12 Different Types of Frozen Food Packaging
You might be surprised to learn that there are numerous ways to package frozen food. From the glossy sheen of shrink film to the sturdy assurance of glass, each type comes with its own set of benefits. Let's take a closer look at some of these packaging types, including wax coating, aluminium, and chipboard SBS.
Packaging Options
Shrink Film
In the world of frozen food packaging, shrink film's dominance is undeniable, with its use prevalent on millions of packaging lines worldwide, including those operated by the largest food packaging companies. Made primarily from polyolefin, this type of plastic film is a top choice due to its FDA food-safe approval and option for kosher certification.
Shrink film, particularly polyolefin, guarantees your frozen pies, pizzas, and veggies stay fresh and protected. It's ideal for sealing those boxed goodies, from baked goods to fruits.
Glass
While not as common, glass containers play an essential role in frozen food packaging, particularly for storing leftovers with an assurance of maintained quality and taste. The glass not only provides a touch of sophistication, but it also offers you the convenience of seeing what's inside.
One of the key benefits you'll appreciate about glass containers is their longevity. Unlike plastic, they won't deteriorate over time or transfer harmful chemicals into your food.
Wax Coating
Wax coating gives you the ability to take the container out of the shrink film-sealed cardboard box, puncture the film, and your meal is ready to be microwaved. No additional dishware is needed which means less cleaning for you.
The wax coating makes these containers microwave-safe, protecting the food from heat damage and preserving its flavour and texture. This makes them an excellent choice for frozen food packaging.
Aluminium
Aluminium foil pans are frequently used as frozen food containers, particularly for meals like lasagna. They're typically topped with a cardboard or waxed-coated cardboard lid that's held in place with foil tabs, providing a complete aluminium food packaging solution. Although aluminium is a recyclable packaging material, it can be challenging to clean used aluminium foil pans thoroughly for recycling.
Grease and food residue often stick, and despite scrubbing, you mightn't get a perfectly clean container. As a result, these pans often end up in landfills rather than being recycled, which raises questions about their role in sustainable packaging.
Chipboard SBS (Cardboard)
Chipboard Solid Bleached Sulphate (SBS) is an industry go-to. They're sturdy and durable, making them perfect for shrink wrap. Not only are these boxes food-safe, but they're also superb for visual branding. You've likely seen these boxes with vibrant, hunger-inducing images of the tasty contents inside.
Chipboard boxes offer a lot of flexibility in design, allowing for colourful branding imagery, text, and graphics. This makes them not only practical for freezing and transporting your food but also visually appealing.
Bags
Flexible bags are a versatile type of packaging designed specifically for freezing a wide array of foods. These frozen food bags are a type of flexible packaging, often made from food-grade plastics, foils, or other food-safe materials.
This packaging is meticulously designed for frozen food applications. These applications range from packaging frozen vegetables and fruits to pre-made meals and pasta. Even those unbranded clear bags you see packaging frozen baked goods like bread and rolls fall into this category.
Lid Film
Lid film is a food-grade plastic film used to create lids for various containers. These lidding films are FDA-approved and are essential in maintaining the freshness and quality of the frozen product inside. One advantage of lid films is that they offer full visibility, letting you see exactly what you're buying.
However, it's not just about function. Lidding films also provide an excellent opportunity for branding. High-quality printing can be applied to these films, allowing brands to showcase their logo and other graphic design elements. This way, they catch your eye in the frozen food aisle, making you more likely to choose their product. So, lid films play a dual role in frozen food packaging: they protect and promote.
Thermoforming Film
High-barrier thermoforming film maintains its own unique features that guarantee your food remains fresh and appetising. This flexible packaging is made from advanced plastic resins, specifically designed to create a sturdy yet adaptable film. What sets thermoforming film apart? It's all about its superior strength and puncture resistance. You'll notice an ultra-glossy sheen that not only looks attractive but also offers enhanced protection against scent, taste, and UV light.
Available in various gauges, high-barrier thermoforming films uphold the quality of your food products. It offers better film memory, retaining its shape even when stretched or bent. Essentially, thermoforming film takes frozen food packaging to the next level of preservation and presentation.
IQF Polyethylene
Beyond the domain of thermoforming films, there's a different player in the frozen food packaging game: IQF polyethylene. Standing for 'individually quick frozen,' IQF polyethylene helps maintain the integrity of your food's cell structure. How does it work? Your food is wrapped in IQF polyethylene and then subjected to a blast freezer.
