The ready meals and fresh-cut produce market grows 6-8% annually in Italy. Correctly packaging these products means guaranteeing microbiological safety, adequate shelf life and attractive presentation on the shelf or in the chilled counter.
Packaging technologies for ready meals
Ready meals are packaged almost exclusively in trays: the format is visually informative, facilitates microwave heating and ensures cooking liquid distribution without spillage. The technologies used are MAP tray sealing and thermoforming.
- MAP tray sealer: pre-formed tray, film lid sealed in modified atmosphere
- Thermoformer: tray formed in-line, maximum productivity
- CPET tray: suitable for conventional oven and microwave
- PP tray: microwave and refrigerator, lower cost
- Aluminium tray: conventional oven, superior barrier
Fourth range: salads, vegetables and fresh produce
Fourth range includes fresh washed and cut vegetable products (salads, vegetables, herbs). Modified atmosphere packaging uses micro-perforated films that allow controlled gas exchange, keeping the product alive and fresh. CO₂ and O₂ concentration is calibrated to the specific vegetable's respiration.
- Salads and mixed leaves: micro-perforated film, passive MAP
- Cut vegetables: active MAP with calibrated N₂/CO₂/O₂
- Aromatic herbs: high water vapour permeability
- Shelf life: 5-10 days at +4°C with optimised MAP
Regulations for ready meals and fourth range
EC Regulation 852/2004 on food hygiene requires HACCP compliance throughout the process. For ready meals, labelling with ingredients, allergens, storage temperature and instructions is mandatory. Machines must be CE certified and meet construction requirements for food processing.
- EC Reg. 852/2004: hygiene, mandatory HACCP
- EC Reg. 1169/2011: mandatory allergen labelling
- Processing temperature: < +10°C for fresh products
- Traceability: packaging date, batch, best-before on every pack
Launching a ready meals or fresh-cut line?
We configure MAP tray sealers and thermoformers suited to your production, with technical support from design to start-up.
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