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Conestoga Applied Research
Conestoga Applied Research
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Shelf-life study for novel produce trays

January 12, 2024
Oranges placed in a reusable produce bag

Tracy Butt and Nicole Detlor, Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab, Dushyant Puri, SMART Centre  

In 2022, the federal government implemented regulations to prohibit the use of single use plastics in certain industries. As a result, an increased demand for alternative packaging for the food industry began. Bio-Origins, located in Cambridge, Ont., provides biodegradable and compostable fresh produce packaging, serving as an alternative to plastic and Styrofoam.  

With the goal of developing new produce trays, Bio-Origins partnered with the Conestoga Food Research & Innovation Lab (CFRIL) and Conestoga's SMART Centre on an eight-month project. During the first phase of the project, the SMART Centre designed lids needed for the containers that would be tested by CFRIL during their shelf-life study. Using designs from Bio-Origins, the SMART Centre created drawings and the subsequent lids using food-grade polymer materials.  

A key component of the shelf-life study was to test the moisture of the packaging. By doing so, the CFRIL team identified the impact of moisture levels on the packaging's shelf-life. Next, CFRIL stored fruit and vegetables in the trays and simulated real grocery store conditions to further test the shelf-life of the packaging. The result of these tests allowed CFRIL to make recommendations to Bio-Origins to aid with the development of a new packaging technology.  Short term, this helps Bio-Origins Increase market share and revenue but longer term, it enables them to utilize new process, reduce the carbon footprint of their customers, and contribute to a more sustainable future.  

We acknowledge the support of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC).

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