Retort Technology in

Food Processing Industry

What is Retorting?
“One of the major
advantages of retorting Retorting is heating of low acid foods prone to microbial spoilage
ready-meal package is that in hermetically sealed containers to extend their shelf life. The
both food and package are
goal of retort processing is to obtain commercial sterilization by
thermally processed
together, which allows the application of heat.
filled packages to be
commercially sterile.”
Packaging Material

Foods can be sterilized in rigid containers like glass, metal cans

Advantages of using
retortable flexible
and plastic or flexible retort pouches.
containers
Cans and glass jars

Metal cans and glass jars are widely used for retort processes,
01. Rapid heat transfer because of their high mechanical strength, thermal stability,
and hence, reduction in resistance to pressure, and excellent barrier properties.
processing time

02. Fewer nutrient

losses

03. No refrigeration or
freezing required

Retortable plastic container/ Pouches

A typical retort-able plastic container is made of an oxygen
 barrier layer such as ethylene vinyl chloride (EVOH) or
polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC) sandwiched between two
polypropylene layers. Flexible retort-able pouches are laminated
structures that must provide excellent barrier properties for long
shelf life, seal integrity, puncture resistance and must withstand
rigorous thermal processing.

“The materials for retort pouch must be inert, heat sealable, dimensionally stable and heat resistant
(usually 115°C–125°C). They should have low oxygen and water-vapour permeability and be physically
strong to resist penetration by the foodstuff contained and abuse during handling and storage.”

Steps involved in The quality assurance for retort pouches is usually

retort pouch assessed according to the following tests:
processing include: 1. A visual assessment is done by qualified, experienced personnel to
1. Printing the make sure that the pouch is correctly formed and that there are
polyester film no channels through the seals.
2. Filling the pouches 2. Seal strength is measured (usually mechanically) and must comply
with the raw with specification.
material 3. Bond strength of the various laminate layers is assessed by
3. Removal of air physically tearing the layers apart.
4. Sealing of pouch 4. Burst strength of the pouch is measured by filling it and then
5. Traying subjecting it to a specific force.
6. Processing (Using 5. Oxygen permeability and water transmission rates are measured
autoclaves, steam, on bag samples before and after processing.
steam spray, water
spray, etc)

Commercial Application of Retort Technology

Retort technology can be applied to process ready meals, sauces,

marinades, vegetables curry, soups, and rice.
 FOOD BUDDIES

1. Reduce 50% of
your time to set
up food industry

2. Increase the
speed 50% for
selecting the right
food machinery.

3. Get desired
food product
prototype within
45 days

Some of the popular commercial products include:

 South Indian food such as Upma, Sambar

 Biryani, fried rice
 Ginger Garlic paste

Contact
Food Buddies
No: 4/54, 1st North Cross St.,
Kapaleeswarar Nagar, Neelankarai,
Chennai - 600 041, Tamilnadu

Landline :044 4285 22 58

Mobile: +91 9176683456
Web: http://www.foodbuddies.in/