New packaging formats for microwavable foods

ASIA-PACIFIC represents the fastest growing market for ready meals¹ Though most countries in this region traditionally prefer home cooked meals, rising income levels, increasing ownership of refrigerators and microwave ovens, rapid penetration of western-format retail chains and growing popularity of convenience food is driving demand for ready meals. Concurrently demand for household appliances is being driven primarily by market penetration in developing countries. Among product groups, microwave ovens are expected to exhibit the best gains² due to their short replacement cycle and their significant untapped market potential in numerous countries, especially in developing regions. Demand for microwavable ready meals - both for retail and food service trade - is prompting packaging converters and suppliers to develop packaging formats that improve product quality on top of underlining product convenience. Freshness and full flavour An ingenious microwavable packaging solution is extending the ambient shelf life of one of H.J. Heinz Australia抯 new Greenseas product ranges. The robust plastic pot has been thermoformed at RPC Bebo Nederland in a layered construction combining and EVOH polymers. It incorporates an oxygen scavenger, which is used to capture oxygen within the barrier layer of the sealed pack before it reaches the food. This process minimises any food deterioration, particularly in colour and flavour, ensuring the high quality of the product is maintained on-shelf. For added consumer convenience, an integral spoon has been included together with a printed cardboard outer pack that doubles as a practical stand for microwaving and a tray to avoid handling the heated pot. The sides of the cardboard are perforated; when ready for use, the consumer simply tears off the top part of the cardboard leaving only the base. "RPC's contribution to this innovative packaging format has been an essential element of this product range's success," confirms Melissa Clayton, senior product manager - Seafood at H.J. Heinz Australia. "The use of an oxygen scavenger ensures that consumers will experience the full flavour that goes into every pot of Greenseas 'lunch bite'." Film clings and crisps Sirane Ltd (UK) has come up with a radical new design for food service packaging using a new type of microwave susceptor material that can be shaped in various formats. The next generation version of its 'Crisp It' packaging is an integrated two-layer film that can be shaped into more or less any kind of package to suit the microwavable cooking application of the food. The first generation Crisp-It Light was originally developed as a food crisping susceptor film for the insides of burger boxes and other fast food items. The latest version of represents a quantum leap in design by combining, a clear film to the susceptor film and creating a strong bi-laminate which is ideal for crisping up paninis, baguettes and pasties and other foods. In the microwave the film clings to the food, thus making it crisp. Available in various formats such as sleeves, the film can also be used to flow-wrap foodstuffs, so eliminating the need for additional outer packaging. Sirane's new formula means that direct printing onto the film is easy - thus removing the need for a label. "For frozen foods destined for the microwave, there is no longer a need to package into boxes," Jeremy Haydn-Davies, Sirane sales director, explains. Keeping flatbreads crAir Force High