Meal Prep Packaging

As consumers increasingly turn to ready-to-eat meals and subscription meal delivery services, meal prep businesses need packaging that keeps products fresh, protects them during transportation, and provides the convenience consumers expect.

Point Five Packaging specializes in Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) and Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP) systems designed to extend shelf life and maintain the quality of fresh meal components.

Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) uses vacuum-gas technology to create an atmosphere within the package that helps preserve freshness. Flexible equipment configurations can accommodate different meal formats and production requirements, including compact tabletop models for businesses with limited production space.

Key benefits of MAP include:

• Reduced food waste and spoilage for ingredients such as meat, dairy, and fresh produce
• Extended product freshness and shelf life
• Reduced plastic waste depending on the packaging configuration
• Improved on-shelf appearance and product presentation
• Flexible equipment options for different production volumes and footprints

Vacuum Skin Packaging (VSP) uses specialized film to securely seal food within a tray while removing oxygen from the package. Reducing oxygen exposure helps limit the conditions that contribute to microbial growth and oxidation.

VSP can help maintain the color, flavor, aroma, nutritional value, and appearance of packaged foods. Clear film provides excellent product visibility while helping control the movement of liquids within the tray, making it particularly useful for meat and seafood components.

VSP can also be combined with refrigeration, freezing, dehydration, and heat sterilization to further protect products. Microwave- and oven-safe packaging options provide additional convenience while helping protect meals throughout transportation.

Point Five Packaging works with meal prep businesses from initial packaging concepts through market launch. Our in-house demonstration lab also allows packaging solutions to be tested and evaluated throughout the development process.

Meal prep businesses need flexibility to accommodate different ingredients, portion sizes, dietary requirements, and production volumes. Point Five Packaging provides both manual and automated equipment that can be configured around these changing requirements.

Packaging equipment includes:

• Liquid & Solid Fillers: Provide fast, precise filling and portioning across a variety of containers and ingredients.
• Tray & Cup Sealers: Produce seal-only trays as well as vacuum-gas-flushed MAP packages.
• Sleeve Systems: Automatically apply paperboard sleeves over finished trays and cups for efficient, consistent presentation.

A broad range of packaging materials is also available to support different meal formats and storage or reheating requirements:

• CPET: Suitable for trays, cups, and containers used in freezers, microwaves, and conventional ovens, with a temperature range of approximately -40°F to 428°F.
• Film: Suitable for packaging meat, seafood, produce, snacks, and other meal components, with options available for microwave and conventional oven use.
• Aluminum: A strong, heat-resistant material well suited for trays and containers that may be heated in conventional ovens, microwaves, or grills.
• PETE: Commonly used for cold applications such as salads and available in standard or custom shapes for shelf, refrigerator, and freezer storage.
• PP: Suitable for microwave- and freezer-safe cups, trays, and containers, with a temperature range of approximately 32°F to 257°F.

Today’s meal prep businesses also serve increasingly diverse consumer needs, from organic ingredients to specialized dietary requirements. Flexible packaging systems allow producers to accommodate different meal components and formats while maintaining consistent quality and production efficiency.

Through advanced packaging technology, an extensive supplier network, and experience with MAP and VSP systems, Point Five Packaging works with meal prep businesses to develop shelf-life and packaging solutions around their specific products and production requirements.