Trials to Compare the Thermal Performance of a New Design of CRT Non-reusable Double Walled Fibreboard Fish Box with Expanded Polystyrene and Single Walled Fibreboard Boxes

Summary

Trials were carried out to compare the thermal properties of expanded polystyrene (EPS), single walled fibreboard (SWF) and double walled fibreboard (DWF) boxes. The boxes were tested in an environmental chamber and fish fillet temperature in each box was recorded for two time-temperature profiles. The first profile represented an interrupted chilled chain distribution over 66 hours, such as by airfreight and the second profile represented a controlled chilled distribution of 72 hours such as by road transport. Fillets in each box were chilled using a single frozen gel-ice pack placed on top of the fillets, or using ice. The EPS box was most effective at maintaining low fillet temperature for both temperature profiles and cooling methods. The DWF box had similar but slightly better insulative properties than the SWF box. Ice chilling of fillets was more effective than a single gel-ice pack at maintaining low fillet temperatures for both temperature profiles. At the end of the trials using ice, the amount of melt water produced exceeded the capacity of the absorbent pad used. The ratio of ice used and/or absorbent pad capacity needs careful consideration to prevent fillets from soaking in melt water in non-draining boxes. Where fish is distributed in an uncontrolled chilled distribution chain, boxes with greater insulative properties, such as EPS would be advisable in order to maintain low product temperatures. Where fish is distributed in a strictly controlled distribution chain, it would be beneficial to use boxes with less insulation, to allow chill temperatures to influence product temperatures

Publication Reference No.

CR193

Publication date

01 December 2002