Meat industry benefits from new packaging innovation

American-based Sealed Air Corporation has created multi-layer coextruded bags, designed to improve food safety in the fresh red meat and smoked and processed meat industry.  

The Cryovac OptiDure bags claim to combine mechanical abuse resistance with reduced thickness. Pleats and overlap closing ensure the packaging is efficiently sealed. This reduces the risk of leakage, which subsequently lessens the likelihood of contamination.

The packaging is intended to benefit producers of products such as dried processed meat, terrines, smoked bacon and red meat on the bone.

The shrink behaviour of the Cryovac OptiDure bags, alongside the thin structure of their design, means they obtain abuse levels equal to thicker materials, while reducing the negative impact it would have on the environment.

Food safety

“These abuse-resistant bags are the key to food safety and food waste reduction, even along distribution chains,” claimed Sealed Air.

The company believes its Cryovac OptiDure bags have the potential to present meat processing companies with openings that they were not previously able to take advantage of.

“This opens doors to export possibilities that may previously have been out of reach. Products packed in this material attract welcome attention in the retail context due to the excellent brightness and transparency derived from its innovative structural composition.”

Glossy finish

The bags boasted an attractive glossy finish after shrink, said the firm.

Cryovac OptiDure bags are available in two different types, both providing high-quality puncture and abrasion resistance.

The ODA5005 version is 75 microns thick, whereas the ODA7005 brags a thickness of 95 microns.