Conditioned packaging for shellfish or crustaceans

Abstract: A packaging for shellfish, such as mussels, or crustaceans, comprises a closed container in which there is situated a quantity of living shellfish or crustaceans, optionally water originating from the shellfish or crustaceans, as well as a protective gas atmosphere. Subatmospheric pressure may prevail in the container. Furthermore, the sum of the quantities of O 2 and CO 2 may amount to 50% to 90% of the total gas content of the container, and the quantity of O 2 may amount to 25% to 50% of the total gas content of the container.

Description: The invention relates to the field of packaging shellfish or crustaceans, in particular, though not exclusively, mussels. Various possibilities already exist for packaging shellfish or crustaceans, and these can be divided into two main categories. In a first category, the shellfish or crustaceans are packaged fresh and alive, i.e. uncooked. In this case, the consumer has to remove the shellfish from the container during preparation and then cook them. In a second category, the shellfish are precooked, so that the consumer merely has to heat the shellfish briefly prior to consumption. An example of the latter category which may be mentioned is the packaging method which is known from EP-B-242,183 and FR-A-2,613,588. The invention relates to a packaging belonging to the first category, i.e. packaging in which the shellfish or crustaceans are packaged fresh and alive, without being precooked. This category also included various possibilities. Firstly, containers which are not closed, so-called "leaking" packages, can be used. Water from the shellfish or crustaceans can escape via the holes in the container, with the drawback that weight loss occurs and moreover the container becomes contaminated and does not smell fresh. According to a second possibility, closed packagings can be used, such as for example those which are known from NL-A-9400391. A drawback of this option is that the containers take up a relatively large amount of space, up to double the volume of the packaged shellfish or crustaceans. Moreover, a relatively large quantity of material is used for containers of this nature, which represents a burden on the environment. Moreover, the packaging may be relatively heavy owing to water which is contained therein. JP-A-07184511 discloses a packaging for shellfish, such as mussels, or crustaceans, comprising a closed container in which there is a quantity of living shellfish or crustaceans, optionally water originating from the shellfish or crustaceans, as well as a protective gas atmosphere containing O 2 and CO 2 . However, no reference is made to edible shellfish. The object of the invention is to provide a packaging of the second category mentioned above, i.e. for fresh, uncooked, living shellfish or crustaceans which does not have these drawbacks. This object is achieved in that the sum of the quantities of O 2 and CO 2 amounts to 50% to 90% of the total gas content of the container. Since the packaging is closed, water is unable to leak out, with the result that the packaging remains clean on the outside. On the other hand, the freshness of the shellfish or crustaceans can be preserved, owing to the protective gas atmosphere which is introduced, including additional O 2 and CO 2 . The addition of this gas atmosphere is of benefit to the taste and shelf life, even to such an extent that there is no longer any need to carry out subsequent inspection of the shellfish or crustaceans. During preparation, it is merely necessary to wash the shellfish, such as mussels, after which they can be cooked immediately. Moreover, the gas mixture has a preserving effect, so that the growth of bacteria is inhibited. Subatmospheric pressure may prevail in the container. The quantity of O 2 may preferably amount to 25% to 50% of the total gas content of the container. The container is preferably a bag made of flexible material which is gas-tight and liquid-tight. The packaging containing shellfish can be heated, for example, by means of a microwave oven. Reference is made to a packaging for fish products as is known from Japanese patent application JP-A-58129930. This packaging has a container made of flexible material in which there is a quantity of O 2 and CO 2 . However, the fish products must also be injected with an aqueous alkaline solution having a pH of 7-12. This packaging is unsuitable for shellfish or crustaceans, in view of the need to inject the fish products. Reference is made to the article "Aspectos sobre refrigeración y conservación de pescados envasados en atmósferas modificadas para su venta detallista", ALIMENTACION, EQUIPOS Y TECNOLOGICA, Vol. 12, january-february 1993, A.M. RAMA, pp. 101-104 (vide also DATABASE FSTA, INTERNATIONAL FOOD INFORMATION SERVICE (IFIS), FRANKFURT/MAIN, DE: "Refrigeration and preservation of fish packaged under modified atmosphere for retail sale", XP002072585). This article discloses the packaging in modified atmospheres of fish and crustaceans. The fish products in question are dead, and comprise i.a. fillets. The packaging contains a gas environment with O 2 and CO 2 , aimed at inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, principally bacteria, and melanosis. JP-A-60024168 discloses a vacuum packaging comprising a number of living bivalves packed with seawater and oxygen. The bivalves are held in their natural environment formed by the seawater. The weight of this packaging is relatively high as a result of the inclusion of the seawater therein. EP-A-720954 discloses a packaging in the form of an airtight container comprising shellfish. The interior of the container can become superatmospheric. Moreover, sufficient oxygen should be present in the container in order to have the animals function aerobically. It is not envisaged to include additional O 2 and CO 2 in this packaging. JP-A-07184511 discloses a vinyl bag with living fish in an aqueous solution. The packaging is relatively heavy, having regard to the amount of aqueous solution contained therein. JP-A-01291740 discloses a packaging with living bivalves. The packaging is brought at a vacuum of such magnitude that the opening of the bivalves is prevented. There is no reference to the inclusion of additional O 2 and CO 2 . JP-A-63307080 discloses a packaging for shellfish filled with oxygen gas. No additional CO 2 is included in this packaging.

Claims: Packaging for shellfish, such as mussels, or crustaceans, comprising a closed container in which there is a quantity of living shellfish or crustaceans, optionally water originating from the shellfish or crustaceans, as well as a protective gas atmosphere, containing O 2 and CO 2 , characterised in that the sum of the quantities of O 2 and CO 2 amounts to 50% to 90 % of the total gas content of the container. Packaging according to Claim 1, in which subatmospheric pressure prevails in the container. Packaging according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the quantity of O 2 amounts to 25% to 50% of the total gas content of the container. Packaging according to one of the preceding claims, in which the container is a bag made of flexible material which is gas-tight and liquid-tight.

Inventors: PRINS JACOBUS, PRINS, JACOBUS
Applicants: PACKPAT B V, PACKPAT B.V.
Application year: 1998
Main classification: A23B4
IPC codes: B65D81, B65D85, A23L3, A23B4