PACKAGING FILM

Pillow bags are the most popular packaging format for snacks world-wide.

Snacks are normally regarded as “impulse” products. According to recent survey, an attractive bag can weigh up to 50% when deciding to buy a bag of snacks for the first time.

Concerning the above, a BAG should offer the following characteristics:

• capability to attract consumers’ attention in terms of brand name, dimension, lay-out and colours;
• high barrier to humidity to keep the product fragrant and crispy as long as possible, as well as a high barrier to oxygen and UV rays, play an important role  in oil degradation which brings to rancidity. In other words, to grant the longest shelf life;
• the best protection of product integrity.

Generally speaking, the film is obtained by coupling different layers. Commonly used film is based on bi-oriented polypropylene, and it can also have a metalized internal surface, as a protection from gases and light. The degree of protection offered by a film is the result of a combination of choices: thickness of layers, possible presence of gas barrier layers, metallization, windows, colours.

However, given the design of the fryer, type of oil and process handling, the shelf life of a product mainly depends on the packaging film.

When the environment is characterised by critical conditions (high temperatures and humidity), it is recommended to place the packing machine in an air conditioned environment, and blow nitrogen gas inside the bag before sealing. To this purpose, a special device on the packaging machine and facilities for manufacturing nitrogen must be available.

Most typical shelf life for a packed pellet snack is about 6 months. Longer shelf life could be achieved by following all the suitable procedures mentioned here above.