Food & Drink Process & Packaging Issue 26 2019 | Page 19

Similarly, the packaging has followed packaging journey consideration months, packs which carry sustainable suit. of the factory or kitchen processes accreditations which fit into the end of needs to be considered, along with life options available, will increasingly No longer are retailers and food service the supply chain and regeneration become the norm and this is already operators satisfied that the packaging options. And, depending on the desired can hot hold a dish at 85 degrees for final presentation, there are multiple being incorporated into most hot-hold four hours, they are seeking a single packaging choices and varying board pack solution which can protect and options available. preserve the quality of a dish from the chilled, frozen or ambient fill at the point While heat is a critical element with of manufacture, through the supply hot food-to-go packaging, there are chain, to regeneration in-store via many more factors which need to microwave or oven, before being put into be considered in finding a suitable the hot hold cabinet and presented to packaging solution. the consumer in the best way possible. This ensures that the number of times At the point of sale, the packaging is the each dish is touched before reaching message and it is important that, while the consumer is kept to an absolute not always easy with hot food-to-go, minimum. the dish is presented well. Consideration also needs to be given to the point of packaging solutions. There is an appreciation that greater infrastructure is needed throughout the UK to enable consumers to dispose of their packaging effectively, particularly if we are to meet the 65% municipal waste target by 2035. Retailers and food service operators need to offer consumers clear guidance on the disposal route required to ensure that the final stage of the packaging lifecycle is carried out. Choosing the right packaging needs THE FOUR STAGES OF SELECTING THE consumption and potential for onward RIGHT HFTG PACKAGING SOLUTION transportation. expertise and support from a for hot food-to-go, the entire life cycle The point of disposal now plays a options to meet supply chain, point of of the product needs to be factored in, critical role, particularly as caterers, which can be broken down into four retailers and consumers, while seeking the materials and waste expertise stages; point of fill, point of sale, point of convenience, are also looking to mitigate to support a food service operator’s consumption and point of disposal. the environmental impact of their environmental goals. Essentially, when considering packaging manufacturer who has all the suitable sale and hot hold needs, along with packaging. Given the environmental When looking at the fill stage of the aspects of packaging waste in recent colpac.co.uk FDPP - www.fdpp.co.uk 19