Food technologies: Aseptic packaging

Aseptic packaging is a state-of-the-art technology for production of high-quality liquid food products with extended shelf life, ensuring the standards of food safety. It does not only include the packaging itself, but is a complete process, ranging from the product sterilization to the package sealing and is very complex to control. An array of sterilization techniques, packaging materials and systems have emerged to offer flexibility in processing different food products with this innovative processing technology. This article summarizes the aseptic processing, packaging principles, sterilization methods and technologies applicable to food industry. Additionally it highlights the difficulties, potential risks and solutions.