Cryovac® TBG Small Patch Ham Bag Cures Package Failure

New Technology Reduces Bone Punctures by More Than 73 Percent

DUNCAN, S.C. (April 30, 2003) - Sealed Air, a worldwide leader in fresh food packaging, introduces the Cryovac® TBG Small Patch Ham bag, a boneguard bag specifically designed for hams. The new package, ideal for butt and shank portion smoked hams, as well as whole smoked hams, reduces bone punctures by more than 73 percent in retail display when compared to standard barrier bags.

The Cryovac® TBG Small Patch Ham bag includes a puncture resistant patch that protects a small area on one side of the bag and a curved end seal for a more contoured and tighter fit. The patch and shape of the package prevent bone punctures, enabling retail meat department personnel to focus their energy on merchandising product, instead of reworking packages or cleaning purge.

In an abuse resistance study comparing standard barrier bags and the Cryovac® TBG Small Patch Ham bag, more than 18,000 shank portion hams were examined to determine when - during packaging, storage, distribution or retail display - the package integrity is most compromised. It confirmed that nearly 70 percent of the total shank-bone punctures occur during retail display and are the primary cause of rework or package failure. Using the Small Patch Ham bag reduced bone punctures during the retail display by more than 73 percent.

The Cryovac® TBG Small Patch Ham bag eliminates the need for soaker pads which can become saturated and lose their protective attributes, often resulting in tears or punctures to the bag. For more information about the Cryovac® TBG Small Patch Ham bag, contact cryovac.mkt@sealedair.com. Also see our barrier shrink bags.