On-Line Gas Analyzer Improves Shelf Life For Meat Processing Company

Bye-bye manual testing: Replaced by new on-line gas analyzer. This case study examines how a meat processing company made the switch from manually and randomly testing of its packages five times each day to an on-line headspace analyzer for its Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) products.

KødGrossisten
KødGrossisten is a meat processing company based in the town of Vemmelev in Denmark. The company produces a range of high quality raw cuts and processed products. The Vemmelev plant has a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) line for producing beefburgers and minced beef in thermosealed trays. Around 25 tonnes of product comes off the line each week.

Moving From Manual To On-Line Testing 
A modified atmosphere of carbon dioxide (20%) and oxygen (80%) ensures a prolonged shelf life for the products, while maintaining their attractive appearance. The gases are drawn into the packaging chamber under negative pressure.

Quality assurance is a vital part of KødGrossisten’s operation and ensuring that the correct gas mixture enters each tray is paramount. Until recently the company relied on random testing of packages five times each day using a Dansensor CheckMate 3 headspace analyser.