At VIST Labs, innovative cryogenic pasteurization technology addresses one of the industry's most pressing issues: microbial contamination. With more than 100 patents and three decades of experience in food, pharmaceutical, and cannabis packaging, Jim Sanfilippo is revolutionizing cannabis safety.
In a market valued at $35 billion, Sanfilippo's breakthroughs are essential for cannabis brands aiming to uphold product quality while managing intricate regulatory hurdles.
From Nuts to Frozen Nuggs: A Journey of Packaging Innovation
Jim Sanfilippo’s expertise in packaging didn’t begin with cannabis. His roots trace back to his family’s food business, where his innovations revolutionized how perishable goods were preserved. Sanfilippo's pioneering work in oxygen-free packaging started with something as simple as nuts. Recognizing that oxygen was a key factor in the degradation of food, he developed advanced packaging methods that extended shelf life and maintained product freshness. These early breakthroughs in food safety laid the foundation for future innovations in both the food and pharmaceutical sectors.
Sanfilippo's packaging methods were created to preserve the integrity of delicate goods by removing oxygen from the surrounding air and preventing contamination and spoiling. This strategy proved to be so effective that it attracted the interest of significant figures in the packaging sector. After selling two of his company's divisions to packaging behemoth Sonoco in 2017, Sanfilippo made the decision to concentrate his skills on a brand-new, quickly expanding market: cannabis.
"Cannabis is a $35 billion industry in the U.S., but it faces significant challenges with microbial contamination," Sanfilippo says. Sanfilippo recognized an opportunity to apply similar concepts to cannabis, keeping the plant's potency, flavor, and safety while solving the industry's essential issue of contamination. His packaging solutions have previously prolonged the shelf life of other goods. His transition from food to cannabis was more than simply a financial decision; it was a logical step for a seasoned entrepreneur trying to address complicated issues in a field ripe for disruption.
Sanfilippo's packaging methods were created to preserve the integrity of delicate goods by removing oxygen from the surrounding air and preventing contamination and spoiling. This strategy proved to be so effective that it attracted the interest of significant figures in the packaging sector. After selling two of his company's divisions to packaging behemoth Sonoco in 2017, Sanfilippo made the decision to concentrate his skills on a brand-new, quickly expanding market: cannabis.
Today, Sanfilippo’s innovations in cannabis packaging mirror the same meticulous approach he took in his family’s food business, ensuring that every product remains as potent and pure as the day it was harvested.
Cryogenic Pasteurization: The Cannabis Industry's Hidden Solution
VIST Labs' invention centers on cryogenic pasteurization, a procedure that sterilizes cannabis while retaining its natural components using medical-grade cryogenic vapor. "Cannabis is often contaminated with yeast, mold, and harmful pathogens like Aspergillus," adds Jim Sanfilippo.
He explains that traditional sterilizing procedures, like as gamma radiation or ozone, might harm cannabinoids and terpenes, resulting in lower-quality goods.
How it works...
VIST’s method lowers oxygen levels to prevent oxidation and stop microbial growth without compromising product integrity. The process starts by loading 4-5 pounds of cannabis into a product cassette, which is then placed inside the pasteurization machine, a refrigerator-sized unit.
The VIST chamber is then activated, using cryogenic vapor formed by vaporizing liquid nitrogen at -320°F and combining it with a medical-grade atmosphere.
In just 90 to 150 seconds, the chamber fills with vapor, reducing oxygen levels to as low as 95%, effectively eliminating harmful microbes like Aspergillus, E. coli, and Salmonella.
Once sterilized, the product is rapidly cooled with liquid nitrogen, preventing oxidation. Finally, a HEPA filtration system purifies the air, removing any residual contaminants and ensuring the cannabis is packaged in aseptic, low-oxygen conditions for maximum purity and stability.
A Modular Solution for the Cannabis Industry
VIST Labs' cryogenic pasteurization machines are built with modularity in mind, providing flexibility for both mid-sized cultivators and large-scale operations. "We can operate in cassette mode at 25 pounds per hour, or scale up to our high-output setup, handling up to 40 pounds per hour," said Jim Sanfilippo in an interview.
But VIST Labs’ system is more than just a sterilization machine—it's a comprehensive packaging solution. After sterilization, the cannabis is transferred into a bulk device that packs it into bags of various sizes, ranging from one to ten pounds, or into smaller pouches for quantities like an eighth-ounce. “Our system includes a cooler, pouch bagger, and other components that work together to maintain a near-zero oxygen environment,” Sanfilippo explained.
This scalability makes VIST's technology suitable for a wide range of cannabis businesses, whether they're aiming to meet strict medical market standards or preserve medical-grade crops for export.
The aseptic packaging system adheres to European Pharmacopoeia standards, ensuring compliance in both domestic and international markets.
VIST’s forward-thinking technology also prepares cannabis companies for potential federal legalization. As federal oversight looms, Sanfilippo emphasizes that more stringent regulations, particularly around truth-in-labeling, will make compliance technologies like theirs vital for long-term success.
“With our system, we offer protection for the crop year and complete microbial control for up to a year," said Sanfilippo, noting that VIST expects to package nearly 150 million pounds of outdoor-grown cannabis in 2023 alone.
Beyond decontamination, VIST’s system addresses a critical issue in the cannabis industry: the degradation of THC potency over time. Fluctuating oxygen levels in packaging often result in mislabeled products, leading to recalls and regulatory consequences.
“Within 45 to 50 days, THC levels can degrade by 10% or more, making label claims inaccurate,” said Sanfilippo. VIST's modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) ensures product stability for up to a year, helping brands stay compliant and maintain product safety.
Bottom Line
VIST Labs, led by packaging innovator Jim Sanfilippo, is transforming cannabis safety and preservation with its cryogenic pasteurization technology. By freezing cannabis at -320°F, this groundbreaking process effectively eliminates microbial contamination without compromising the plant's integrity. Offering scalable, modular solutions for cultivators of all sizes, VIST Labs ensures compliance with stringent industry standards, both in the U.S. and internationally. As the cannabis market expands and federal regulations tighten, VIST's forward-thinking technology positions brands for long-term success by maintaining product quality, extending shelf life, and safeguarding potency—crucial elements in a $35 billion industry.
PROS AND CONS OF FREEZING CANNABIS, READ ON...
