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Blue crab in 'Cadillac' package

A zipper reclosable pouch is now making its debut for pasteurized blue crabmeat in a 16-oz pouch sold under refrigeration. The Zip’n Store™ pouch was co-developed by Pyramid Flexible Packaging and by Presto Products, maker of the polypropylene Fresh-Lock® zipper for retort applications.

The package is now being introduced in six varieties in the United States by Blue Star Food Products, Miami.

Unlike tuna packers, Blue Star has developed its own pasteurizing process that uses lower temperatures and less time in the retort to create a much fresher-tasting product, says Steve Harmell, vp of marketing and sales for Blue Star. Since the product isn’t fully sterilized, the package is completely handled under refrigeration. “In the crabmeat business, people want a fresh taste, and this is as close as anyone can get to fresh and still have shelf life,” Harmell says.

Produced at Pyramid’s Korean converting plant, the pouch comprises polyester/foil/nylon/cast poly-propylene in a thickness of 5.75 mils, says Darryl Shimada of Pyramid. The polyester is reverse-printed with a 175-line screen in eight colors by gravure. The graphics were largely developed by Pyramid, using product photography supplied by Blue Star. The crabmeat is packed in both Vietnam and in Indonesia, with production expected soon in Thailand, Harmell reports. All the plants have had experience packing crabmeat for Blue Star in cans and plastic cups. Currently, the packages have a 12-month shelf life, but the company is now experimenting with techniques that could extend it to 18 months.

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