ABSTRACT
As discussed in Chapter 16, package requirements for the defined shelf life can be found from the knowledge of primary food quality factors interacting with package and environment (Figure 17.1). The required shelf life may be decided based on previous experience, consumer feedback, marketing, distribution, and so on. Once the required shelf life is determined, one needs to extract primary quality attribute and determine the kinetics of its deterioration. Next, the environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, and time related to the distribution system) must be determined. The effect of environment and packaging on quality change is characterized: interaction among food, packaging, and environment is looked up. The package requirements can then be estimated by applying the kinetics or shelf life model to the expected conditions.
