Tag Archives: Frozen Food Packaging

Retort pouches

Retort Pouches – The Trend Setter In Packaging Industry

Flexible Packaging Material

The fast-changing consumer preferences are paving the way for shelf-stable products. For working professionals who often struggle with time crunches the availability of Ready- to-Eat packs is no less than a blessing. Now, these processed meals or snacks need foolproof packaging to ensure no compromise is made with the hygiene or nutrition of the food.

Over the years the food and beverage packaging has undergone a sea change. As per the latest trend, retort packaging is gaining ground. Revolutionizing the concept of food packaging, retort pouches are hogging the limelight owing to the convenience and quality assurance they offer.

Diving Deeper To Understand Retort Packaging 

Retort pouches were initially introduced by US Army for storing military rations in the 1970s and have since transformed food & beverage packaging in the Ready-to-Eat packaged food segment. These are flexible plastic pouches packed with already cooked or semi-cooked food which are sealed and subsequently sterilized. The finally prepared food packs enjoy a shelf life of up to 18 months without any preservatives and refrigeration.

One of the major highlights of retorting ready-meal packages is that both food & package are thermally processed together, which allows the filled packages to be commercially sterile. This means the food can be eaten directly without further cooking. Additionally, they are environmentally-friendly packing options as they require less energy to manufacture, process, transport and store than other kinds of packs like cans or jars. This contributes in minimizing the carbon footprint.

Similar to frozen food packaging, retort packaging is making remarkable in-roads in India, finding application not only in homes and canteens but also in fast-food joints and restaurants. They are emerging as handy meal options for armed forces and paramilitary forces deployed in remote places. Easy to carry and convenient to consume, retort packs can be used for a wide range of products like vegetarian items, non-vegetarian items, sauces, delectable deserts and more.

Tracking Popularity of Retort Packaging

With growing customer acceptance of processed food, the scope for retort packaging looks bright. The foolproof multilayer-barrier packs/pouches promise higher safety and hygiene standards to the food processing industry.

Benefits for Consumers

  • Maximum nutritional value is retained.
  • Taste, flavour and texture (chewiness, firmness and hardness) do not alter.
  • Flexible container is easy to open, handle and store.
  • No injury risks from can lids or broken glass
  • Quick to prepare and consume.

Benefits for Manufacturers/Retailers

  • Greater shelf stability without the need for adding preservatives.
  • Easy to store as no freezing or refrigeration is required by packers, retailers and consumers.
  • Pouches and containers do not corrode externally and there is a minimum of product–container interaction.
  • large surface area and roto A gravure printed graphics are plus points for branding.
  • Smallest amount of packaging material is required to pack same volume of product.
  • Reduced weight, storage space and logistics cost are added benefits.

 

Retort pouches are being viewed as a packaging solution that can enhance the commercial viability of the product. The process and technology involved boost the acceptability of the product both in terms of physicochemical and sensory properties leading to increased value addition, product diversification and better export promotion. Be it ready-to-eat meals or snacks packaging, retort pouches are certainly here to stay!  For more details contact us!

frozen food packaging

How Food Packaging is Instrumental to Your Sales?

Flexible Packaging Material

When it comes to impressing and influencing customers, significance of the right kind of packaging can hardly be overlooked. Often the consumer’s first introduction to the product, packaging today holds more relevance than merely a protective covering. It is a branding tool that helps establish and amplify one’s brand identity.

According to the findings of Ipsos, a leading market research company, seven in ten consumers agree that packaging design does influence their purchasing decisions. This includes various aspects of packaging such as material, colour, shape, weight, portability, reusability, and more. For instance, many prefer paper packs or cardboard boxes as these appear to be more attractive and creative to the consumers, and are eco-friendly too.

Be it frozen food packagingzipped snack pouches, or beverage containers, top-grade packaging has the potential to improve your brand’s visual appeal and grasp customer attention. This is the reason why the food industry today is stressing more on right packaging than ever before.

How Right Food Packaging Can Help Boost Sales:

  1. 1. Helps Maintain Brand Consistency

From the classic red & white script font of Coca-Cola to the iconic white & yellow wrapper with chubby girl imprinted on Parle G biscuit packs, packaging has been important in establishing brand consistency and creating connection to the brand’s key values.

A 2019 study showed that consistent brand presentation increased revenue by 33%. When you keep your branding consistent across your packaging, website, and social media, you tend to fair better in the market. Even the market veterans reinforce the belief that a strong and consistent visual identity helps consumers recognise your brand across product offerings and channels, allowing them to associate your brand with the qualities you want to convey.

  1. 2. Ensures Customer Convenience

Providing convenience to customers can be impactful in escalating your sales volume. Packaging that’s easy to handle always enjoys an upper hand. Right size, easy opening & dispensing, resealability, etc., are some of the packaging aspects that you need to factor in.

Know what your customers prefer and accordingly optimise the packaging pouch range to meet their needs. Do they use a zip lock function to open and reseal or do they prefer the one-time use of a carton to pour out the contents? Whatever packaging type you offer, make sure to inform your customer how to deal with it correctly. If unsure about relevant packaging for your product, consult a packaging expert such as Dot Packtech to choose the right kind.

  1. 3. Acts as a Medium to Dispense Information

Packaging can serve as the medium to transmit information, induce emotions, and propel action. Use it to give instructions, show ingredients, offer recipe tips, and more.

The information should be the culmination of clear and crisp text and suitable visuals that are easy to grasp. For instance, a biryani masala packaging pouch with instructions on how to use the ingredients helps even amateur cooks to get it right. This helps develop a connection with the customers, which in turn, earns their confidence.

  1. 4. Allows for the Right Product Positioning

How you position your product against your competitors can make a difference to your sales revenue. Work upon the point of difference/USP and communicate it. Is your product more environment-friendly? Is it cheaper than your competitor’s? Is it organic?

Whatever your USP is, you must communicate it properly. Use your packaging material to highlight the key differentiators that separate you from others. However, don’t go overboard with it. Be genuine and maintain relevancy to the product.

If you want to stand out in the market, choose the right packaging material that gives your brand enough scope to make a mark. Dot Packtech Industries is the brand you can trust for your packaging needs. The company offers top-notch customised packaging solutions that ensure your products can be marketed and distributed without any alteration or damage.

Whether you’re seeking side-sealed or bottom-sealed snack-packaging options or zipper pouches for eatables, Dot Packtech is your one-stop destination. Tie up with this reliable brand to ensure your products are packed in materials with longer shelf life, better protection, convenience, and excellent printing capabilities to reflect your brand image.

For more details, contact us today!