Crab comes in first reclosable retort bag

Food & Drug Packaging, August, 2004

What is being billed as the first retort pouch with a reclosable seal has hit the market as packaging for crabmeat.

Blue Star Food Products is distributing six varieties of its handpicked crabmeat in 1-pound pouches with reclosable zippers. The pouches, trade-named Zip'n Store, are from Pyramid Flexible Packaging, and the zippers are from Presto Products.

"There's no question that reclosable zipper pouch packaging is more appealing to many of the main customers--chefs and kitchen workers--because they are so easy to use," says Steve Harmell, vice president of marketing and sales for Blue Star. "They can zip a pouch open and zip it closed again, putting what they don't need back in refrigeration for future use."

The pouches were distributed starting in June to foodservice distributors, club stores and supermarkets.

Pyramid Flexible Packaging 800-261-0334; www.pyramidflexiblepackaging.com

Presto Products Co. 800-265-0750; www.fresh-lock.com