TRANSITION FROM HOT FILL TO SUSTAINABLE ASEPTIC PACKAGING

Aseptic processing is a high-temperature–short-time thermal process to commercially sterilize a product and fill the cooled sterile product into a presterilized package in a sterile environment. Purposes for aseptic processing include extending the storage life of food products, optimizing product quality, and reducing cost. A diagram of an aseptic processing system for consumer products is shown in Figure 1. In the aseptic process, the aseptic filler is designed to sterilize the package material, fill the sterile product into the package in a sterile environment, and then hermetically seal the package. Aseptic filling differs from other traditional methods of food packaging in that the food product and the package are continuously sterilized separately and then meet in the sterile environment provided by the aseptic filler. Important factors in the aseptic filling process are the type of product, type of package, obtaining and maintaining a sterile environment for filling, and the sealing process.