PA C K A G I N G
mean that many families need to
freeze products to avoid food going
to waste. When choosing packaging,
consider temperature resistance as a
necessity.
Getting the size right
Portion size is at the forefront of
every food manufacturer’s priorities
— it enables them to set nutritional
guidance, raw material orders and
the prices of their products. But,
what about the size of packaging?
Simple considerations, like whether
the package fits into a standard
domestic oven, can sometimes
be overlooked, but can lead to
disastrous consequences.
Let’s say you have launched a new
ready meal to the market. This
product has been designed to be
baked in the oven in twelve minutes
or microwaved in as little as four.
However, customers are complaining.
When cooking in a small-sized
microwave, the tray gets stuck on
each rotation. As a result, the food
inside is not being cooked correctly
and thoroughly.
A lukewarm microwave meal
might be a first world problem, but
this design flaw can damage the
AUTOMATED WEIGH PACKAGING SYSTEMS
FROM CONCEPT TO INSTALLATION
Tailored Systems by Local NZ Professionals
Whether you’re planning a new processing plant or updating an existing one, Wedderburn have
people throughout New Zealand and exceptional systems that will help you improve productivity and
profitability. We support you every step of the way with; initial consultation, engineering a system that
suits your production and budgetary goals, installation and ongoing maintenance.
For packaging systems that deliver results, contact your local Wedderburn team today 0800 800-379.
9 Linear Weighers
9 Multihead Weighers
9 Automatic Pouch & Bag Filling Machines
9 Automatic Form Fill & Seal Machines
9 Powder Filling Machines
9 Carton and Tray Assembly Systems
9 Infeed and Outfeed Conveyor Systems
9 In-Line Checkweighers & Metal Detection
Inspection Systems
9 Real-time Production Management Software
9 Productivity Reporting
9 Initial Consultation
9 Delivery & Installation
9 On-Site Training
9 Technical Support & Maintenance
NEW WEBSITE
Freephone 0800 800-379
www.wedderburn.co.nz | enquiries@wedderburn.co.nz
FT631
customers trust in your brand. Let’s
face it, if the consumer purchases
a meal for its microwaveability, but
can’t efficiently microwave the meal,
it is unlikely they will choose the same
product again.
Fit for purpose
A common mistake that
manufacturers make is assuming
the same packaging will be suitable
for every product, but that is not the
case. Let’s say a manufacturer is
releasing a range of three meals for
oven baking. If one contains heavier
ingredients, such as meat, it is likely
that the meal will require sturdier
packaging than the others.
While straight-to-oven trays would be
ideal for this range, the convenience
of this product would be diminished
if the aluminium bends and splits
under the weight of its contents.
Manufacturers should also consider
how the rigidity of the tray could
change during cooking. For example,
if the tray weakens after exposure to
high temperatures, it may need to be
made from stronger material to avoid
breakage when removing it from the
oven.
Ignoring this flaw could not only
create an awful mess for the
customer, but could cause injury if
hot contents were to splatter from the
tray. Packaging suppliers should be
able to advise on weight restrictions
of packaging to avoid this problem.
It’s also worth asking about additional
options that can alleviate these
issues, such as reinforced aluminium
or the addition of handles for steadier
handling.
Good ergonomics can be the
difference between a product’s
failure and success. Despite this,
poor packaging selection is all too
common in the food manufacturing
realm. Manufacturers would be
foolish to believe that the taste
of their product is the only factor
consumers care about. In fact,
today’s consumers want ease-of-use
during the entire cooking process
— from picking up the product in
the supermarket, to serving it onto
the plate.
Before selecting packaging for your
next product range, contact an
expert supplier for advice. Regardless
of the taste and quality of your
product, impractical packaging could
render your efforts as useless as a
chocolate teapot.
www.foodtechnology.co.nz 27
/www.wedderburn.co.nz
/www.foodtechnology.co.nz
link
