Seattle, WA, USA--(Jobwerx News)--Temperature responsive polymer packaging compensates for fluctuations and extends shelf life for a variety of food and agricultural products.

Positive results from initial market tests in Landec's banana packaging program with Chiquita Brands International, Inc., extends banana shelf-life.

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Recent banana market trials by Chiquita with a large national non-grocery retail chain in a region of the U.S. involving over sixty store outlets have been underway. The objectives of the market trials are to confirm that Landec's Intelimer(R) packaging technology works for extending the shelf-life of bananas and to gauge the reaction of store managers and consumers. Based on these objectives, the initial trial results have been a success, and as a result, an aggressive expansion plan is being developed. In addition, Chiquita is now beginning store trials with a second large non grocery retail chain in the U.S. using Landec's packaging technology and Chiquita bananas.

Landec Corporation is a developer and marketer of technology-based polymer products for the packaging industry. Landec's proprietary Intelimer polymers are synthetic materials that respond to temperature changes in a controllable, predictable way. Intelimer polymers can abruptly change their permeability, adhesion or viscosity when heated or cooled by just a few degrees. These changes are triggered by a built-in temperature switch which can be set within temperature ranges compatible with most biological applications. Moreover, because the process of change involves a physical, and not a chemical change, it can be repeatedly reversed.

Polymers are versatile materials found in many modern products. Natural polymers include cellulose and rubber, while man-made polymers include nylon fibers used in fabrics, coatings such as paints and other finishes, plastics such as polyethylene, and elastomers used in automobile tires and rubber gloves.

Breatheway™ Packaging is a temperature responsive packaging system developed for high respiring produce that creates the ideal package atmosphere and extends produce shelf life.

Under the agreement that Landec's food subsidiary, Apio, Inc., entered into with Chiquita in September 2004, Apio will supply Chiquita with its proprietary Intelimer banana packaging technology on a worldwide basis for the ripening, conservation and shelf life extension of bananas in selective applications on an exclusive basis and for other applications on a non-exclusive basis. In addition, Apio will provide Chiquita with ongoing research and development, process technology support for the Intelimer membranes and bags, and technical service support throughout the customer chain in order to assist in the development and market acceptance of the technology.

Apio of Guadalupe, CA, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Landec Corporation located in Menlo Park, California. Landec Corporation designs, develops, manufactures and sells temperature-activated and other specialty polymer products for a variety of food, agricultural and licensed partner applications. Its temperature-activated polymer products are based on its proprietary Intelimer polymers, which differ from other polymers in that they can be customized to abruptly change their physical characteristics when heated or cooled through a pre-set temperature switch. Additional information is available at www.landec.com.

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Apio's extensive presence in the produce market combined with Landec's proprietary packaging technology positions them as a leader in the produce industry. Landec's technology creates conditions that provide a high level of quality and freshness at the point of purchase and offers major advantages to retailers and consumers by extending shelf life, reducing product shrink, and preserving the fresh taste, smell, and appearance of produce in a highly convenient package.