This isn't your average household freezer, but a machine that chills at about 40 degrees below zero Fahrenheit. This rapid freezing guarantees minimal damage to the food's cell structure, keeping it fresh and delicious.
Skin Film
Skin film is a game-changer in the frozen food packaging industry, especially when it comes to wrapping seafood. This specialty film is engineered to uniformly wrap and seal products to a printed skin board or corrugated cardboard plate. It's the go-to packaging for salmon, trout, and other various types of frozen seafood.
The beauty of skin film is in its adaptability. It tightly encases the seafood, creating a second skin that protects the product from external elements and helps maintain its freshness. This sealing process also allows the natural shape of the seafood to be showcased, making your frozen seafood look appealing even while inside the package. It's an innovation that combines practicality with aesthetics.
Tin Cans
Tin cans have long been a leading choice for many, despite their lack of economic viability for smaller operations. These robust containers, hailed for their durability and longevity, have ruled the industry for years. However, they may not be the most economical choice for your operation.
The investment required to package frozen food in tin cans can sometimes outweigh the benefits, especially for smaller businesses. While tin cans guarantee that the food inside remains well preserved, the cost of production and recycling could be a burden on your budget.
Pouches
Flexible pouches are an effective alternative for your frozen food packaging needs. These pouches offer a lightweight, compact solution that can drastically reduce shipping costs. As a frozen food brand, it's essential to adapt to cost-effective, sustainable practices, and flexible packaging fits the bill.
Unlike rigid packaging, pouches are easy to transport, store, and handle. They're also environmentally friendly, which is a selling point for eco-conscious consumers.
Types of Frozen Food That Can Be Packaged
Frozen Meats & Seafood
Often, you'll find a variety of proteins like beef, poultry, and fish within the frozen food industry, all requiring special packaging that stands up to freezing temperatures, maintains freshness, and wards off food spoilage. This type of packaging often includes materials like plastic films and vacuum-sealed bags. These frozen food containers are essential for keeping your meats and seafood in prime condition. They guard against ice crystals and preserve texture and flavour.
Ready-to-eat Frozen Meals
In today's fast-paced world, ready-to-eat frozen meals have become a staple in many households, necessitating packaging that's as practical as it's protective. When packaging frozen food, it's crucial to guarantee that it displays nutritional information and heating instructions, making it user-friendly.
Frozen Vegetables & Fruits
Packaging for frozen fruits and vegetables must guard against cold air fluctuations, ensuring the products remain as nutritious and tasty as their fresh equivalents. Options like frozen food tray packaging come in handy here. Additionally, given the growing environmental concerns, sustainable packaging for frozen foods is gaining traction. It's not just about keeping food fresh; it's also about keeping our planet healthy.
Frozen Desserts
When it comes to packaging frozen desserts like sorbets and ice creams, you'll find that it's about more than just keeping the product cold. The packaging designs for these delightful treats play an essential role in preserving their delectable qualities and stimulating repeat purchases.
Baked Goods
Packaging plays a vital role in preserving the quality of frozen baked goods, ranging from bread and pastries to pizza dough and pie crusts. They require specific attention to prevent drying out and food spoilage. That's where wax-coated paper and plastic containers come into play. They help preserve the taste and texture of these foods, as if they're freshly baked.
Factors To Consider When Selecting The Type of Frozen Food Packaging
Selecting the right packaging for your frozen food involves taking into account several key factors, such as material durability, cost-effectiveness, and consumer appeal. It's not just about what looks good; the packaging of frozen food should also protect your product from damage and maintain its quality throughout distribution and storage. Another aspect to take into consideration is the environmental impact of your packaging. Customers are increasingly interested in sustainable options, so using recyclable or biodegradable materials can boost your brand's image.
Furthermore, your frozen food packaging should be appealing to your target consumers. It should stand out on the shelf and clearly communicate what your product is about. Think about colours, design, and typography.
Don't forget about the practical side. Your packaging should be easy to open and reseal if necessary. And, of course, it should meet all health and safety regulations. By taking account of these factors, you can make an informed decision when selecting frozen food packaging. Our 'Complete Guide to Frozen Food Packaging' can help you make this decision!
Partner With Us for Custom Frozen Food and Packaging
Boost your frozen food packaging with Pouches.co.uk's expert packaging solutions. For enquiries or design assistance, call us on 01902 243535, or request a sample pack to experience our quality.