What are M.A. (Modified Atmosphere) and MAP? Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) extends the shelf life of the product in its package. MA or MAP entails changing the atmosphere surrounding the product within the package whether initiated by the natural respiration of the product itself (passive) or by introducing gases by artificial means (active). By reducing oxygen from 20.9% (in air) and elevating carbon dioxide to a level higher than .03% (in air), the same beneficial effects are possible as with controlled atmosphere (CA). MAP involves a lower degree of control of gas concentrations than with controlled atmospheres and is used as a supplement to proper refrigerated distribution and to enhance humidity management. The desirable oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within this modified environment is product specific and may be further dependent upon variety/cultivar, growing conditions, sourcing region, duration of storage, and temperature. Advances in the design and manufacture of polymeric films with a wide range of gas permeability characteristics have stimulated development of a variety of flexible films that match the respiratory requirements of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. The availability of absorbers and adsorbers of oxygen (O2), carbon dioxide (CO2), ethylene (C2H4), and moisture vapor provide additional tools for maintaining a desired atmosphere within a package. Such modified atmosphere packaging has been applied to shipping containers, pallets of produce, retail and food service packages containing several intact or sliced commodity units, or retail and food service packages for individual units of the commodity.