Last chance to save $100! Cutting-edge Trends for Every Industry at PACK EXPO Southeast
Discover packaging & processing solutions for all industries at the all-new PACK EXPO Southeast in Atlanta, GA, March 10-12, 2025
LAST CHANCE! Register ASAP for $30

Cudahy takes bacon out of the fridge

Patrick Cudahy Inc. of Cudahy, WI, is probably the first to package precooked sliced bacon for display outside of the refrigerated deli case. "Shelf-stable packaging opens up more opportunities," says Cudahy marketer Jason Kapella.

Pw 22493 Pat Cud Incof 9

These opportunities are not only in the supermarket-near the bread aisle, at the checkout counter, beside the tomatoes-but outside the supermarket altogether in unconventional outlets like convenience stores and gas stations. Unrefrigerated shelf life is six months. Cudahy vacuum packages its Golden Crisp bacon on a recently installed horizontal form-and-seal system from RapidPak (Appleton, WI). According to Cudahy operations vice president Sue Harrits, similar machines and Cryovac (Duncan, SC) barrier materials are used for raw bacon and, possibly, for the precooked bacon that others market in the refrigerated case. A big contribution to the shelf stability of this product is the way it's cooked and formulated, says Harrits. Specifically, salt content is minimized and water activity is low thanks to especially thorough cooking. In packaging, twelve strips of cooked bacon are placed by hand on a sheet of white parchment paper. The paper is inserted into the shallow cavity of the web formed on the RapidPak machine. After a vacuum is pulled and lidding sealed, workers fold the 10" x 15" package three times and insert it into a 41/2" x 11" folding carton supplied by Standard Folding Cartons (Jackson Heights, NY). Printed offset in five colors, the 14-pt SBS carton has a die-cut window on the back. Twelve flat cartons are packed in a tray for in-store display. Launched nationwide in January and retailing for $2.99 per 12-strip package, each Golden Crisp package contains 2.15 oz of bacon.

New e-book on Flexible Packaging
In this e-book, you’ll learn key considerations for vertical and horizontal f/f/s and how to choose between premade bags and an f/f/s system. Plus, discover the pitfalls to avoid on bagging machinery projects.
download
New e-book on Flexible Packaging
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $100! New Trends for All Industries at PACK EXPO Southeast
The exciting new PACK EXPO Southeast 2025 unites all vertical markets in one dynamic hub, generating more innovative answers to your production challenges. Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity for your business!
REGISTER ASAP FOR $30!
LAST CHANCE TO SAVE $100! New Trends for All Industries at PACK EXPO Southeast