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