Tamper-evident packaging may not be the first thing retailers, suppliers or consumers think about when looking at or handling fresh or prepared foods, but it’s important nonetheless.

“With all the recent publicity in the news regarding food safety concerns, our customers are placing emphasis on limiting any possibility ofcontamination from tampering before sales to the final consumer,” says Jack Tilley, market research manager for Inline Plastics Corporation. “While all foods fall under these concerns, tamper-evident packaging from fresh perishable foods is of keen interest.”

Inline has long offered its SquareWare and RoundWare, complete with Safe-T-Fresh technology, for customers looking for tamper-evident options. Recently, however, the company noticed some needs throughout the industry.

“Some of the present products on the market had leakage problems, both during transportation from the processor to the store, and on the shelf at the retailer,” says Sarah Hobson, product manager for Inline.

That pushed Inline to develop the PagodaWare line of tamper-evident packaging, which was released in September. According to Hobson, the design improves the leak resistance of the container while also creating a sturdier base. The end consumer also gets a sense of security with Inline’s tamper-evident technology.

“This was a unique design compared to our other product lines,” Hobson says. “But with the teamwork of everyone involved in the development and introduction, we were able to meet our customers’ demand for the product.”

The PagodaWare line differs from other Inline tamper-evident products in that it allows the consumer to experience a 360-degree view of the enclosed food. This is made possible with clear walls on the base and the lid of the packaging.

Clean and clear

When it comes to packaging for breads — either produced in offsite bakeries or instore — clean and clean-looking packaging is the winning trend in today’s market, according to Dennis Gunnell, vice-president of sales and marketing for Formost Fuji.

“Bread bags are going to be a clearer look, a cleaner look,” Gunnell says. “People want to see the product and feel good about what’s inside.”

The added bonus of tamper evidence without adding bulky layers is available with flow wrapping. Formost Fuji’s horizontal flow wrappers and box-motion sealers create clear seals on both sides of the loaf. Machines in the past fused several layers of material to create a seal that needed to be torn apart to be opened. This wrapper creates a transparent seamless lock to the end of the package that’s easy to open.

Burford Corp., meanwhile, offers its tape closure system for tamper evidence and resealability.  A paper backing on the tape must be torn for the bread back to be opened, but consumers can reuse the adhesive to close the bag again. This extra layer of protection provides tamper evidence without overpackaging.

“With the taper, the easy thing about it, you see that you’ve broken the paper seal, and you have the tape to reclose it,” Burford’s Mitch Lindsey tells Baking & Snack. “The easy thing about the sealer is it’s perforated, and it just zips right off.”