Packaging and preservation
i) Based on your product produced for the Food Product Development
Task, complete the following:
Food product: Vegetarian Stir Fry Brown Rice Noodles
Provide a clear description of the preservation processes that could be used to
make the product
This product will need to be stored in a freezer at all times to prevent microbial and
enzymatic growth. It will initially be stored in the industrial freezer at a temperature of
about -35 degrees Celsius. It will then be transported to Woolworths stores across the
country, and it would still need to be stored in a freezing temperature. When it arrives at
the Woolworths stores, it will be stored in the freezer with a temperature of about -20
degrees Celsius. The Woolworths employees must use the First in, first out (FIFO) method,
where they place newly delivered products at the back and older products are placed in the
front to ensure the older products are bought first in order to reduce wastage. Once the
product is bought, they will be transferred to a home freezer with temperatures of around -
18 degrees Celsius.
Freezing is required as there are no additives in this dish to preserve it. After reheating this
dish, it’s appearance or taste will not change.
Describe the packaging and the aspects that make the packaging environmentally
friendly
The product will need to be packaged using a combination of primary, secondary and
tertiary packaging.
Primary packaging:
The product will be packaged in a PET 1 tray because it has strengthening chemicals in it to
prevent the plastic from melting in the microwave. These PET trays are recyclable and can
be used in the development of other products such as furniture. However, they are not
biodegradable, therefore it is important that they are recycled to reduce harm to the
environment.
Secondary packaging:
Secondary packaging will hold the primary packaging and it should be able to withstand
freezer temperatures. For this product, the secondary packaging will be the cardboard box
that holds the PET tray. Cardboard is easily recyclable and biodegradable, therefore it has a
very low impact on the environment. However, when biodegradable items end up in landfill,
it breaks down quicker than ordinary garbage does, and thus there is a more rapid release of
methane. Therefore, it is important that the cardboard is recycled to prevent further harm
to the environment.
The secondary packaging would contain all the information about the product. Such as:
Ingredients
Heating instructions
Nutrition panel
Packaging and preservation
Allergen advice
Servings
Country of origin
Tertiary packaging
The tertiary packaging for this product is the peel off plastic that covers the top of the PET
tray to provide food safety and extend the freshness of food. It is made out of low-density
polyethylene film (LDPE). This plastic is difficult to recycle as it causes damage to the
machinery. However, LDPE plastic is accepted in several soft plastics recycling programs.
When recycled, LDPE plastic can be made into plastic bags and water bottles.
