Cost has been the greatest obstacle for Landec Corp.'s IntelliPac packaging system in cracking the modified atmosphere packaging arena, and a successful program featuring iceless broccoli crowns with a 21-day shelf life for the Japanese market appears to have solved it.
The firm's Apio Inc. processing subsidiary began testing the iceless shipping system in April. Apio CEO Nick Tompkins recently pronounced the trans-Pacific program a success, noting the 33 percent reduction in freight expense and the elimination of waxed cartons more than offset the membrane's cost. Apio's shipping system also reduces contamination potential and eliminates the need for re-icing broccoli in coolers in Japan, resulting in additional savings of up to $3 per carton.