1. Packaging of Banana

2. Packaging of Banana Introduction
India is the largest producer bananas in the world
Such a high production would have significance only if bananas reach the consumer in fresh and palatable condition at a reasonable price.
Huge post-harvest losses in banana occur in the period between harvesting and consumption.
Due to post harvest losses, there is a considerable gap between production and availability of bananas to consumers.
Thus, there is an urgent need to adopt proper post harvest management practices by adopting improved packaging, handling and efficient transportation methods to reduce such losses.

3. Packaging of Banana Introduction cont…..
Packaging is required to keep fruits, vegetables and root crops in good condition until these are sold and consumed.
Packaging serves as an efficient handling unit to carry produce from field to consumer.
The package should also protect the produce against rotting.
Packages must also protect the produce against possible damage.

4. Packaging of Banana Definition of Food Packaging
Food packaging is defined as a mean or system by which a fresh produce or processed product will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in safe and sound condition at an affordable price.

5. Packaging of Banana Functions of Packaging Material
Two main functions of packaging are:
To assemble the produce into convenient units for handling.
To protect the produce during distribution, storage and marketing.

6. Packaging of Banana Packaging material serves the following purposes
As an efficient handling unit
Protects the produce from mechanical damage
Protects the produce from moisture loss
Provides clean and sanitary storage
Prevents pilferage
Provides sales and service motivation
Reduces cost of transport and marketing

7. Packaging of Banana Packaging Materials for Fresh Produce
1. Basket made of woven strips of leaves, bamboo, plastic etc.
2. Sacks: flexible, made of plastic or jute.
i) Bags: small size sacks
ii) Nets: sacks made of open mesh
3. Wooden crates
4. Fibreboard boxes
i) Solid fibreboard boxes
ii) Corrugated fibreboard boxes
5. Plastic crates
6. Biodegradable plastics
7. New innovations in packaging of fruits, vegetables and root crops
8. Pallet boxes and shipping containers

8. Packaging of Banana Packaging Materials for Processed Products
Packaging for processed products is of following types:
1. Glass containers
2. Metal cans
3. Aluminium foil
4. Plastic materials
5. Collapsible containers
6. Composite containers

9. Packaging of Banana Cushioning Materials and Wrap
Dry grass, paddy straw, leaves, saw dust, paper shreds etc. can be used as cushioning material for packaging fruits and vegetables ar
It should dissipate the heat of respiration of the produce.
It should be free from infection and should be physiologically inactive.
Moulded pulp tray, honeycomb portion, cell pack are used replacing the cushioning material.
Cassia leaves are most effective in reducing physiological loss in weight (PLW), spoilage, retaining fruit colour and chemical quality.

10. Packaging of Banana Cushioning Materials and Wrap
Shrink-wrapping of individual produce items is a new and very useful technique.
Shrink-wrapping with an engineered plastic wrap can reduce
shrinkage,
protect the produce from disease,
reduce mechanical damage and
provide a good surface for stick-on labels.

11. Packaging of Banana Points to be kept in mind while packing
Containers should not be filled either too loosely or too tightly for best results.
Loose products may vibrate against each other and cause bruising
While over-packing results in compression bruising.
Proper filling along with cushioning can minimize rubbing damage.

12. Packaging of Banana Packaging of Banana
Conventionally bananas are transported as whole bunches wrapped with banana leaves.
Use of polyethylene film bags for wrapping whole bunches for transport is the most suitable package to reduce wastage.
For export purpose, bananas are packed in telescopic type corrugated fibre board boxes of different dimensions with good ventilated holes.
The banana hands should be packed in the boxes in the lengthwise manner with their cushion resting on the bottom of the box and fruit finger tips pointing towards the lid.
Stacking of such boxes should be done lengthwise.

13. Packaging of Banana
Banana Transport as Bulk & Loose Packaged

14. Packaging of Banana Banana Transport in Carton
Banana carton from Ecuador: note the perforated polyethylene film.
Banana cartons from the Dominican Republic
Source:

15. Packaging of Banana Banana Transport in Carton
Banana hands in plastic crate
Bananas in the basket

16. Packaging of Banana
Banana in Fibre Board Boxes for Ripening

17. Packaging of Banana Let Us Sum Up
Food packaging is a system by which the fresh or processed produce will reach from the production centre to the ultimate consumer in a safe and sound condition at an affordable cost.
It serves two basic objectives, i.e., marketing and logistics.
Adopting improved packaging, handling and transportation methods during distribution and marketing can successfully reduce huge post harvest losses.
However, the product requirements, the marketing system and the personnel preference will determine the type of packaging to be used for a particular fruit.