Meat Packaging Materials deliver fresh red color
FreshCase® packaging-a groundbreaking new material technology from Curwood for case-ready meats-delivers the superior flavor, quality and extended shelf life of vacuum packaging; the fresh red color consumers prefer; and cost advantages that help processors and retailers maintain critical profit margins.
FreshCase® packaging-a groundbreaking new material technology from Curwood for case-ready meats-delivers the superior flavor, quality and extended shelf life of vacuum packaging; the fresh red color consumers prefer; and cost advantages that help processors and retailers maintain critical profit margins.
FreshCase® packaging is an FDA- and USDA-approved technology engineered to maintain fresh red color in a vacuum package. For the consumer, the attractive, leak-proof packages are easy to open; freezer-ready; and can be stored in the refrigerator, ready-to-cook, until the Use-By date. For retailers, the hermetic packaging offers a shelf life of more than 30 days for whole muscle beef and extends typical retail display life up to 28 days compared to 3-5 days for tray overwraps. This advancement leads to significant cost savings from reduced markdowns, spoilage, waste and labor costs for repackaging.
FreshCase® packaging also dramatically increases shelf life to 14 days-compared to the 3-5 day shelf life for current MAP packaging. FreshCase® vacuum packages minimize stock-outs that typically result in the loss of sales. FreshCase® vacuum packages all but eliminate markdowns and waste due to expired display life, leading to a significant cost savings.
FreshCase® packaging provides additional safety, quality and presentation benefits to retailers not seen with traditional case ready packages. The hermetic seals of FreshCase® vacuum packaging eliminate leakers and mess in the meat case. Greater visibility of the vacuum package allows promotion of the product from all angles; and the aesthetic drawbacks of high-oxygen gas-flushed packages, such as purge or "black bones" are eliminated. Due to the ability to centrally process and package FreshCase® vacuum packaging right in the meat plant, product safety is assured and handling is minimized.
"Our market research shows that consumers really like vacuum-packaged fresh meats and associate vacuum packaging with freshness," said Bill Goerich, Sr. Market Manager at Curwood. "They like the leak-proof seals, the visibility of the meat and the convenience of ready-to-prepare fresh meat with no defrosting. Now, with breakthrough FreshCase® packaging, retailers can deliver the desired red color consumers expect and significantly extend the selling window, while minimizing markdowns and waste."
In a recent independent survey conducted across nine cities, more than 80% of respondents preferred the red color of FreshCase® packed meats over meat in traditional purple vacuum packages. The ability to maintain beef's fresh, natural, bloomed color maximizes the full potential of vacuum packaging for meat processors, eliminating retail challenges of purple beef in traditional vacuum packaging.
Vacuum packaging is an ideal format for case-ready meats because it allows meat to age properly, while offering significantly longer shelf life and reducing loss due to spoilage. Since vacuum-packaged meats require no headspace for gases, the package fits the product and does not look overpackaged. Meats also retain their juices, so there is little, if any, purge. The hermetic seals of vacuum packaging eliminate the mess of leaking packages. The longer display life significantly reduces stock-outs and markdowns, and enables the sale of specialty cuts. The centralized processing benefit of FreshCase® vacuum packaged meats eliminates the need for in-store meat cutting and packaging.
Developed for fresh beef, FreshCase® materials are available for many formats including forming and non-forming films, vacuum skin packaging, trays and semi-rigid films with VSP and ground beef chubs. The films run on horizontal, VSP and chub equipment. An EZ Peel® opening feature can be added which allows even the most form-fitting package to open effortlessly without knives or scissors.
Source: Curwood
FreshCase® packaging also dramatically increases shelf life to 14 days-compared to the 3-5 day shelf life for current MAP packaging. FreshCase® vacuum packages minimize stock-outs that typically result in the loss of sales. FreshCase® vacuum packages all but eliminate markdowns and waste due to expired display life, leading to a significant cost savings.
FreshCase® packaging provides additional safety, quality and presentation benefits to retailers not seen with traditional case ready packages. The hermetic seals of FreshCase® vacuum packaging eliminate leakers and mess in the meat case. Greater visibility of the vacuum package allows promotion of the product from all angles; and the aesthetic drawbacks of high-oxygen gas-flushed packages, such as purge or "black bones" are eliminated. Due to the ability to centrally process and package FreshCase® vacuum packaging right in the meat plant, product safety is assured and handling is minimized.
"Our market research shows that consumers really like vacuum-packaged fresh meats and associate vacuum packaging with freshness," said Bill Goerich, Sr. Market Manager at Curwood. "They like the leak-proof seals, the visibility of the meat and the convenience of ready-to-prepare fresh meat with no defrosting. Now, with breakthrough FreshCase® packaging, retailers can deliver the desired red color consumers expect and significantly extend the selling window, while minimizing markdowns and waste."
In a recent independent survey conducted across nine cities, more than 80% of respondents preferred the red color of FreshCase® packed meats over meat in traditional purple vacuum packages. The ability to maintain beef's fresh, natural, bloomed color maximizes the full potential of vacuum packaging for meat processors, eliminating retail challenges of purple beef in traditional vacuum packaging.
Vacuum packaging is an ideal format for case-ready meats because it allows meat to age properly, while offering significantly longer shelf life and reducing loss due to spoilage. Since vacuum-packaged meats require no headspace for gases, the package fits the product and does not look overpackaged. Meats also retain their juices, so there is little, if any, purge. The hermetic seals of vacuum packaging eliminate the mess of leaking packages. The longer display life significantly reduces stock-outs and markdowns, and enables the sale of specialty cuts. The centralized processing benefit of FreshCase® vacuum packaged meats eliminates the need for in-store meat cutting and packaging.
Developed for fresh beef, FreshCase® materials are available for many formats including forming and non-forming films, vacuum skin packaging, trays and semi-rigid films with VSP and ground beef chubs. The films run on horizontal, VSP and chub equipment. An EZ Peel® opening feature can be added which allows even the most form-fitting package to open effortlessly without knives or scissors.
Source: Curwood
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