WHAT IS MAP?
Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP), normally combined with a reduced temperature, is a
technique that consists of packaging food in an environment where the composition of the
present gases in the atmosphere has been modified, allowing, among other advantages, to
lengthen the shelf life of food.
When a fruit or vegetable is harvested or an animal is slaughtered, the product remains in a
state favorable for bacterias to continue feeding on available nutrients, fats, proteins, and
carbohydrates.
Microbial growth spoils food, with effects such as undesired color changes, loss of flavor, and
texture degradation. The action of enzymes also damages food. In Europe, MAP involves,
mainly, the use of three gases: carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and oxygen, which are present in
the atmosphere. Food is packaged using a single gas or a combination of these three gases,
depending on the chemical and physical properties of the food.
Why use MAP?
• Increase the time of conservation.
• Minimize products loss.
• Quality
• Increases possibilities for distribution.
• Reduction of using artificial preservatives.
Increase the time of conservation. According to the product, the conservation time may be
extended between 50 and 500% using the MAP technique.
Minimize products loss. Having a long time of conservation, allows stores to make orders
efficiently reducing returns.
Quality. MAP technique allows food to spoil at a slower pace from the beginning of the
process up to the store, afterward to the kitchen refrigerator, or freezer. This supposes
significant advantages for traders as well for the consumer, from a quality point of view.
Increases possibilities for distribution. Due to the extension of the shelf life of the products,
the possibilities for improvement in terms of distribution are enormous, in these cases, the
introduction of MAP is much more than "another advantage". In companies having adequate
products, the opportunity of increasing the delivery distance may produce very important
changes, leading to open doors to a global market.
Reduction of using artificial preservatives. In a world that pursues to be more sustainable and
where consumers are interested in buying healthy products, the trader may differentiate by
avoiding unnecessary additives and demonstrating that the food sold is essentially fresh and
natural.