12 - Packaging of retort-processed seafood, meat and poultry

Abstract

Perishable foods like fish, meat and poultry should be quickly processed and packed using an appropriate technique. Retorting is a method of preserving food by heating it in hermetically sealed containers like cans, glass jars, semi-rigid thermoformed containers and retortable pouches. These products have a shelf life of more than a year when held at ambient temperatures during storage. Retort-processed meat, poultry and seafood products offer convenience and are presented in ready to serve formats. This chapter first reviews the types of containers used for retort-processed meat, poultry and seafood products. The retorting process using semi-rigid and flexible containers is also outlined. Then methods to test container suitability for retorting are addressed. A section on the impacts of retorting on the quality of meat, poultry and seafood products completes the chapter.