Simple Steps® Meal Packaging Solutions

Optimize product presentation, enhance freshness, and embrace sustainable practices with CRYOVAC® Simple Steps® meal packaging solutions.

 

Simple Steps® enhances food visual appeal by forming a tight, smooth skin around prepared items without crushing. Shape and color are maintained from the start, signaling high-quality ingredients and flavor. Vacuum sealing technology helps preserve freshness without the need for chemical food additives.

As a meal solution, Simple Steps® combines our CRYOVAC® brand Darfresh® VSP top film with our wide assortment of specialized trays, bowls, or plates, and available in a multitude of shapes, colors, and sizes. Crafted from high barrier, polypropylene materials, these trays create leak-proof, freezer-ready packaging that is visually enticing for consumers and safe for use in a microwave oven.

Simple Steps® trays are available with a variety of sustainability enhancements including a variety of curbside recyclable* or post-consumer recycled (PCR) content configurations. These solutions are ideal for omni-channel distribution, including retail, food service, vending, and e-commerce.

Features and Benefits

  • For fresh, frozen or frozen/slack meals and foods
  • Enables post-pasteurization (HPP and/or thermal) 
  • Leakproof, hermetic seals ensure freshness and reduce cross contamination risk
  • Stationary presentation with premium, gourmet product appearance
  • Easy-open for increased consumer convenience
  • Self-venting “steam-assist” technology helps disperse heat evenly while keeping moisture in
  • Vacuum seal reduces potential for ice crystal formation
  • Simple Steps VSP trays carry a RIC-5 designation
  • Trays can also contain post-consumer recycled content when requested
  • Runs on a variety of tray/skin equipment

Specifications

  • Complies with FDA requirements for food packaging, Letter of Guarantee available on request.
  • Specifications vary based on package type, substrate choice, and product.

Downloads

Get the most out of our solutions with these digital resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditional tray/lid meal packaging leaves an atmosphere, or headspace, between the lid and food where migration of moisture creates ice crystals when frozen.  With Simple Steps® vacuum skin packaging, there is no headspace, ice crystals do not form, and there is minimal opportunity for moisture loss. By optimizing food moisture prior to cooking, the steam-assist film allows steady, even heating in the microwave.

CRYOVAC® brand Simple Steps® packaging meets all requirements of U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) safety standards for plastic packaging used in a microwave oven. Products packaged in Simple Steps® or any other compatible package should carry a “Microwave Safe” imprint or label. Always check the package label before heating in a microwave.