Cool New Trays For Hot Meals

3rd September 2008, 11:33am

New packaging solution for senior meals Safe to handle, secure in transit, strong environmental credentials

An innovative new packaging solution which has captured more than 70% of the US senior meals market has now been launched in the UK. Known as OliPak, from Oliver Products, it offers a proven solution for the packaging and delivery of senior meals in environmentally-friendly paper trays which stay cool to the touch but bring freshly sealed, hot food straight to the table.

The Olipak system combines a flexible selection of multi-compartment trays with a range of simple-to-use sealing machines – supplied free of charge to tray users. These are ideal for use in senior meal kitchens operated by UK local authorities. Oliver has been serving the food sector for more than seventy years and research across the USA reveals that the new senior meals system is by far the preferred choice of professional meal providers and their clients.

Emphasising the safety benefits and green credentials for local authorities and private sector meals providers, Peter Prior, International Market Development Manager for Oliver Products said, "Conventional packaging for meals-on-wheels typically comprises aluminium trays with crimped cardboard lids which are prone to leakage as well as being very hot to touch – a real safety problem for the elderly. In addition, such trays have high environmental impacts in manufacture, shipping and disposal. Our new product overcomes all of these negative issues."


The new Olipak trays are manufactured from paper pulp obtained from sustainable sources. The food contact surface is lined during manufacture with a thin gauge polyester film to provide a safe barrier between the food and the tray which is recyclable.

And because safety is paramount when supplying hot food to senior citizens, the Oliver solution has been developed to ensure the food stays hot whilst the tray remains cool to the touch. This gives the elderly confidence in handling the meal as soon as it is delivered. Food packaged using the Oliver system can be consumed direct from the tray, on the lap, for those who find it difficult to move to a dining table or to decant the food to a plate.

Senior meals providers switching to the Oliver system also benefit from a simple-to-use sealing machine in a size which suits every need. This means a safe, leak-proof film lid can be securely fixed as soon as the tray is filled. The film adheres to the rim of each tray as well as to the edges of each compartment to prevent spillage of one part of the meal into the other during transit. In spite of the secure seal, the film can then be quickly and easily removed immediately prior to consumption.

The secure film lid keeps in freshness and nutrition. It helps the meal stay hot and retains moisture for improved taste and texture. Oliver can also provide an advanced film formulation with invisible micro-perforations which release any excess steam during cooking.

Trays come in black or cream, shallow or deep fill and in one, two or three compartment options. The compartment structure also brings greater stability than the metal trays, overcoming the risk of bending or warping which also causes spillage. Oliver Products will provide free consultancy advice including a survey of the food preparation operation to ensure the optimum combinations of tray types and sealing machines is specified.

Because Oliver trays are paper-based, they can be safely used in microwave ovens as well as for conventional heating up to 205˚C. This means that meal providers have a choice of heating solution. Clients can also quickly reheat a meal at home if required whilst being able to remove the tray from any oven without the risk of burns associated with hot metal or ceramic dishes. The sealing film can also be pre-printed with heating instructions and trays can be used for freezing at temperatures up to minus 40˚C.

UK trials have already successfully commenced in a number of areas including Telford and Wrekin - which was the first local authority in the UK to pilot the system. One of their clients Mrs Edith Vick from Muxton welcomed the scheme, "I can't believe I can heat my meal really hot and take it out without burning my hands. The packaging stays sturdy and doesn't fold or spill everywhere and I think the portions are bigger. I've signed up to meals on wheels for an extra day a week now!"

Endorsing the decision to move to the Olipak tray, Councillor Ute Sambrook, Telford and Wrekin Cabinet member for Adult Social Care said, "This easy to use and safe meals packaging is a godsend for the elderly and vulnerable clients that benefit from our meals on wheels service. I believe it will offer them increased peace of mind and strengthen their independence."