TETRA PAK ASEPTIC PROCESSING AND PACKAGING
By Pete Maletto
Jan 18, 2007 - Tetra Pak technology is continuing its mainstream acceptance with consumers and growing at astronomical rates. For years the strange looking packaging had a taboo here in the US, but consumers are now starting to realize what's inside tastes pretty good, and in fact it's good for you.
So what is the reason why a Tetra Pak ready to drink protein shake (for instance) tastes better than any other protein based beverage in a can? Simple, the food never gets overprocessed because of their proprietary aseptic technology.
The list of benefits in formulating foods with tetra pak packaging is a pretty long, but the worldwide success of Tetra Pak really lies in the benefits of its aseptic technology. Aseptic technology is a gentle way of processing and packaging liquid food that keeps food safe, fresh and flavorful for a year. The Tetra Pak process eliminates the usual burning and overcooking in foods and beverages that are packaged in general method packaging and the process is the reason why foods in this type of packaging just tastes better.
The best part is that when utilizing the Tetra Pak sterile packaging in your products you no longer need preservatives. Since the consumer has its doubts with artificial preservatives to begin with this is a nice marketing advantage. In fact, one of the big stories in 2006 is the presence of benzoates in beverages that need preservatives. Using benzoates to preserve beverages has now been posed as a clear health threat as levels of benzene are detected in foods using these preservatives (sodium benzoate).
Tetra Pak avoids all of this negativity because its innovative packaging solution requires no need for these preservatives. And yes you can advertise on the package, "preservative free" and the consumer has a much better chance of buying your product over the competitor.
HOW TETRA PAK ASEPTIC TECHNOLOGY WORKS
The principle behind Tetra Pak aseptic technology is simple but profoundly different from any other food packaging system. Here’s how it works:
The food or beverage is formulated in a mixing chamber where it is blended to provide uniformity. It is then tasted it to make sure the QC is up to standard. After the go ahead, the food or beverage is flash pasteurized in a sterile chamber, then filled into sterilized packaging and sealed so that nothing bad gets in and nothing good gets out.
The result is fresh, pure, nutritious food that stays safe and delicious for months without preservatives or refrigeration. The entire process is continuous and clean, and it takes place in a single space-efficient machine.
Aseptic technology is a major way that Tetra Pak “protects what’s good" and in the age of functional foods and beverages, Tetra Pak is leading the way in food and beverage packaging.
BENEFITS OF TETRA PAK PACKAGING FOR YOUR COMPANY
Every manufacturer is fighting for shelf space for their food or beverage and the refrigerated section is even worse. With the major food and beverage players dominating these limited shelf spaces, Tetra Pak gives all the little guys another chance at "making it."
Tetra pak packaging gives everyone an opportunity to place their low acid products in non refrigerated areas of the store. Tetra pak's cutting edge packaging also makes consumers curious about trying the product because the packaging has been shown in focus group testing to have a special kind of appeal that consumers are interested in. The ability to place unique and creative graphics on the many shapes of Tetra Pak packaging provide shelf presence like no other.
Then of course, the big benefit is storage. While most low acid foods need a refrigerated warehouse to store their product which is really expensive, Tetra Pak packaged foods and beverages just need any old place to be stored.
CONSUMER BENEFITS OF TETRA PAK PACKAGING
One of the benefits of tetra pak packaging for the consumer is the convenience. Since Tetra Pak foods and beverages can be found anywhere in the store, consumers find what they want and when they want them and of course they travel really well. I personally carry tetra pak packaged products with no worries of the packaging breaking in my bag and giving my laptop computer a protein shake bath.
While the new consumer trends are all natural and functional foods, Tetra Pak leads the way in this area. Like I stated above you don't need preservatives and natural flavors survive the flash heat process better than the general can retort processes. We can basically design a product with an all natural edge to it and if your adding functional ingredients you can expect their active ingredients to be present after packaging is complete rather than overprocessed and burned away.
FORMULATING TETRA PAK PRODUCTS WITH A TASTE ADVANTAGE
The nutritional beverage category is one of the fastest growing segments in the food industry today. With the growth in the aging population and the rising demand for health supplements and nutritional products, manufacturers are realizing the power of nutritional beverages for the mainstream consumer.
Formulation of these beverages in have provided a large advantage for people using them.
a Liquid dietary supplements
a High protein / Specialized meal replacements
a Weight management beverages
a Sport and fitness drinks
a Other nutrient-based liquid products
PTM Consulting can help companies formulate new nutritional beverages with Tetra Pak and work with dairy, juice and other beverage companies to enhance the nutritional value and safety of their existing products.
PTM Consulting prefers Tetra Pak's aseptic technology to provide convenient and portable cartons that suit the busy lifestyle of today’s health-conscious consumer. We can develop any new product or change any existing sku for your company from start to finish, using the tetra pak benefits that can give you an edge over your competitors. PTM Consulting is a certified consultant for Tetra Pak global.
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