Corrugated packaging hygienic transport of fresh produce

For those in the fresh produce sector handling vegetables and fruit items, corrugated packaging is the safest solution because every box, tray and carton is only used once as the virgin packaging before it is recycled. This enables growers, retailers and consumers to have optimum hygiene conditions.

Corrugated packaging is a recognised hygienic solution for fresh produce. The industry continues to improve its standards through accreditation that meets the requirements of the food industry as a whole.

A very high temperature is involved in the manufacturing process of corrugated, which exceeds 100 °C whether using virgin fibre or recycled material. Cross-contamination of one product delivery with another is impossible because each box is used only once.

This aspect of single-use is important: recently, for example, an outbreak of the destructive banana disease Fusarium wilt TR4 has led United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation to urge countries to be vigilant and take measures to prevent further contamination. FAO states “The best way to fight the disease is to prevent its spread, which includes avoiding movement of diseased plant materials and infected soil particles.” FAO specifically advises, “implementation of phytosanitary measures to prevent the spread of the disease through agricultural practices, irrigation and drainage systems, transportation, vehicles, containers, tools or visitors.”

Single-use packaging eliminates the possibility of transfer, via the packaging, of soil particles from one growing area to another.

European Federation of Corrugated Board Manufacturers’ (FEFCO) members are at the heart of a multi-billion Euro state-of-the-art industry that continues to invest in new packaging solutions. Corrugated packaging protects around 75% of European goods in transit. This means it plays a pivotal role by helping sectors like fresh produce deliver goods to market cleanly and safely.

Corrugated packaging can also be adapted to all shapes and sizes, reducing the potential for fruit and vegetable damage or product loss during transportation, warehousing and transfer to shelves. It stops tomatoes from being squashed, safeguards apples from bruising and corrugated boxes have long been used to maintain the integrity of bananas during transport.

Corrugated is the most trusted transport packaging material in Europe and has helped the fresh produce industry to deliver its goods to market safely for over a hundred years. It remains the safe and sustainable packaging solution that it has always been.

For more information:
Nathalie Schneegans
FEFCO
Email: nathalie.schneegans@fefco.org
Tel: +32 2 6500832
www.corrugated-ofcourse.eu