Retorting is a crucial process in food preservation, involving the heat treatment of food within its packaging to achieve commercial sterility and stability at ambient temperatures. This method ensures the safety and longevity of food products before consumption.
Global packaging organisation Tetra Pak, detailed that retorting can be used for a range of packaging can undergo retorting, including carton packages, like tin cans, glass jars, and plastic pouches. This offers a versatile and efficient solution for preserving various types of food. These cartons are filled with unsterile contents and then processed after sealing. A laser perforation feature facilitates easy opening of the package, enhancing user convenience.
Retorting products is not only perceived as more eco-friendly to consumers but far more efficient. According to Tetra Pak, it takes up less space on supermarket shelves (25 to 40 percent) and is significantly lighter to transport. One truckload of Tetra Recart cartons equals approximately nine trucks delivering empty cans or glass jars. Once the packages are filled, a pallet will hold 20 percent more food than a pallet with cans.
Products are packaged in the carton, which is then sealed and undergoes heat treatment in a retort, typically at temperatures around 121.1°C for sterilisation or lower temperatures for pasteurisation, depending on the product's characteristics. The retorting process can vary from 60 to 180 minutes, ensuring safety and quality.
Each food product requires specific temperature and time parameters to maintain optimal quality while achieving the necessary level of sterilisation or pasteurisation. Retorting minimises heat exposure, preserving the product's freshness and taste.
A wide range of food products, including tomato, beans, soups, ready meals, and pet food, can be retorted in carton packages, provided they can withstand heat treatment without compromising taste or texture. However, alternatives such as aseptic filling offer another method for achieving shelf-stable food, particularly for beverages and dairy products.
Retortable carton packages comprise six layers, including polypropylene, aluminium, and paperboard, contributing to at least 69 percent of the package. This structure ensures the package's integrity during the retort process and meets the demands for extended shelf life.
Specialised equipment, such as steam water spray retorts and carton packages, ensuring uniform heat distribution and integrity. Control of outer overpressure during processing is crucial to prevent package deformation.
The benefits of carton packages for food products include space efficiency on shelves, consumer perception of freshness, lightweight transportation, and user-friendly features such as tear opening and re-closure mechanisms.
Retorting in carton packages offers a reliable method for preserving various food products, ensuring safety and quality throughout the supply chain.
