ABSTRACT
There is a continuous search for improved methods of transporting food from producers to consumers. It has long been known (see Section 16.1.2) that the preservative effect of chilling can be greatly enhanced when it is combined with control or modication of the gas atmosphere during storage. Such methods have been used commercially for over 100 years for the bulk storage and transport of fresh meat and fruits and are referred to as controlled atmosphere storage (CAS). Since the 1970s and the widespread availability of polymeric packages, this approach has been applied to consumer packs and given the name modiŒed atmosphere packaging (MAP) because the atmosphere surrounding the food is modied but not controlled.
