Sure, Retorting will give you the long shelf life. But the product properties mentioned above, are heavily impacted.
Cook & Chill methods retain the aesthetic and nutritional properties, but they require the use of MAP or other preservatives. And even then the shelf-life is limited.
As a food production professional, you’re tasked with overcoming these hurdles without compromising product quality. Not an easy task.
Here’s how Micvac’s innovative technology can help you achieve that balance.
Our Microwave Tunnel and the seamless integration of Micvac FlexTray®, Sealing Film, and Micvac FlexValve® deliver a robust solution tailored to enhance shelf life while maintaining the integrity of your product.
When sealed trays, often filled with fresh or raw ingredients, pass through the Micvac Microwave Tunnel, they are heated to 98 degrees Celsius for two minutes. This specific temperature and time combination is crucial for controlling the risk of Clostridium Botulinum, ensuring safety without overcooking the meal, which often leads to loss of nutrients and poor texture.
Micvac FlexTray® is engineered to withstand this rapid yet gentle pasteurization process. It’s not just about durability; the tray’s design also facilitates the cooling process. As the vacuum is generated post-pasteurization, the tray base subtly becomes concave, aiding in a quicker and more uniform cooling process. This not only speeds up production lines but also contributes significantly to extending the shelf life by minimizing the time the product is in the temperature danger zone.
The sealing film applied just before the packages enter the Micvac Tunnel is pivotal. This component turns the package into a mini pressure cooker, locking in flavors and nutrients effectively. Following the heating phase, the Micvac FlexValve® is immediately applied. A slight blast of cool air triggers a change in pressure, converting the steam inside to vapor, which in turn pulls a natural vacuum. This vacuum sealing is what truly locks in the freshness, securing both the sensory and nutritional quality of the meals.
Choosing Micvac means opting for a solution meticulously designed to optimize the production of chilled ready meals. It means not only extending the shelf life of your products to over 45+ days but doing so without the compromises typically seen with other methods like retorting or simple cook-and-chill processes.
With Micvac, the color, texture, taste, and nutritional content of the food are preserved, making it as appealing on day 45 as it was on day one.
Embracing Micvac’s technology allows your production line to be more efficient, your products to meet stringent quality standards, and your brand to promise and deliver freshness over an extended period. This is not just about keeping food safe and fresh; it’s about delivering a product that meets the high expectations of today’s consumer, who demands quality, convenience, and sustainability. With Micvac, achieve all these without the need for additional preservatives or complicated procedures that could compromise the eating experience.
For every R&D, Product, or FSQ Manager striving to innovate within the food production space, Micvac provides a proven pathway to not just meet but exceed industry challenges. This is how we ensure your ready meals are not just preserved, but truly preserved well.