Sirane's ANTI-MICROBIAL absorbent packaging gives two extra days shelf-life to diced beef in trials

ANTI-MICROBIAL absorbent packaging from Sirane has given diced beef two additional days' shelf-life in recent trials with one major UK meat processing company.

An independently-run trial showed a two-day increase from nine to 11 days on the shelf-life of the packs containing its ABM pads compared to existing packaging, according to Sirane.

"These results are great, and could result in significant financial savings for the processor in question as two additional days shelf-life is a huge step," said Simon Balderson, Sirane Managing Director.

"Every processor and retailer's supply chain is different, with different parameters, so we would never say to every retailer 'you will get two days more'. We're saying you could get additional shelf-life by using a pad like this, you might even get more than two days extra," he added.

Sirane's new Dri-Fresh ABM pads for meat/poultry, contain a blend of natural bio-flavonoids and organic acids which work together to extend shelf-life. It is activated by moisture – so only functions when needed.

"The combination of flavonoids which are anti-oxidants and anti-microbial, with organic acids including citric acid and ascorbic acids is harmless, as all elements are found naturally within fruit. It is clean, simple, and effective. Nature itself often has the answers," explained Balderson.

The major difference of Sirane's technology is the method of delivery, he said. With the anti-microbial integrated into the pad, and activated only when needed, it gets efficiently to the heart of the problem.

"So much food gets thrown away, and Sirane has been trying to help companies with their food waste reduction targets – ABM is one way meat and poultry packers can achieve this," Balderson noted.

Reducing food waste is on top of many companies' agenda when Courtauld 2025 – an industry-wide agreement to tackle the problem of food waste in UK was launched in 2015. The country currently responsible for one fifth of all the wasted food across the EU.

The 10-year agreement hopes to reduce food waste in the UK by 20%, and is targeting all part of the food cycle, from the food producer right through to the consumers.