Just Stuff It

Serving size is also key for consumers, according to Froggatt. “People want the same amount of filling every time they buy,” he warns. “Systems like ours maintain the sandwich filling blend and amount within close pre-determined tolerances, while ensuring the all-important ‘mouth-watering aesthetics.’” The look of the food is also critical. “People want to see the multigrain breads, the ethnic ingredients,” he says. “The ability to see what’s in a sandwich offering and the wrapping matters.” Jones agrees: “Our packaging has been simple so far,” she notes. “It’s very important that the packaging allow freshness to be demonstrated and the ingredients to be seen.” The company is currently developing premium packaging presentation options.

Lastly, but perhaps most importantly, food safety is a top concern for consumers today, especially when it comes to pre-packaged products containing meat. “The most sensitive products are the ready-to-eat items,” says Froggatt. “They aren’t cooked, but just unwrapped and eaten.” That’s where the importance of automated technology comes in. “With an automated tracking system, the products can be monitored all the way through to the end, in terms of weight, temperature and more,” says Froggatt. “A bar code is placed on each item, which provides complete traceability. You can check exactly where each individual ingredient in the product came from, and ensure that everything is being done to maintain the safety of the public.”