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Glossary Item

Hermetically sealed : hermetically sealed

Effective 2 July 2019

Preferred Term: hermetically sealed

Other Terms:

Definition:

A package is hermetically sealed if it is “airtight” e.g. heat sealed retort pouch, sealed can or glass jar with screw cap. Hermetically sealed goods may also be heat treated but ‘hermetically sealed’ is not the same as ‘canned’ or ‘retorted’. Many foods are packed in hermetically sealed containers, but do not undergo heat treatments in that package. These foods cannot be treated as retorted foods as they may not be sterile.