Trends in Food Packaging for Foodservice

Forces shaping the food package of the future include convenience, economy and energy conservation. Three new packages are particularly interesting, viz., retort pouch, hermetically-sealed trays and semi-rigid retortable trays. The retort pouch has been widely researched and is making inroads on the market. Applications should increase when materials used in the adhesive system are approved as meeting U.S. extractives standards. Foods can be thermally-processed and stored ambiently in shallow, hermetically-sealed trays. Processing is accomplished rapidly with improved quality and energy savings. Semi-rigid retortable containers range in size from single-serving to half-size steam-table trays.