Pacific Foods and Tetra Pak launch carton meals
Pacific Foods has partnered with Tetra Pak to launch All Natural Pasta O’s and All Natural Mac & Cheese products packaged in Bisphenol-A free, retortable liquid cartons.
Tetra Recart is designed for shelf-stable products traditionally filled in cans, glass jars or pouches (foods like vegetables, beans, tomatoes, pet food, soups and sauces). Food is sterilized inside the package and stays fresh for up to 24 months.
Tess Villas, senior brand manager, Meals & Sides, Pacific Foods, said the company is seeing a rise in the number of retailers who want to switch their products from cans to the Tetra Recart package.
“Tetra Recart cartons have a thin profile and a very high ratio of surface area to volume,” she said.
“When retorting the carton, the heat penetrates the food much more quickly when it only has to reach the inside of the thin profile as opposed to a much larger mass in a round can.
“The result is less overcooking and better moisture retention. This also allows the product to maintain its natural texture, fresh taste, and delicate flavor nuances.”
Tetra Recart has six layers from the inside; polypropylene, aluminium foil, PP, paperboard, PP, and lacquer. It is made from 65% paperboard.
Pacific Foods’ new products are available in a 13.5-oz carton with a tear-off, laser-perforated closure strip on its top for easy opening. The company is based in Oregon, US.
