FDBusiness.com

TCL’s new technically advanced ovenable packaging films have been selected for a new range of bake-in-store, hot sandwiches and snacks available in Tesco. The printed films were chosen because of their innovative design and rigorous testing process with Smithers PIRA.

Managing Director Mike Golding explains “What look like simple ovenable films have taken years to be perfected and rigorously tested for performance and food safety. It’s not just the behaviour of the inks and substrate material together at high temperatures that matters; the laser micro perforations and the anti-mist coating both had to be verified and approved. We believe we are the first manufacturer to have achieved full certification for this type of advanced ovenable film.”

The precise Tesco specification is crucial to the performance of the films. The micro perforations provide the correct amount of open surface area for gas transmission; to facilitate steam escape during cooking but are small enough to protect the hot contents and keep them fresher for longer. The added anti-mist coating minimises condensation from products with higher moisture content.

The Tesco films enable pre-packed product to be delivered ready to cook in-store. The freshly cooked product is then available in hot cabinets ready to eat. The range includes breakfast goods baked in the morning and a range of newly cooked lunchtime products.

TCL Packaging was established in 1999 and is a UK based provider of printed flexible packaging films.