Ready-To-Eat (RTE) Packaging: Top Qualities and Solutions for Ready-Made Meals

Are you keeping up with the growing “ready-to-eat” food trend?

In this article, we break down this important source of market growth, explain why packaging can make a direct impact on the performance of ready-to-eat products, and explore some sample packaging options.

What Is Ready-To-Eat Packaging?

Ready-to-eat (RTE), sometimes called ready-to-serve or ready-to-cook, refers to a variety of packaged entrees that consumers can eat with little additional preparation besides simple reheating. For a variety of reasons we will explore below, ready-to-eat packaging must fulfill unique requirements, and specifying the right packaging is critical for the success of RTE products.

Ready-To-Eat vs. Grab-And-Go

Ready-to-eat foods (and packaging) are closely related to the growing trend toward grab-and-go foods. While these categories may sometimes overlap, the grab-and-go category is more focused on snack-sized portions and includes many lighter food choices. Ready-to-eat foods are more likely to focus on whole meals (including multiple dishes or ingredients) and/or entree-style servings.

Ready-To-Eat Food and Packaging Examples

While the idea of a pre-prepared meal may call to mind a frozen dinner, canned goods, or dehydrated “instant” products, today’s consumers have access to an incredible variety of RTE food options, including frozen, fresh, refrigerated, and microwaveable options. 

Common examples of ready-to-eat foods and sample containers include:

1. Pizza, where rectangular containers are helpful for keeping pizza appetizing and protected.
2. Salads, which can benefit from crystal clear packaging to showcase fresh ingredients.
3. Sandwiches, hot dogs, burgers, and wraps can look their best in clamshell-style packaging, which shows off product quality while limiting squishing or other deformation. Lacerta’s clamshell packaging even offers a bottom-seal design to minimize visual disruption of fillings.
4. Tacos and burritos may call for rectangular, platter-style, or square packaging depending on serving size and product geometry.
5. Pasta can be served in bowls, while more complex pasta meals may benefit from divided containers or trays for keeping sauces and side dishes separate. 
6. Sushi is well suited to clear plastic containers with secure seals to protect freshness for maximum consumer appeal.
7. Egg rolls and other fried foods may benefit from ventilated packaging to reduce moisture build-up and maintain crispness. Venting may be integrated into common packaging designs.
8. Deli meats can be a strong match for a variety of square or rectangular containers with tight-fitting lids, while appetizer-style deli products may be best presented in a tray or platter format.
9. Washed and cut fruits and vegetables are typically packaged based on their intended presentation. A single fruit or vegetable may be well suited to a simple sealed bowl, while the addition of dips or multiple ingredients may call for a wider variety of fruit and vegetable packaging options.

This incredible variety means that packaging needs to be carefully aligned with the aesthetic and functional considerations of each specific RTE food product; there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and custom packaging may offer excellent value in this space.

The Growing Ready-To-Eat Meal Trend

Food makers and grocers are under pressure to keep up with consumers’ growing preference for RTE options. Of course, consumers have long shown an appetite for food that offers the right mix of cost, convenience, and quality. But today, chefs have more options for keeping food fresh, preparing fresh ingredients in-store, and reducing (or even eliminating) the quality gap between RTE and made-from-scratch meals. 

As private-label brands proliferate, food sellers have more options than ever to market their products to consumers. And consumers are responding with their purchasing decisions. Explosive growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has proved resilient, and evidence suggests that the shift toward more convenient food options will continue for the foreseeable future. Why? In short, because ready-to-eat food provides a value “sweet spot” for consumers:

• Cheaper and more flexible than eating out at a restaurant.
• Faster than buying and preparing raw ingredients from a grocery store.
• Easier to integrate fresh and healthy options compared to fast food.

For these reasons, grocery customers remain enthusiastic about the trend toward RTE meals. As reported by Supermarket News, “90% of supermarket prepared-foods buyers believe they are getting good value from these items, and 74% of consumers agreed that the quality of retail prepared foods has greatly improved over the past two years.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What Does RTE Mean in Terms of Food Safety?

Because RTE meals do not require cooking, food safety standards are critical to prevent contamination and ensure freshness. RTE packaging must protect products from moisture, oxygen, and external contaminants while maintaining strict temperature controls throughout the supply chain.

How Should Ready-To-Eat Food Be Stored?

Storage requirements for RTE foods depend on the product type. Many RTE foods need refrigeration or freezing to maintain freshness and safety. Proper storage includes keeping products at the recommended temperature, ensuring they remain sealed in high-quality packaging, and avoiding cross-contamination during handling.

Are All Ready-To-Eat Foods Perishable?

Not all RTE foods are perishable. While many require refrigeration or freezing, others, like canned or vacuum-sealed items, can be shelf-stable for extended periods. Always check storage instructions for specific requirements.

The Importance of Packaging for RTE Product Performance

Packaging plays a vital role in the success of ready-to-eat products: preserving quality, enhancing the consumer experience, and reinforcing brand value. 

1. Freshness and food safety: Packaging is the first line of defense against oxygen, moisture, and contamination, which are all factors that can compromise shelf life, flavor, and safety. 
2. Temperature management: Whether frozen, refrigerated, or shelf-stable, RTE foods demand packaging tailored to their storage and preparation needs. Durable materials that perform well under varying temperature conditions ensure product integrity throughout the supply chain.
3. Portion flexibility: Consumers value packaging options that cater to their lifestyles. Single-serve containers, multi-portion trays, and divided compartments for separate meal components can directly enhance the customer experience.
4. Convenience features: Features like resealable closures, microwave-safe containers, and easy-to-open yet spill-resistant designs are all essential to creating a positive user experience. These features not only enhance practicality but also build consumer trust in the product and brand.
5. Branding: As a booming growth category, RTE products need to stand out on competitive shelves. Eye-catching designs, clear labeling, and high-quality materials communicate freshness and quality at a glance.
6. Sustainability: Modern consumers value sustainable packaging that minimizes environmental impact. Solutions like recycled materials can help brands meet sustainability goals while appealing to environmentally conscious shoppers.

Explore Ready-To-Eat Packaging Solutions

At Lacerta, we understand the unique demands of RTE food packaging. Our packaging solutions are designed to meet the unique functional and aesthetic needs of our customers' innovative RTE products.

• Fresh N' Sealed® Tamper-Evident Containers: These containers provide a secure, tamper-evident seal, protecting food safety and maintaining freshness. Their clear appearance can enhance product visibility, making them ideal for salads, sandwiches, and other RTE meals.
  
  
  12" Hoagie Container

• Hot N’ Sealed Microwaveable Packaging: Designed for prepared meals that require reheating, this line offers tamper-resistant closures and leak-resistant lids. The PET material provides superior clarity to showcase quality ingredients, while the microwave-safe design adds convenience for consumers.

• Sustainable Food Packaging with ReCERTA™: Lacerta's ReCERTA™ material incorporates post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, offering a sustainable packaging option without compromising on durability or clarity. This solution aligns with increasingly environmentally conscious consumer preferences and is suitable for many different RTE foods.
  
  
  11 oz. Flat Sided Parfait Cup

For unique product requirements, Lacerta provides custom-designed packaging tailored to specific needs. This service supports the development of packaging that fits a product’s requirements, enhances brand identity, and meets functional demands such as portion control and convenience features. With the ability to commercialize RTE custom packaging within six to eight weeks, our team is ready to help stay responsive to the latest market opportunities.

We invite you to learn more about Lacerta’s end-to-end support for custom packaging development here.