Ready to Cook Foods- What to Consider While Packing Them?
Published on: Nov 7, 2021
In this busy schedule, people are looking for simpler and easy cooking approaches. Ready-to-cook foods (RTC) thus today have gained major attention among the new generations. RTC foods are those foods that include all the necessary ingredients where cooking or little amount of preparation is essential based on the processes listed on the package. Some of the ready to cook food is pasta products like macaroni, noodles, packaged cooking dough, etc. Today, ready-to-cook foods are becoming popular because they save time, effort, are nutrient-rich, available at ease, safer, and are convenient to use. Based upon the instructions written on the package the ready-to-cook foods must be prepared. In this blog, we will be discussing the packaging essentials of ready-to-cook foods.
1. Moisture Content
Depending upon the moisture content, ready to cook foods are classified as:
● Low Moisture Type of Food
These types of foods have very low moisture and equilibrium relative humidity (ERH). Moisture content is about 1 to 5 percent. ERH is 18 to 20%. So, here we have to consider the moisture
vapor transmission rate (MVTR) and it should be 1g/m2 at 24 hours.
● Medium Moisture Type of Food
Here the moisture content is about 6 to 20 percent and ERH is 65 percent. Here the MVTR requirement is less stringent.
● High Moisture Type of Food
Here the moisture content is up to 20 to 60 percent and ERH is about 85%. Plastic forms of materials like low-density polyethene are permeable to moisture and thereby not suitable for packaging RTC products. The ready-to-cook foods undergo thorough sterilization and a good form of packaging is done in cans, packs, and containers. A better form of processing is done on medium and high moisture food with better packaging and preservation in demand.
2. Oxygen Permeability
RTC foods usually may contain ingredients and fats that could get oxidized. When the oxygen gets in contact with the packed food, many changes occur. So the packaging material should
allow a low form of oxygen permeability
3. Permeable to Nitrogen
To protect the food from moisture or oxygen, the food packaging usually takes place in the atmosphere of nitrogen. The nitrogen permeability of the packaging material must be made low
to prevent its escape to the atmosphere.
4. Oil Resistance Properties
RTC foods may contain oil and fat. While packaging, these ingredients should not create adverse effects. HDPE and LDPE are not good for packaging RTC foods. Cellophane, ionomer films, polypropylene, and polyester films are better for packaging. Also, the gas permeability of the package used must be minimized to avoid flavor loss. Entry of oxygen should also be
5. Light Sensitivity
The light could also cause oxidative changes in the flavors of the food. So, make use of opaque packaging materials like aluminum foils, cans for the best protection from sunlight. Pigmented plastics and metalized polyester are good alternatives.
Why Choose Elmart?
Elmart is known for being ready to cook foods Filipino, Japanese and Chinese food. It is the best destination to buy fresh noodles online, other ready to cook, frozen food, snacks, desserts, dim sum, and dumplings. With proper packaging material and cooking instructions, our products are always safe to use and consume. We have a hygienic and fast frozen food delivery service all over the UAE. We come with many offers, new varieties, and discounts for our customers.
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