The regional exhibition, which ran from October 14 to 16 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, provided a showcase for the latest trends, innovations, products and business opportunities. The packaging, food processing, plastics, packaging consumables, print and labelling industries were on show to local and international visitors, who also used the opportunity to meet with the 158 exhibitors face-to-face.

The 11 Air Products people who were on the Air Products stand report that they were able to maintain contact with existing customers, while fielding enquiries from many potentially new customers.

In terms of the some 5400 visitors, those coming through the doors to the 4000m2 venue were mostly serious show attendees. A spokesman for Specialised Exhibitions, the organisers of the exhibition, explained that with todays tough economic conditions, while visitor show numbers may not be increasing dramatically, those that take the trouble to go to exhibitions, usually have a definite agenda to fulfill.

Air Products is proud to be able to play a part in providing safe and nutritious food to South Africans far and wide. With todays lifestyles, most of us are far removed from the primary producers of food. Packaging plays an essential role in bringing fresh, uncontaminated food and beverages to our tables when we need it. It increases the choices available to us, and allows the consumer to buy food in conveniently usable quantities. On an environmental level, appropriate packaging prevents the wasting of food.

Another important function of packaging is to serve as a marketing tool that will promote and sell products, moving them from shelf to shopping trolley. By sustaining that just packed appearance, Air Products Freshline gases play a key role in the successful sales of a wide variety of foodstuffs.

With its Freshline gases, Air Products is able to make an essential contribution to these important areas in the provision of quality food and beverages to all South Africans.

Modified Atmospheric Packaging (MAP) is revolutionising the packaging and presentation of food. This year, Air Products decided to host its 2008 Freshline Congress in Cape Town on October 13. As the Congress was held at the ultra-prestigious Radisson hotel, Congress delegates were also able to enjoy the pleasant Waterfront experience.

The Congress was a singular success for Air Products. It signalled the companys firm intention to draw closer and bring value to this consumer market sector. The overriding comment from those who attended was about the benefit they had gained. This second Congress built on the success of the first Congress, which was held in Johannesburg at the Kyalami Castle in October 2007.

Suppliers were able to showcase their latest offerings in the field of MAP technology a technology that is advancing at a very rapid rate. And then there were valuable contributions from users of MAP technology. Here we single out the mercurial Graham Pateras of Pick ‘n Pay Durbanville. In a nutshell, while he explained the road to the successful use of MAP was a steep and sometimes bumpy path, the results, once the systems had been sorted out, made the effort eminently worthwhile.

In bringing together 92 key suppliers to, and consumers of, MAP technology, Air Products showed its determination to further the current South African MAP knowledge base. Through the use of MAP packaging in conjunction with Freshline gases, the possibilities both to eliminate wastage of precious foodstuffs and present healthier products is immense.

During Propak Africa 2008, which will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre from the 14-16 October, Air Products, a leading producer of industrial gases and industrial solutions, will be updating delegates from the food, beverage and packaging industry on the latest developments in the world of Freshline and MAP.

The Freshline range of gas products has been specifically formulated for use in the food and beverage industry. The only gas approved and accredited by Coca Cola South Africa, the application of Freshline and MAP has been making a major impact on the food and beverage industry.

Air Products strives to add value to its customers businesses. At Propak 2008, it will be bringing to Cape Town, speakers who are expert in food technology, presentation, and protection.

Anyone who is involved in food and beverage preparation or retailing, or in its packaging is encouraged to attend Air Products Freshline Congress which will be held during Propak. The reason for encouraging attendance is that the application of Air Products Freshline MAP technology can be applied in a number of industry sectors. Freshline MAP gases can be applied to all types of meat, poultry and fish. Also, MAP uses a blend of gases to prevent deterioration of fresh foods such as salads, vegetables, snacks, confectionary and other foodstuffs. Freshline gases also improve the quality and appearance of carbonated drinks and beverages such as beer.

While Freshline is relatively new to South Africa, it is, however, well established in Europe, where MAP is widely used.

Product outline and specification:

Red Meat

The colour of red meat comes from a pigment called myoglobin, which on exposure to oxygen turns bright red (oxymyoglobin). To the consumer, the brightness of the colour indicates freshness and quality. If the meat is starved of oxygen, the pigment turns brown (metamyoglobin), making it unattractive to the consumer and less likely to sell. The colour can be protected by packing meat in high concentrations of oxygen with a balance of carbon dioxide to inhibit microbial spoilage. In this way, shelf life extensions of 6-8 days can be achieved. Packaging in a high oxygen environment is particularly important for very red meats such as venison and beef due to the colour intensity.

Other meats, which benefit from Freshline oxygen-rich modified atmospheres, include lamb, rabbit, veal, goat, hare, horse and also offal (e.g. liver, kidneys and heart).

Raw Fish Seafood

Fish is the most perishable of foodstuffs and one in which consumers are most sensitive to potential spoilage. When MAP is used in conjunction with careful temperature control, shelf life can be extended almost threefold. In a marketplace in which the consumer values chilled over frozen fish, MAP produces significant benefits to both the retailer and the customer resulting in a product which looks good, smells good and tastes good far longer.

Vegetables Salads

Vegetables and Salads begin to show signs of deterioration long before most other foods and are thus prime candidates for the use of MAP gases. These food types present a unique challenge to MAP, since it continues to respire after packing, resulting in a shelf life that is inversely proportional to the respiration rate. Principle spoilage mechanisms result from microbial growth, enzymic browning and moisture loss.

It is recommended that high quality fruit and vegetables are used and washed in advance with chilled, chlorinated water. It then has to be rinsed and de-watered. In conjunction with MAP, the shelf life of some fresh produce can be extended.

Snack Foods Dried Produce

To succeed in todays competitive and quality conscious marketplace, many snack food and dried food producers are also turning to MAP. Freshline Nitrogen is ideal for packaging snack foods and coffee and offers cost saving by:

• Extending the shelf life by up to two years
• Reduced retail wastage and product returns
• Retention of product quality, flavour, aroma, colour and texture
• Inhibition of rancid flavour development and reduced risk of oxidation
• Increased product protection during distribution and handling
• Increased distribution area

Cheese

For the past 6000 years, cheeses have formed a staple part of our diet. The application of MAP technology has lead to a dramatic increase in the shelf life of many cheeses from soft gouda to grated cheddar, providing benefits that are real and cost effective.

Freshline Solutions

Air Products supplies hand-holding expertise and guidance, to assist with ensuring the exact combinations of mixed gases for every MAP application. Combine that with traceability, safety and assured quality, Freshline
is sure to supply the perfect mixture for the perfect product every time.

For more information, please join us at Propak. Otherwise, feel free to contact Air Products South Africa on +27 (11) 977 6400.

14 16 October 2008
Opening times: 09h00 – 17h00
Cape Town International Convention Centre, Cape Town
http://www.specialised.com/exhibits/propakcape/introduction.htm

Air Products Freshline Congress

13th October 2008
Radison Hotel, Cape Town
For more information contact
Gillian Taylor
011 570 5156 or email taylorg@apsap.co.za

For a number of years now, Air Products has been participating in this Expo on partnership basis with one of its distributors in the Region. 2008 saw Air Products going on its own, to raise the profile of its brand. As the Eastern Cape is known to be the home of the automotive industry, Air Products focused the design of the stand to show its capabilities and offerings for the automotive industry and other industries which are present in the region. Air Products welding gas amongst other products were on display at the Show.

The impressive stand which was right at the entrance attracted many potential customers of which two laser customers are added on the Air Products stable from the show. Around 3500 people visited the event and were very impressed with Air Products stand and the amount of information the representatives offered.