The company said the addition to its Simple Steps line, part of the Cryovac brand, is geared for fresh-cut vegetables, but could also suitable for a variety of other applications.
The new Lidstock package includes a clear, rigid polypropylene tray and a non-barrier easy-open sealant with a permeable anti-fog coated lidstock. According to the company, it can be easily used by packaged food manufacturers, as it can run on a wide range of existing equipment.
Versatility
Sealed Air said that both the lidstock and trays come from the same supplier, “allying origination fears”.
The packages are available in a variety of different sizes, and allow for printing on the film. This, said the company, could lead to cost savings for processors as there is no need for a sleeve around the package.
Other advantages include an easy to stack and easy to store format, as well as the fact that the tray is clear and can be filled to the top, which the firm says is “visually appealing” for consumers.
The packages have a shelf-life of 10-14 days.
Convenience
The new packaging taps into an increased demand for convenience products that trickles down from the consumer market into the food packaging arena.
Sealed Air’s Cryovac Simple Steps line of packaging is a ‘heat and serve’ microwavable package, which uses a self-venting technology. According to the firm, this helps make meal preparation convenient and safe.
Lidstock packages can allow consumers to steam-cook fresh produce in the microwave “in a matter of minutes”.
“Fresh, healthy alternatives are an important part of every meal, but so often, the demands of our everyday lives make it difficult to prepare healthy options. While consumers will appreciate the ease with which they can prepare quality food, processors will appreciate how easily they can start using Simple Steps Lidstock,” said Myra Foster, new business development manager for Sealed Air’s Cryovac brand.
Demographic changes
A recent report from the Freedonia group forecasts that the increasing popularity of convenience and prepared foods will play a large part in the growth of converted flexible food packing.
Demographic changes such as greater numbers of single-person households and older consumers will support the demand for more convenient prepared foods and single-serving portions, sometimes in multi-packs.
They said that this will increase material consumption as smaller portions tend to use more packaging relative to their size.
Convenience-orientated or processed foods also often use more costly, higher barrier packaging materials for extended shelf life, claim the analysts.