Frontiers and Research and Development

Abstract

Aseptic processing and packaging is an attractive and a challenging alternative compared to conventional methods of canning of foods. Continuous sterilization of heat-sensitive foods at ultrahigh temperatures followed by prompt cooling results in a superior finished product, which can be filled into containers of varying compositions, of different shapes, and with many consumer-attractive features. Aseptic processing and the resulting volume and variety of products and ingredients preserved using this group of technologies have experienced a very dynamic and diverse growth during the last decade, which also coincides with the period since the publication of the previous edition of this book. Additionally, numerous significant global trends have appeared or increased in momentum during the same period, both within the aseptic industry specifically and in the overall industrial economy in general. In the aseptic and food industry, the market expansion of plant-based foods designed to replace animal source foods such as meat and milks (with plant-based milks being the significant development with a major impact on aseptic industry), introduction of novel heating technologies, and availability of more compact and flexible processing systems. Furthermore, the negative effects of climate change and the global epidemics emerged to exert a major impact on the food industry. Sustainable packaging and longer shelf life are of great importance for the food and beverage industry, along with cost of environmental benefits in terms of ambient shipping and storage. The cost of refrigeration is higher and is a key driver for companies to invest in aseptically processed and packaged products that are ambient shelf stable for 12–24 months. This advantage must be fully leveraged to realize savings on energy and carbon footprint. This chapter presents a review of both the internally recognized needs and opportunities as well as emerging global trends which are anticipated to have an impact on research and development in the aseptic industry. The future of aseptic processing and packaging of foods and beverages will be driven by customer-facing convenience and taste, use of current and new premium clean label natural ingredients, use of multifactorial preservation or hurdle technology for maximizing quality, and sustainable packaging with claims and messaging.