PACKAGING SOLUTIONS Delivering DURABILITY Processors strike a functional balance with bone-in packaging BY KEITH LORIA | meatpoult r y@sosland.com T Durability is key when packaging bone-in meats. raditionally, when a bone-in cut of meat is purchased at a meat counter, it is wrapped in thick, but not impenetrable, butcher paper. Yet, that ubiquitous paper package can leave consumers with leaking bundles that are not sanitary or easy to store or freeze for later use. From a marketing perspective, bone-in meat and poultry from self-serve, cold cases need to attractively represent the products to consumers without the risk of puncture or opening. The 2020 Power of Meat report highlighted that " the continued growth of online purchases may require packaging innovations aimed at optimal shipping properties to minimize product damage. " 68 MEAT+POULTRY | 09.21 | www.meatpoultry.com Bone-in meat products can be especially difficult to package because the pointed edges of the bones often puncture plastic and paper barrier packaging. Using thicker gauge plastics as a solution can make plastic packaging opaque and hard for consumers to see the meat or poultry they are choosing to purchase. Packaging companies are innovating by using stronger plastics that still allow consumers to view the product clearly while relying on tighter seals that keep the integrity of the packaging, so products don't leak and stay fresh longer. Packaging companies are making products and equipment that bring efficiency from the packing lines to the grocery store. Vladimir - stock.adobe.comhttp://www.meatpoultry.com