Optimizing Active Packaging Systems Utilizing Chlorine Dioxide-Generating Sachets in the Primary Package for Food Application

Chlorine dioxide gas treatment has been proven to increase the shelf life of fresh strawberries. Treatment strategies often involve the addition of a generating sachet into the clamshell packaging. However, gradients exist within the package, resulting in uneven treatment of the contents. Indicators utilizing iodometric chemistry were used to determine the relative distribution of chlorine dioxide within the package. Using a nonreactive substrate (marbles) and a reactive substrate (fresh strawberries), the impacts of package dimensions, substrate size, substrate reactivity, sachet release rate, sachet placement, time, temperature, and humidity on gas distribution were investigated. Models were created to statistically analyze the influence of these packaging considerations on gas distribution. Insights gleaned from these analyses were used to drive the development of a three-dimensional printed widget facilitating improved gas distribution. The prototype system outperformed the traditional treatment strategy, resulting in significantly more oxidizer being detected by the indicator (p < 0.05).