Did you know that people have been freezing and preserving food since 1000 BC? It all started with the Chinese freezing goods in ice cellars. Today in America, we have taken this concept of freezing food items by Clarence Birdseye – the father of frozen food. Birdseye learned how to freeze food instantly and package it for transport without it getting spoiled. This skill is what we use today to freeze, package and transport millions of frozen goods. If you want to learn more about frozen food and food packaging, then read on.
Why is Packaging Frozen Goods Important?
Freezing food is a great way to preserve and maintain a food item’s color, texture, and flavor. It also helps to keep the nutrient value. Freezing food is also quick, efficient, and easy to carry out. Food items like fruits and meat contain enzymes that are always working. When at low temperatures, the activities of enzymes are reduced to an exceptional level and therefore prevent any chemical changes from taking place.
It’s also important to remember that the growth of microorganisms is retarded when in cold temperatures, thus preventing the food from spoiling. If you wish to keep the food fresh for a more extended period, then you need to ensure that the appropriate temperature is provided by the freezer. The ideal temperature in a freezer is 0 Fahrenheit. Be sure that the temperature is always constant in the freezer otherwise, and it will give rise to large ice crystals, which can alter the texture of the food, in particular the meat.
How is Food Packaged?
Merely freezing the frozen items will not be good enough; packing is a critical part too. There are several characteristics that a good packaging material should have, such as being moisture-proof, leak-proof, oil and water-resistant, and easy to fill seal and mark. In accordance with these characteristics, you can use rigid containers for packaging food. This includes plastic, glass, aluminum, and waxed cardboard. A great thing about them is that they are reusable. Cans can also be used for packaging. Bags, sheets, and laminated paper are also suitable for packaging. Always be sure that whatever packaging material you use can be labeled.
Why is Labeling Important?
Food labeling is critical. As a food producer, you are required by law to label your food products. Labeling is significant because it provides buyers with Dietary Advice, any allergens, and production details. All pre-packaged food, be it frozen or not should contain the following information on its label:
- The name of the food
- Ingredients
- Percentage of ingredients
- Instructions for cooking, opening, etc.
- ‘Use By’ or ‘Best Before’ dates
- Storage instructions
- Contact details
- Country of origin
More information can be added if desired, but the information above should always be there. Also, the labels and company logos allow people to recognize that they are purchasing goods from a trustworthy company.
How is Frozen Food Stored and Transported?
The best thing to do is to freeze food as soon as they are packaged. All freezers should be set to minus 10 Fahrenheit about 24 hours before food items are to be stored. Keep in mind not to overload any freezer since overloading can slow down the rate of freezing. To ensure that every food item is in the freshest of condition, always wash the freezers before storing food anew. These frozen foods are then transported by vehicle to supermarkets or shipped off in ships to other countries and delivered on ports so they can be distributed to the direct consumers.
