Manufacturing frozen goods is an art in and of itself. Figuring out how to preserve the quality and freshness of baked goods, fruits, and vegetables at freezing temperatures is a careful process requiring plenty of trial and error.
But all of that careful work can be undone with the wrong packaging! Frozen goods packaging plays a major role in preserving the quality of these products, providing everything from freezer burn protection to temperature control. Read on as we unpack the essential role frozen goods packaging plays in getting your products to your consumers in peak condition.
Freezer Burn Protection
Freezer burn is one of the most common issues plaguing supermarket frozen goods. After a long time spent at the bottom of a chest freezer, vegetables and fruit can leak moisture and freeze dry.
While this doesn’t sound too bad on the surface, this phenomenon actually creates dry, discoloured spots on the surface of frozen products. This negatively impacts the quality of the product, either discouraging customers from selecting it or harming customer satisfaction once they take it home.
Using materials like vacuum-sealed bags or tightly-sealed plastic bags can prevent this kind of moisture leaking and refreezing, keeping freezer burn out of your produce.
Barrier Against Contamination
Like most other foods, frozen foods need protection against external contaminants. Your products are likely to encounter things like moisture, oxygen, chemicals, dust, and bacteria on their way to their final destination. To preserve the quality, shelf-life, and safety of the foods, it’s important that these contaminants are repelled.
This is where thin polyethylene or polypropylene films win the day. Moisture-sealed and airtight packaging that includes this material is an excellent way to keep goods pristine.
Temperature Regulation
For frozen goods, one of the worst things that can happen is if the product defrosts and is refrozen during transportation or storage. Not only does refreezing impact the taste and texture of the frozen goods, but it also introduces food safety concerns. Freezing does not sterilise foods, so thawing can create an ideal environment for unsafe bacteria to grow unchecked.
Insulating the food inside the packaging can prevent this from happening, helping the goods maintain a stable temperature. We usually recommend adding insulating materials like multi-layered films or foam inserts to help contents stay cold for longer than they usually would.
Durability During Transportation
Many frozen products will travel for a long time before reaching their final destination. With all this handling and a prolonged period in storage, some companies struggle with damaged or mishandled goods arriving at designated stores. Over time, the costs of these mishandled goods can add up to impact your bottom line, even contributing to a decline in brand reputation.
Choosing the right frozen goods packaging can make a real difference here. Rigid plastic containers and flexible laminated pouches are ideal for standing up to some of the rough handling that characterises the food transportation industry.
Convenience for Consumers
As with any kind of packaging, it’s important that frozen goods be both delicious and easy to use once they make it to a customer’s home. This is especially true for frozen goods packaging, which needs to slot easily into a crowded freezer and protect its contents even after being opened and closed multiple times.
Over the years, we’ve found that easy-to-open resealable bags and perforated plastic pouches make portion control much easier for consumers. People can use as much as they need while keeping the rest safely stored away for next time.
Differentiation in the Deepfreeze
If you’ve ever struggled to find a product that you know you love in the freezer section of a grocery store, then you know how tough it can be. The freezer section is often crowded and even visually obscured, thanks to the fogged glass of the freezer doors.
Your frozen goods packaging should take this into account, showcasing your brand to proudly differentiate it from your competitors. The shape of the packaging can even make a difference here, as rigid packaging is often easier to find in the freezer section.
At the end of the day, frozen goods represent one of the most popular and convenient choices for consumers who want access to fresh foods without any hassle. As a frozen goods producer, the quality of your packaging is vital.
High-quality frozen goods packaging protects the food from bacterial contamination, helps stabilise the internal temperature, and even makes it easier for consumers to find your product in a crowded aisle.
With all this in mind, it’s important to work with a team that can help you navigate the safety and quality guidelines in this sector with ease. Luckily, we can help with that.
Work with Allflex, creators of the #1 packaging for sub-zero temperatures.
Searching for frozen goods packaging that will help you put your product’s best foot forward? Give the very best to your consumers with high-quality custom packaging from Allflex.
Our in-house design team is on-hand to help you create the frozen packaging of your dreams. Simply reach out today to book your initial consultation.