Packing Policy .....
Olive oil may have to be stored for many months. If specific precautions against deterioration are not taken, this will cause an increase of acidity due to the action of lipases and the development of rancidity.
Tanks or drums for storage should be constructed of material which is impermeable to oil. The interior should be inert so that clearing can be done easily and absorption of odors or other substances (e.g. trace metals), which accelerate oxidation, is prevented. The oil should be protected from air, light, and fluctuation of temperature above 15ºC. Normally the oil should be kept indoors. If, however, the tanks are stored outdoors, they should be coated with an external lining to prevent extreme changes in temperature.
Stainless steel containers are considered ideal for storing. They have a cone shaped bottom to purge sediments periodically. Nitrogen may be added to the air space.
Metallic drums can have a significant negative effect on flavor quality and promote deterioration if not lined with epoxy resins. The storage of olive oil in an iron tank and a polyester-glass fiber (PGF) tank was studied by Perez-Cerezal et al. (1977). Measurements of peroxide values, spectrophotometric constants, and organoleptic evaluation after 10 months showed a significantly more rapid deterioration in the quality of oil stored in the iron container.
Packaging :
Packing can be designed with the objective to obtain better oxidation stability and to ensure adequate shelf life. Three factors are important for choosing packing materials: impermeability to fat, impermeability to gases, and protection from light. Materials used for bottling and packing of olive oil are plastic, glass, (especially tinted glass), tin plates, ceramics, and plastic-coated cardboard.
Tin plates are not transparent and they have excellent impermeability properties. These containers are also resistant to damages from handling and suitable for lithographic labeling. Glass is an inert material and glass bottles are resistant to gas permeation, but their protective effect against light may vary.
Olive Packaging
The Big Olive is able to assist Table Olive Growers in the grading and packaging of their olives and sending them to market. At our factory we have a ‘Ten grade’ olive grading and sorting machine that can be hired on the premises or arrangements can be made for our staff to do the job for you.
Tins & Packaging Charges
Depending on the tins size, packaging requirements, supply of olive oil and the amount to be packaged, The Big Olive will be happy to negotiate a very attractive rate for growers, distributors and on sellers.Prices are based on the supply of tins/container and label. They include the application of the label and placing the tins in our cartons and on pallets
Defects Due to Bad Storing :
- Rancidity (heat, time, light)
- Metallic-plastic (depending on the container)
- Dirty (no proper removal of sediment)
- Putrid (long period of storage)
