Aptar Food + Beverage, part of AptarGroup Inc., has launched InvisiShield™ platform technology, an anti-pathogenic packaging solution seamlessly integrated into sealed packages to protect fresh-cut produce from harmful pathogens like bacteria, fungi and viruses. Easy to incorporate into existing or new produce packaging lines, the technology mitigates pathogen growth without negatively impacting the product.

InvisiShield leverages 3-Phase Activ-Polymer™ technology, patented by Aptar CSP Technologies, a division of AptarGroup. The Activ-Polymer technology is currently used by leading global brands with a wide range of products to extend shelf life, maintain freshness, and improve efficacy in industries such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and food safety.

Thie InvisiShield solution is activated within sealed packages to safely and effectively release a specially formulated amount of an anti-pathogenic agent into the fresh cut produce’s packaging environment that is undetectable to the consumer and dissipates from the package within 24-48 hours of activation. This mechanism significantly reduces pathogens that may have been introduced during the supply chain without coming into contact with the product itself. The result is a final intervention step that also reduces cross-contamination within the sealed package.

Third-party validated studies demonstrated InvisiShield technology to be up to 99.9% effective against the most common food-borne pathogens: Pathogenic E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria monocytogenes, Human norovirus, Hepatitis A, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, Staphylococcus aureus, Yersinia enterocolitica, Vibrio vulnificus, Geotrichum candidum, Feline calcivirus and Rotavirus.

As a food safety assurance device, InvisiShield meets a need for heightened defense against food-borne illnesses. The Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) solution offers outbreak mitigation without negatively impacting product organoleptics. In a triangle sensory test conducted at Emory Hospital System, professional chefs evaluated the product and were statistically unable to identify a difference in the color, aroma, flavor or texture of tomatoes packaged in a standard method versus those packaged with InvisiShield™ technology.

InvisiShield technology can be seamlessly integrated into an existing production line with complete on-site technical support. The technology is available in different packaging configurations insuring flexibility and adaptability to a wide range of packaging and delivery systems.  

The company is currently focused on launching InvisiShield technology for use on tomatoes, onions, peppers, pico de gallo and sliced apples. In addition to these, Aptar Food + Beverage is further developing the technology to release different anti-pathogenic agents to improve the safety of leafy greens and berries.