Articles
Difference in Modified Atmosphere Packaging for Fresh Produce: Whole vs Cut Explained
Low-processed or cut fresh produce has higher rates of respiration, transpiration, ethylene production, and microbial spoilage than whole produce. Gas composition, packing material permeability, and use of additional hurdles differ for whole and cut fresh produce. It is advisable to monitor MAP headspace gas composition in the supply chain for quality control. Cut and ready-to-eat… Continue reading…
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Myth: You Can Tell Ripeness by Color Alone
In produce operations, the idea that you can determine fruit ripeness by color alone is persistent. It sounds practical. Walk a field or a packing line, look for the right shade, and make a decision. But when fruit ripeness testing becomes critical to quality control, color quickly shows its limits. If you rely on visual… Continue reading…
Truth About Portable Gas Sensors in Cold Storage: Condensation Isn’t Harmless
Cold storage environments are tough on equipment. Anyone who has worked in produce storage rooms, ripening facilities, or distribution centers knows that temperature swings and high humidity are part of the job. Portable gas sensors for cold storage are often treated as rugged tools that can handle it all. But there is one factor that… Continue reading…
Myth: NIR Devices Work the Same on All Cultivars
Near-infrared fruit analysis is widely used across the produce industry, but a persistent myth still circulates: that one NIR model works the same on every cultivar. The truth is that cultivar differences directly impact NIR calibration accuracy, and ignoring that reality leads to inconsistent data and poor decisions. If you rely on NIR devices for… Continue reading…
Truth About Multi-Gas Monitors: When Extra Sensors Add Noise
The conversation around multi-gas monitors often centers on one assumption: more sensors equal better data. In controlled atmosphere storage, ripening rooms, and produce research, that sounds reasonable. But in practice, multi-gas monitors can introduce complexity, cross-interference, and calibration drift that compromise accuracy. When extra sensors add noise instead of clarity, the result is slower decisions… Continue reading…
Myth: Data Logging Is Optional—It’s Not if You Want Compliance
In food storage, ripening, and controlled atmosphere management, there is a persistent myth that data logging is optional. Teams often assume that if they can spot check gas levels with a handheld unit, that is enough. It is not. If you care about gas analyzer compliance, continuous and reliable data logging is part of the… Continue reading…
Truth About F-Series Devices and Reference Methods: What Correlation Really Means
When people talk about correlation in the context of a produce quality meter, the conversation often gets simplified. A device is tested against a lab reference method. A number comes back. If it is high, the instrument is considered accurate. If it is lower, doubts start to creep in. But correlation is more nuanced than… Continue reading…
