Closures

Casual tamperers tempted no more

An unlikely "marketer"--the State of Maryland--has taken steps to discourage casual tampering of crab meat packed in containers with snap-on lids. Seems that even the best-behaved supermarket shopper will occasionally sneek a peek, whiff or even a bite of that luscious but expensive fresh crab meat.

August 31, 1996

Meat/Poultry/Seafood: Page 103

Flexibles

Resins OK'd for fatty food packaging

In June the Food and Drug Administration approved Exxon Chemical's (Houston, TX) Oppera® modified polypropylene film resins for use in direct contact with fatty foods such as salty snacks, processed meats and cheeses, and confectionery items.

August 31, 1996

Flexibles

Heat-resistant resin

Capron® PA 6 and PA 6.6 homopolymer resins from AlliedSignal Plastics (Morristown, NJ) are heat-resistant and have a high barrier against oxygen, flavor and aroma permeation.

July 31, 1996

Flexibles

New thermoform makes tuna salad easier

After a '90s makeover, Charlie the StarKist Tuna resurfaces on packages of a new product, Ready Mixed Tuna Salad & Crackers. The product is a more convenient form of the Lunch Kit that StarKist Seafoods, Newport, KY, has been marketing for about four years.

July 31, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Coffee packer finds Virtues in thin film

By downgauging the film by half for foodservice coffee packs, Virtues of Coffee reduces material, energy consumption and labor costs. Structure improves machinability and even puncture-resistance, while maintaining shelf life.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

Preventive medicine for pharmaceutical producer

CPSC regulations caused pharmaceutical manufacturer Chattem, Inc., to update packaging for its menstrual pain relief products. Line changes included a rebuild-instead of a purchase-of a cartoner to help expedite the switch.

June 30, 1996

Flexibles

Bowling them over in the produce aisle

The latest innovation from Tanimura & Antle is a line of single-serve fresh-cut salads packed in a thermoformed bowl. Refrigerated shelf life is two weeks.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

Testing the power of PEN

Tests of hot-filled jam in a jar and pasteurized beer in bottles are among the latest signs that PEN's packaging potential may soon be realized.

June 30, 1996

Converting equipment

Shaping technology injects market excitement in metal cans

Until a couple of years ago, American packagers using cans seemed satisfied with the straight sidewall profile and functionality of most metal cans. The cans were strong, easy to fill and seam, and offered a number of labeling, case packing and stacking options.

June 30, 1996

Bag/pouch fill/seal (pre-made bags)

Film pack launches sub sandwich in Canada

Printed film replaces a manually applied label for Burns Meats' EZee Sub sandwich meat packs, saving 50% in combined material and labor costs.

June 30, 1996

Meat/Poultry/Seafood

Native American design for salmon

Juneau, Alaska-based Health Sea, Inc., and the Native American community of the Kake Tribal Corp. are counting on package design to successfully launch the Keta(TM) line of 99% fat-free smoked salmon products within four U.S.

June 30, 1996

Flexible packaging

Ling Ling tries a blend of MAP and frozen distribution

Shipped and warehoused frozen, these Chinese entrees are displayed in the supermarket's refrigerated deli case, where their modified atmospheres give them an extended shelf life.

May 31, 1996

Controls & Machine Components

Pouch progress, too

In addition to its core business of sauces packed in glass and plastic bottles, Yoshida has a busy pouch packaging operation, too. Typically the pouches are sold to other food marketers who include them as components in something like a vegetable or chicken stir fry.

May 31, 1996