Packaging method for fruits and vegetables

Method for packaging fruits and/or vegetables comprising the following steps:

• a) providing a sealable thermoplastic film comprising:
• i. a first outer layer comprising between 40 and 60 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene, between 15 and 35 wt % of a medium density polyethylene, and between 15 wt % and 35 wt % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, all wt % being based on the weight of the first outer layer;
• ii. a second outer layer comprising between 40 and 60 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene, between 15 and 35 wt % of a medium density polyethylene, and between 15 wt % and 35 wt % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, all wt % being based on the weight of the second outer layer;
• and
• iii. an inner layer comprising between 80 and 97 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene and between 1 and 20 wt % of a low density polyethylene, wherein the total amount of polyethylene in the inner layer is at least 90 wt %, all wt % being based on the weight of the inner layer;
• the thermoplastic film having:
• an oxygen transmission rate between 8000 and 14000 cc/sqm·day·atm, measured according to ASTM D-3985 at 23° C. and 0% in-0% out relative humidity,
• a CO2 transmission rate between 25000 to 41000 cc/sqm·day·atm, measured according to ASTM F-2476, at 23° C. and 0% in-0% out relative humidity,
• a water vapour transmission rate between 8 and 35 g/sqm·day·atm, measured according to ASTM D1249 at 38° C. and 98% in-0% out relative humidity, and
• a transmittance of less than 70% of light at wavelengths from the entirety of 200 to 400 nm, measured with the method as follows:
• 3 cm×1.7 cm pieces of film cut from portions of the film along a transverse direction are put into sample holders of a spectrophotometer equipped with a light source deuterium lamp (190-350 nm) and a halogen lamp (330-900 nm)
• the spectrophotometer set to have a light wavelength range being 200-850 nm, under the following conditions:
• resolution of 0.5 nm
• response:
• medium
• scanning speed:
• 100 nm/min
• baseline flatness ±0.004 Abs
• band width:
• 2 nm
• photometric mode:
• absorbance
• the instrument measured absorbance is converted by an integrated software into % transmittance,
• b) running the film through a former thus forming a tube,
• c) inserting one or more fruits and/or vegetables into the tube,
• d) sealing the tube longitudinally forming a package,
• e) sealing and cutting the tube transversally at the beginning and at the end of the package.

A package comprising a sealable thermoplastic film comprising:

• a) a first outer layer comprising between 40 and 60 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene, between 15 and 35 wt % of a medium density polyethylene, and between 15 wt % and 35 wt % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, all wt % being based on the weight of the first outer layer;
• b) a second outer layer comprising between 40 and 60 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene, between 15 and 35 wt % of a medium density polyethylene, and between 15 wt % and 35 wt % of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, all wt % being based on the weight of the second outer layer;
• and
• c) an inner layer comprising between 80 and 97 wt % of a linear low density polyethylene and between 1 and 20 wt % of a low density polyethylene, wherein the total amount of polyethylene in the inner layer is at least 90 wt %, all wt % being based on the weight of the inner layer;
• the thermoplastic film having:
• an oxygen transmission rate between 8000 and 14000 cc/sqm·day·atm, measured according to ASTM D-3985 at 23° C. and 0% in-0% out relative humidity,
• a CO2 transmission rate between 25000 to 41000 cc/sqm·day·atm, measured according to ASTM F-2476, at 23° C. and 0% in-0% out relative humidity,
• a water vapour transmission rate between 8 and 35 g/sqm·day·atm, measured according to ASTM D1249 at 38° C. and 98% in-0% out relative humidity, and
• a transmittance of less than 70% of light at wavelengths from the entirety of 200 to 400 nm, measured with the method as follows:
• 3 cm×1.7 cm pieces of film cut from portions of the film along a transverse direction are put into sample holders of a spectrophotometer equipped with a light source deuterium lamp (190-350 nm) and a halogen lamp (330-900 nm)
• the spectrophotometer set to have a light wavelength range being 200-850 nm, under the following conditions:
• resolution of 0.5 nm
• response:
• medium
• scanning speed:
• 100 nm/min
• baseline flatness ±0.004 Abs
• band width:
• 2 nm
• photometric mode:
• absorbance
• the instrument measured absorbance is converted by an integrated software into % transmittance,
• and one or more fruits and/or vegetables packaged in said package.