Features Business Food Safety
Federal government invests in packaging

August 12, 2011, Summerland, BC – The Government of Canada is supporting
research into innovative packaging that will extend the shelf-life of
fresh produce and boost the bottom line for Canadian horticulture
producers.

August 12, 2011, Summerland, BC – The Government of Canada is supporting research into innovative packaging that will extend the shelf-life of fresh produce and boost the bottom line for Canadian horticulture producers.

An investment of more than $261,000 to Innovative Food Systems Corp. was recently announced.

The investment will allow Innovative Food Systems and Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC) researchers to explore new antimicrobial packaging technology that will keep our fruits and vegetables as fresh and tasty as when they were picked.

Research will focus on adapting natural, known antimicrobial compounds into commercial packaging systems that will prevent against fungi, mould and bacteria. The packaging will preserve ripe fruits and vegetables without compromising freshness, quality and safety.

With this new packaging, the quality and distribution of Canadian horticulture products can be extended from one week to more than a month and allows growers to capitalize on global demand for their products.

The benefits have the potential to extend beyond the Canadian agri-food sector and into our manufacturing industry as well, through increased production of the packaging.

“The support provided by AAFC is allowing Innovative Food Systems Corp. to develop this Canadian born produce packaging system to a new level that provides food safety and security,” said Dr. Perry Lidster, president and CEO of Innovative Food Systems Corp. “With this new technology, produce can be protected from many common food pathogens. This is important for fresh produce consumed in the home but also to the institutional food suppliers. This i