Resistance to temperature extremes
enables new polyethylene-coated paper to be used for heat-and-eat frozen foods. Single-portion pouched peas can be dropped into boiling water for eight to 10 minutes without sloughing or delamination of container, which withstands freezer storage equally well. Plump peas (lower photo) show no evidence of either freezer^dehydration or water soaking after storage and re-heating in hot water. The unit pack is easily torn open for serving. Five different frozen vegetables are currently being packed for the institutional trade by East Coast Marketers.
Heat-and-eat in paper
PHOTO SPENCER CHEMICAL CO.
A boil-resistant polyethylene coating on economical pouch stock solves cost and production problems and suggests mass marketing of frozen foods in portion packs
SJoil-in-the-bag foods are significantly nearer mass marketing with the introduction of pre-cooked frozen vegetables packaged in individual portions in an economical, new polyethylene-coated paper pouch. Launched by East Coast Marketers, Inc., Salisbury, Md., and aimed initially at the institutional trade, the new items may soon move on into consumer distribution and offer increased convenience in competition with conventionally packaged frozen foods.
This first commercial application of polyethylene-coated paper in packages requiring resistance to boiling water is reported to cost about one-fifth as much as comparable film pouches made of such boil-able material as laminated polyethylene-polyester. The secret is in the resin a medium-density polyethylene with good resistance both to heat and to the transmission of water vapor. The base paper
merely supports the plastic barrier material, but the combination has solved a critical sealing problem.
The five vegetables currently packed peas, green beans, whole kernel corn, lima beans and mixed vegetable-”are in marked contrast to the gourmet-type foods previously marketed in portion-controlled containers. Named "V for 1,"¯ these packaged products are said to represent the first attempt to launch conventional frozen vegetables as a consumer unit
MODERN PACKAGING