Food > Fish and Seafood > Product Inspection > Flexible Retort Pouch Defects Manual 

CHAPTER 7
DEFECT CATEGORIES

SECTION 7.11
DEFECT: FLEX CRACKS

CLASSIFICATION:

Flex cracks are considered a minor defect.

When there is an indication that the flex crack defect has spread due to the defect location, or pouch-handling system, then the defect should be evaluated to determine if it should be classified under DELAMINATION.

DESCRIPTION:

Flex cracks are small breaks in the foil layer of the laminate; they appear as small cracks in the pouch surface, where only one layer of laminate is affected. The defect is similar to a delamination.

COMMON SOURCES:

1) The package flexed during cooking and/or handling.

2) Too much of a vacuum was drawn during sealing.