Elk Grove Village, IL – As demand from consumers for organic foods and beverages fuels growth in the $24.8 billion category, packaging innovator Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. is launching a new multilayer, high-barrier container and lidding film that extends shelf life without the need for preservatives. Clear Lam will feature the new Laminated Square Dip Package at the Produce Marketing AssociationSM Fresh Summit®, Oct. 16-18, in Orlando, Florida.
The new packaging utilizes High Pressure Pasteurization (HPP) to sterilize the product after filling and sealing to kill all pathogens and bacteria. Compared to traditional vacuum packaging, shelf life is extended two to three times over nonpasteurized products. Because the process does not use heat, it is less damaging to product integrity maintaining organic ingredients, taste and consistency.
Fresh produce is the top-selling organic category in retail sales, which grew by 11.4 percent in 2009 over 2008 sales.
“This new packaging provides processors and retailers with a value-added solution for organic dips that delivers added food safety while tapping into one of the hottest growth areas in the food and beverage industry,” said James Sanfilippo, president and CEO of Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. “In addition to developing a container with extended shelf life, we also paid close attention to other design enhancements to meet consumers’ demand for convenience and portability.”
The new Laminated Square Dip Package can be used for all organic dairy dips, as well as for a variety of other dips such as hummus, salsa and guacamole. The packaging size and design is intended to function for group use and individual consumption.
The packaging was created with a wider flange than traditional deli containers, providing an increased surface area suitable for the HPP sealing process while also being more durable. Other design features include rounded sides and a rounded base making it easier for consumers to scoop the contents.
Made with at least 25 percent Recycled Plastic content, the new packaging reduces the use of virgin polyester and, therefore, dependency on oil. And unlike glass jars, the thermoformed containers nest within each other, reducing the transportation cost of raw materials to the packer. Once the product is consumed, the package can be reused for storage by the consumer thanks to the rigid, reclosable lid.
Founded in 1969, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of rigid and flexible packaging materials for thousands of food, personal health care and other consumer products. With seven manufacturing facilities (four in the U.S. and three in China), Clear Lam employs 720 people. Vertically integrated from design to manufacturing, Clear Lam has the largest thermoforming platforms in the world.
Clear Lam is committed to following manufacturing procedures that meet the highest safety standards. The company is pursuing the Safe Quality Foods (SQF®) certification as part of the Global Food Safety Initiative. Clear Lam has achieved a Superior rating from AIB International® for seven consecutive years.
Clear Lam is committed to developing environmentally friendly packaging technologies and has three product lines within its Project EarthClear™ program: packaging made from Renewable Raw Materials, packaging made from Recycled Content and Lightweighting materials. Clear Lam is one of the world’s largest extruders and thermoformers of plant-based Ingeo™ PLA.
Source: Clear Lam