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Mushrooms are among the most popular and versatile foods in the world. For vegetarians, they are an excellent replacement for meat, thanks to their fleshy texture and savory taste. However, these are also among the most sensitive foods to store and transport. They easily bruise and develop fungi (no pun intended here). This is where foldable plastic containers for mushroom delivery step in to solve producers’ and retailers’ problems.
The Challenges of Shipping and Storing Mushrooms
All types of mushrooms, from the well-known champignons to more exotic varieties, are incredibly sensitive to:
- Any mechanical shocks
- Too much or too little humidity
- Temperature variations
- Contamination with mold or fungi.
For this reason, producers and distributors who rely on single-use cardboard packages almost always have to write off up to 40% of each shipment as unfit for sale. This is a significant loss, which can cut severely into the companies’ revenues and profits.
One of the issues is that mushrooms can lose their fresh look even after short periods of inadequate storage. Industry tests show that they can develop bacterial spots just four days after being placed in single-use cardboard boxes.
How Foldable Plastic Containers for Mushroom Delivery Protect the Produce
We developed a special range of foldable small containers for fruit and vegetables after analysing the conditions sensitive fresh produce needs to maximize their shelf life. These returnable plastic crates are ideal for storing fresh mushrooms, shipping them to retail stores and displaying them on shelves.
Here are just a few benefits of replacing single-use packaging with our solution:
Protection from Mechanical Shocks
As we’ve explained, mushrooms bruise easily at the slightest pressure. Single-use cardboard boxes offer no resistance to static load on the pallet. Thus, mushrooms in the boxes at the bottom of the stack often get badly crushed.
By contrast, foldable plastic containers for mushroom delivery take the weight off the stack and protect the contents from crushing. The average stack load of our containers is 150 kg – sufficient for loading a pallet to maximum capacity without damaging the products.
Proper Ventilation to Extend Shelf Life
As mentioned above, mushrooms spoil quickly due to too much or too little humidity. Without proper airflow, they will quickly sprout bacteria and fungi and develop a strong fishy smell.
If they are exposed to too much dry air, they will shrivel, and the lamella under the cap will open, thus losing the fresh aspect. Mushroom connoisseurs look specifically at the lamella to assess the freshness of the produce.
The special foldable plastic crates for mushroom delivery have perforations in the bottom and the sides, allowing just enough airflow to remove excess humidity. The mushrooms will continue to preserve the right amount of moisture to stay fresh for a longer time.
Ergonomic Design for Easy Handling
Accidents and human error account for a significant percentage of product damage in warehouses and retail stores. Single-use boxes are notoriously difficult to handle, leading to these accidents.
By contrast, returnable plastic packaging is designed both for human and robot handling. These crates have open handles on the short side, allowing a secure grip and easy lifting. Also, their smooth bottom is adequate for handling with a forklift.
This helps reduce accidents caused by dropping the loaded crates or stacks of crates toppling from a pallet.
Attractive Aspect, Adequate for In-Store Display
Last but not least, the foldable plastic containers for mushroom delivery can also be used as in-store displays. They have a smooth, polished design and bright colors, attracting the customers’ attention.
This helps retailers grow their sales and improve their brand image, as well. Returnable plastic containers are easy to clean and sanitize, and have a professional aspect that wins the customers’ trust. Over time, they will associate the clean crates with high-quality products they can safely use for preparing food.
The Logistic Packaging team is ready to assist your company in choosing the best returnable packaging solutions for your needs. We are producers of both standard and customized packaging materials with extensive experience in all major industries. Send us an email to start discussing with one of our consultants!
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