Packaging of Banana

Introduction

Packaging of Banana

• India is the largest producer bananas in the world

• Such a high production would have significance only if bananas

reach the consumer in fresh and palatable condition at a reasonable

price.

• Huge post-harvest losses in banana occur in the period between

harvesting and consumption.

• Due to post harvest losses, there is a considerable gap between

production and availability of bananas to consumers.

• Thus, there is an urgent need to adopt proper post harvest

management practices by adopting improved packaging, handling

and efficient transportation methods to reduce such losses.

Introduction cont…..

• Packaging is required to keep fruits, vegetables and root crops

in good condition until these are sold and consumed.

• Packaging serves as an efficient handling unit to carry produce

from field to consumer.

• The package should also protect the produce against rotting.

• Packages must also protect the produce against possible

damage.

Packaging of Banana

Definition of Food Packaging

Food packaging is defined as a mean or system by which a fresh

produce or processed product will reach from the production

centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an

affordable price.

Packaging of Banana

Functions of Packaging Material

Two main functions of packaging are:

1. To assemble the produce into convenient units for

handling.

2. To protect the produce during distribution, storage and

marketing.

Packaging of Banana

• As an efficient handling unit

• Protects the produce from mechanical damage

• Protects the produce from moisture loss

• Provides clean and sanitary storage

• Prevents pilferage

• Provides sales and service motivation

• Reduces cost of transport and marketing

Packaging material serves the following purposes

Packaging of Banana

Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce

1. Basket made of woven strips of leaves, bamboo, plastic etc.

2. Sacks: flexible, made of plastic or jute.

i) Bags: small size sacks

ii) Nets: sacks made of open mesh

3. Wooden crates

4. Fibreboard boxes

i) Solid fibreboard boxes

ii) Corrugated fibreboard boxes

5. Plastic crates

6. Biodegradable plastics

7. New innovations in packaging of fruits, vegetables and root crops

8. Pallet boxes and shipping containers

Packaging of Banana

Packaging Materials for Processed Products

Packaging for processed products is of following types:

1. Glass containers

2. Metal cans

3. Aluminium foil

4. Plastic materials

5. Collapsible containers

6. Composite containers

Packaging of Banana

Cushioning Materials and Wrap

• Dry grass, paddy straw, leaves, saw dust, paper shreds etc. can

be used as cushioning material for packaging fruits and vegetables

ar

• It should dissipate the heat of respiration of the produce.

• It should be free from infection and should be physiologically

inactive.

• Moulded pulp tray, honeycomb portion, cell pack are used

replacing the cushioning material.

• Cassia leaves are most effective in reducing physiological loss in

weight (PLW), spoilage, retaining fruit colour and chemical quality.

Packaging of Banana

Cushioning Materials and Wrap

• Shrink-wrapping of individual produce

items is a new and very useful

technique.

• Shrink-wrapping with an engineered

plastic wrap can reduce

• shrinkage,

• protect the produce from disease,

• reduce mechanical damage and

• provide a good surface for stick-on

labels.

Packaging of Banana

Points to be kept in mind while packing

• Containers should not be filled either too loosely or too tightly for

best results.

• Loose products may vibrate against each other and cause bruising

• While over-packing results in compression bruising.

• Proper filling along with cushioning can minimize rubbing damage.

Packaging of Banana

Packaging of Banana

• Conventionally bananas are transported as whole bunches

wrapped with banana leaves.

• Use of polyethylene film bags for wrapping whole bunches for

transport is the most suitable package to reduce wastage.

• For export purpose, bananas are packed in telescopic type

corrugated fibre board boxes of different dimensions with good

ventilated holes.

• The banana hands should be packed in the boxes in the

lengthwise manner with their cushion resting on the bottom of

the box and fruit finger tips pointing towards the lid.

• Stacking of such boxes should be done lengthwise.

Packaging of Banana

Banana Transport as Bulk & Loose Packaged

Packaging of Banana

Banana Transport in Carton

Banana carton from Ecuador: note the perforated polyethylene film.

Banana cartons from the Dominican Republic

Source: www.tis-gdv.de

Packaging of Banana

Banana hands in plastic crate Bananas in the basket

Packaging of Banana

Banana Transport in Carton

Banana in Fibre Board Boxes for Ripening

Packaging of Banana

• Food packaging is a system by which the fresh or processed

produce will reach from the production centre to the ultimate

consumer in a safe and sound condition at an affordable cost.

• It serves two basic objectives, i.e., marketing and logistics.

• Adopting improved packaging, handling and transportation methods

during distribution and marketing can successfully reduce huge

post harvest losses.

• However, the product requirements, the marketing system and the

personnel preference will determine the type of packaging to be

used for a particular fruit.

Let Us Sum Up

Packaging of Banana