New pad for microwave and oven usage is world first, says firm
UK manufacturer, Elliot Absorbent Products, said it is targeting the ready meal sector with its new microwavable and oven ready combined absorbent, Dryline Duo.
The company said the pad is a non-stick heat resistant barrier film, which consists of propriety cellulose with low-level binder, and is fully compliant with EU and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food contact regulations.
Matt Hankins, managing director, Elliot Absorbent Products told FoodProductionDaily.com that the pad’s availability for oven and microwave functionality is unique.
“We are not aware of a similar product in the marketplace. This is a world first,” added Hankins.
He said that while there are a number of different types of ovenable pads, they are only available with aluminium topcoats and the disadvantage of these is that they are not microwavable.
“With the onset of polymer oven/microwavable combined trays, a pad was needed to fulfil both applications,” said Hankins.
He claimed that the pad can be heated within the tray and it is capable of withstanding over 200°C for one hour or ten minutes on full power microwaving.
To make packaged meat that looks more appealing to consumers, absorbent pads are added to soak up leaking blood.
Hankins added that liquid exudations from fresh protein food sources poses a significant bio-hazard in the form of heavy microbacterial contents, and as such absorbent pads can also form a defending barrier against the protein source being left in direct contact with the hazard, thus helping to extend shelf life and improve food safety.
He claims that the Dryline Duo is cost effective to manufacture and thus offers considerable savings for processors in comparison to existing aluminium film coated options.
The Dryline Duo is available worldwide in pad or reel format with 2700ml absorbency, but other grades are set to follow, said Hankins.
