packaging MaterialBiodegradable/edible coatings and films are categorized according to their structural building material. Proteins, lipids, and polysaccharides are the major structural components however, due to natural abundance and low toxicity, polysaccharides are the highly utilized [52] [68] [69]. Starch, cellulose, pectin, chitosan, alginate, agar, and carrageenan are the main polysaccharide materials utilized in edible packaging materials [15] [70] [71] [72]. Research is currently concentrated on developing composite or multicomponent films and coatings to help improve the functional characteristics of individual components contributing to the composite product [14] [73] [74].Papaya is among the widely grown fruit in Uganda. In 2017, the fruit contribution to exports in terms of mass was about 5200 tones [75]. It was observed that, the fruit experiences about 75% losses after harvesting [76], however, the waste can be utilized [77] [78]. Papaya consists of various biopolymer components which can be used to develop composite films and coatings. Cellulose is a linear, high molecular weight polymer and a biodegradable material can be extracted from papaya peels for making edible packages [79]. It has strong inter and intra molecular hydrogen bonds rendering it high strength making them hard to melt and dissolving in common solvents [80]. Therefore, utilizing cellulose in food applications, it is converted first into its derivatives. Carboxymethyl cellulose, the most common derivative is a linear, long-chain, water-soluble, anionic polysaccharide [81]. When purified, it has a white to cream color, tasteless, odorless, and free flowing. It is reported to be applied in biodegradable films [82] [83].Papaya is also a potential source of pectin, another material used in the manufacture of edible films [84].

Pectin is a gelatin-like polymer with high molecular weight found in the middle lamella of plant cells, contributing to their structure [21] [85]. Pectin extracted from papaya puree blended with gelatin, and defatted soy protein produced packaging films/coatings which exhibited good mechanical, barrier, and optical properties [14]. Biodegradable films based on gelatin and papaya peel showed high antioxidant activity which is a key attribute for packaging [16].Papaya exhibits excellent packaging attributes compared to other fruit packaging materials. Papaya has high tensile strength ranging between 20 - 30 MPa when hydroxypropyl methylcellulose is used as a binding agent [21]. Apple follows with 9 - 20 MPa using carboxymethylcellulos, gellatin, methylcellulose and poly lactic acid as binding agents [86]. Also, tomato packaging materials with high methoxyl pectin binding agent exhibit 8.9 - 14.8 MPa of tensile strength [87]. In terms of water vapour permeability, papaya has low values (2.15 - 3.16 m2/h/kPa) [21]. However, they are improved (5.55 - 8.45 m2/h/kPa) when blended with starch, soya proteins and gellatin [14]. Compared with others, apples have good water vapour permeability (5.84 - 13.57 m2/h/kPa) [88] [89]. Papaya puree films have low oxygen permeability (7.5 cm3 μm/m2/d/kPa) [14] compared to apple puree films (83.6 cm3 μm/m2/d/kPa) [87]. However, all these values are remarkably smaller than conventional films from HDPE (427 cm3 μm/m2/d/kPa) and LDPE (1870 cm3 μm/m2/d/kPa)—measured at 23˚C and 50% RH [88].Papaya also has a wide range of medicinal and nutritional properties [90]. Cancer cells are significantly reduced when pectin collected at different stages of papaya ripening are applied [78]. Therefore, incorporating papaya in the composite biodegradable edible composite packaging films and coatings is a great prospect both to the environment and human life.4. ConclusionThis study reviewed the different means for packaging tomatoes and the prospects of using papaya-based materials. Synthetics have been used to produce tomato packaging materials; however, due to environmental and health concerns they need a substitute. Biodegradable edible packaging films and coatings have the potential for replacing conventional synthetic materials. However, using single structural components for developing these materials results in some properties not appropriate. Therefore, the use of different sources of structural material to form composite films and coating is needed. Papaya has good potential if blended with other biopolymers to edible films and coatings. Papaya has both high percentages of pectin and cellulose which are the major building materials for biodegradable packaging materials.


MIGROS GOES NATURAL WITH EXCELLENT TOP™ KRAFT FOR TOMATO PACKAGING
12.11.2019 - VIRGIN FIBRE CARTONBOARD, SUSTAINABILITY, CUSTOMER STORIES

The world's most sustainable retailer Migros from Switzerland counts on cartonboard packaging for fruits and vegetables.

Migros committed to sustainability
Sustainability is for Migros lived reality: In 2018, an independent ratings agency analysed the social and environmental commitment of the Migros Group in detail. Of 151 retail companies assessed worldwide, Migros achieved the best result throughout the industry. This made it the world's most sustainable retailer in the reporting year. As part of its "Generation M" sustainability initiative, Migros has been working intensively on the subject of packaging.
For their cherry tomato packaging, they have chosen our virgin fibre Kraft cartonboard Excellent Top™ Kraft.


Excellent Top™ Kraft for a successful balance of high-class presentation, sustainability and product protection
The new packaging for cherry tomatoes ensures a strong brand image, excellent product protection and stands out in the fresh produce department: The clever packaging design, a miniature version of a fruit and vegetable tray, conveys perfectly the freshness and character of the packaged products.

The premium appearance of the cherry tomatoes is achieved by the premium cartonboard quality Excellent Top™ Kraft and – compared to standard tomato trays – the high-quality printing: The outstanding white cartonboard surface offers a good contrast to the tomatoes, while the brown reverse side takes up the sustainability idea. Excellent Top™ Kraft ensures maximum stability, tear resistance and safety, thus providing a successful balance between sustainability and product protection.


Migros´ new packaging for cherry tomatoes is made from Excellent Top™ Kraft and perfectly stages the content.


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