What happens when you open a container of yogurt or unbox a TV dinner? You’ll find a food packaging seal known as lidding film. Food packaging experts rely on this seal to prevent contamination and other safety concerns for consumers.
If you’re in the food industry and aren’t entirely familiar with this flexible packaging material, you’ve come to the right place. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about this essential feature.
What Is Lidding Film?
Lidding film in food packaging refers to the flexible seal that covers containers. You may find it on a wide range of products, such as:
- Packaged deli meats
- Tubs of yogurt
- Cartons of soup
- Microwave dinner trays
It’s not just food manufacturers that utilize this type of barrier protection. Seals also come with certain pharmaceuticals or consumer products.
The main purpose of the seal is to lock in freshness, though it also helps prevent leaks. In some cases, suppliers use the film for their own benefit. It can be the perfect space to expand one’s branding and provide important product information.
How Lidding Film Has Evolved Over Time
Packaging liquid, frozen, and perishable food items has its challenges. Suppliers tried many alternatives before lidding film food packaging emerged as a solution. The rising demand for ready-to-eat meals, single-serve products, and other convenient foods forced manufacturers to develop new materials that enhance freshness and accessibility.
New sealing technology allows manufacturers to broaden their product packaging. Today, there are several forms of lidding film, each of which offers unique benefits. Modern advances now include:
- Anti-fogging seals: You won’t have to worry about moisture forming inside the container with this specialized seal over the product.
- High-oxygen films: Some products call for modified atmosphere packaging with a greater concentration of oxygen. The lidding film prevents the gas from escaping.
- Freezable films: You’ll find a freezable film on select products within the frozen food aisle. It withstands the temperature to avoid compromising the food’s quality.
- Ovenable lidding film: Does a food need to be cooked directly inside the tray? It will likely feature this barrier protection that resists extreme heat.
- Self-venting seals: When you warm up a product with this type of lidding film over it, steam can escape the container.
Facilities may rely on several of these options, depending on the products they distribute. For example, a plant may package fresh produce and frozen meals. The containers with produce would need an anti-fogging lid to prevent excess moisture, while the frozen meals likely need a freezable film with heat-resistant or self-venting properties.
The Use of Lidding Film in the Food Industry
Lidding film in food packaging serves several purposes. It prevents moisture loss and contamination, which ultimately helps extend the shelf life of perishable items. You’ll find this special barrier on several products in grocery stores, such as:
- Dairy: A synthetic film often separates the lid of a container from the product inside, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, or sour cream.
- Meat: Raw meat and packaged deli products alike will feature a seal for optimal freshness.
- Produce: Fruits or other packaged produce often have a breathable film, which differs from a heat seal layer you’d find on other products.
- Snacks: The next time you bust open a can of stacked potato chips, you’ll have to remove the seal that keeps the snack from going stale.
Materials Commonly Used in Lidding Film Food Packaging
The type of food lidding film used depends on the product it’s protecting, as well as the material it’s made of. Common types of lidding film materials include:
- Polyethylene terephthalate: Also known as PET, this plastic material offers strong protection. It’s ideal for products with high barrier needs.
- Polyethylene: Basic polyethylene is more flexible. It’s known for having a soft peel so consumers can easily access their food items.
- Polypropylene: Manufacturers primarily use polypropylene on packaged frozen dinners like microwavable meals. The seal is heat-resistant, making it perfect for products that you cook in the oven or microwave.
For many manufacturers and consumers, sustainability is taking precedence. Thankfully, eco-friendly alternatives are available. Consider using a paper-based seal rather than relying on synthetic materials.
Many of these films are compostable, so you can rest easy knowing that you’re not harming the environment. Of course, the type of lidding film food packaging you select ultimately depends on the products you distribute.
Assessing the Strength of Lidding Film
When it comes to food packaging, you need secure solutions that hold up as your product moves through the supply chain. Think about the potential consequences if a seal should break during transport:
- Leaks: When food seeps out of its package, it can create a mess and make the product unusable.
- Contamination: The risk of contamination is even greater with a broken seal. Products can spoil quickly or even cause consumers to become sick.
- Financial loss: Impacted products may not be safe for consumers, leading suppliers to miss out on revenue.
- Change in brand image: People might be less apt to purchase products from brands with packaging issues.
You’ll need reliable lidding film food packaging solutions to avoid these issues. Peelable materials might be preferable for consumers, as long as they offer optimal protection and freshness. A seal’s integrity often varies by its design, material, and application.
Tamper-Evident Food Packaging Solutions
What if someone tampers with a product before a consumer purchases it? One of the biggest benefits of food lidding films is how easily you can detect any evidence of tampering.
The design takes the guesswork out of finding issues with the item. With a quick glance, you can tell if someone has broken the seal and potentially spoiled the product.
Exploring Resealable and Easy-Open Films
Resealable films are more prevalent within the food industry, as they enable consumers to enjoy multiple servings of a product without compromising its taste or quality. Certain snacks or packaged deli meats may feature a barrier for superior freshness. By zipping the package back together or pressing down on an adhesive film, people can preserve the product and experience the same great taste the next time they take it out.
Performance and Sustainability Considerations
If you’re looking to improve your automated packaging system and retain loyal customers, you have to think about the sustainability of lidding film food packaging. More and more consumers are choosing to support businesses that promote sustainable measures, and the food industry is no different.
Cut down on plastic use and make your operations more eco-friendly by choosing recyclable or compostable lidding films. You’ll make a significant environmental impact while maintaining your product’s safety and quality. This simple change could also help you stand out from the competition and grow your customer base.
For manufacturers, striking the perfect balance of product protection, overall shelf life, and sustainability can seem daunting. Investing in eco-friendly lidding film food packaging can help you achieve this goal.
Explore More Food Production Solutions With TDI Packsys
Do you want to learn about other innovations taking the food production industry by storm? TDI Packsys has your solution. We offer a wide range of cutting-edge products, including:
Why wait to take advantage of our services? Call 877-834-6750 to speak with an expert.
