What to verify on modified-atmosphere packs

A gas mixture alone does not guarantee shelf life. Check product requirements, storage conditions and seal condition at purchase and receipt.

17 February 2023Updated 23 September 2026

Short answer

For a MAP product, ask the supplier for the product-specific gas mixture, the storage conditions under which the stated shelf life applies, and the package integrity criteria. At receipt, check the label conditions, temperature record and any leak or damage. MAP does not override cold-chain requirements or the product label.

Modified-atmosphere packaging adjusts the gas balance inside a pack for a product. That information alone does not establish how long the product will last; storage conditions and seal integrity matter too.

Ask the supplier for three details

The product-specific MAP mixture or packaging specification.
The storage conditions underlying the labelled shelf life.
Acceptance criteria for leaks and seal defects.

At receipt, check the label instructions, temperature record and visible package damage against the product name or batch. Do not treat a leaking, damaged or collapsed pack as normal; refer it to the site's quality process.

MAP does not replace suitable refrigeration or product instructions. Gas mixture and shelf life depend on the product and packaging, so do not reuse values from a different product.

USDA Agriculture Handbook 66 discusses MAP for fresh produce. Do not interpret it as evidence that one mixture or storage duration applies to every MAP product.