Paper Pak Industries have launched UltraZap® XtendaPak pads, a more evolved version of CO 2 generators. It is designed as an absorbent pad for fresh meat, poultry and fish that has a double antimicrobial effect due to the incorporation of a CO 2 emitter and an antimicrobial substance (Paper Pak Industries, 2014). According to the information contained in
the patent, the antimicrobial agent used would mainly consist of a mixture of citric and sorbic acids (Riehle & Versteylen, 2010). A recent CO 2 emitter application has been developed for fish fillets by a Norwegian company, Vartdal Plastindustri AS, also available for meat packaging (Vartdal Plastindustri, 2009). The SUPERFRESH system consists of a coated expanded polystyrene box with a CO 2 emitter. The fillets are packed in MAP and when the emitter absorbs fl uids from the fillets it
activates CO 2 emission. Reported system advantages are prolonged
shelf life, reduced transport volume, less environmental impact and no
bulging or vacuum effect.