Modifield atmosphere package for cut of raw meat

A method of creating a modified atmosphere in a package including an inner container and an outer container, said inner container being comprised of a polymeric material substantially permeable to oxygen, said outer container being comprised of a polymeric material substantially impermeable to oxygen, said method comprising the steps of:

• placing a retail cut of raw meat within said inner container;
• sealing said inner container;
• inserting said inner container into said outer container without sealing said outer container, said inner container being removable from at least a portion of said outer container without destroying said inner container and being differently shaped than said outer container;
• substantially removing oxygen from said outer container, without evacuating said outer container, by flushing said outer container with one or more gases;
• sealing said outer container;
• providing an oxygen scavenger in the package external to said inner container to substantially absorb residual oxygen within the package;
• and
• activating said oxygen scavenger with an activating agent.

A method of manufacturing a modified atmosphere package, said method comprising the steps of:

• supplying an inner container comprised of a polymeric material substantially permeable to oxygen;
• placing a retail cut of raw meat within said inner container;
• sealing said inner container;
• supplying an outer container comprised of a polymeric material substantially impermeable to oxygen;
• inserting said inner container into said outer container without sealing said outer container, said inner container being removable from at least a portion of said outer container without destroying said inner container and being differently shaped than said outer container;
• substantially removing oxygen from said outer container, without evacuating said outer container, by flushing said outer container with one or more gases;
• sealing said outer container;
• supplying an oxygen scavenger in the package external to said inner container to absorb residual oxygen within the package;
• and
• activating said oxygen scavenger with an activating agent.

A modified atmosphere packaging system for creating a modified atmosphere in a package including an inner container, an outer container, and an oxygen scavenger, said inner container being comprised of a polymeric material substantially permeable to oxygen, said inner container being configured and sized to fully enclose a retail cut of raw meat, said outer container being comprised of a polymeric material substantially impermeable to oxygen, said oxygen scavenger being activated with an activating agent and positioned external to said inner container to substantially absorb residual oxygen within the package, said system comprising:

• means for sealing said inner container with said retail cut of raw meat enclosed therein;
• means, disposed downstream from said means for sealing said inner container, for inserting said sealed inner container into said outer container without sealing said outer container, said inner container being removable from at least a portion of said outer container without destroying said inner container and being differently shaped than said outer container;
• means, disposed downstream from said means for inserting said sealed inner container, for substantially removing oxygen from said outer container, without evacuating said outer container, by flushing said outer container with one or more gases;
• and
• means, disposed downstream from said means for substantially removing oxygen from said outer container, for sealing said outer container.