Fresh pasta was packaged in a modified atmosphere of 22% $CO_2$/78% $N_2$ and compared with a control air package for its quality changes during storage at 8$^{circ}C$. The modified atmosphere packaging suppressed the microbial growth of total aerobic bacteria and yeasts/molds with a concomitant reduction in the rates of physical and chemical quality changes, and thus successfully extended the shelf life of fresh packs from 20 days of air packs to 40 days based on microbial criterion of 10$^{6}$ cfu/g. The shelf life extension was greater when the initial microbial quality of the product was better.