Packaging and Storage Faults
The fault family covering seal and atmosphere failure, purge, condensation, swelling, freezer burn, oxidation and deterioration during packaged storage and distribution.
The product, package material, atmosphere, seal, code, storage temperature and distribution history operate as one preservation system.
Wrinkles, channels, punctures, poor clips and weak seals permit gas or moisture exchange and may expose ready-to-eat product to contamination.
Purge can arise from water-holding, heat, freezing or microbial change, while condensation reflects temperature and vapour conditions. Appearance alone does not identify the cause.
Continued fermentation, spoilage organisms, modified-atmosphere behaviour and seal leakage can change package shape. Venting does not correct the mechanism.
Temperature abuse, freezer burn, repeated freeze-thaw cycles, light and oxygen degrade quality and can defeat the supported shelf life.
Specify material, seal, atmosphere, storage, date marking and inspection. Trend failures and hold lots when integrity or time-temperature history is uncertain.
Related in the Codex
References
- https://www.fda.gov/food/fda-food-code/food-code-2022
- https://www.fsis.usda.gov/guidelines/2023-0002
- https://www.fao.org/fao-who-codexalimentarius/codex-texts/codes-of-practice/en/