CHICAGO, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pack Expo 2006 -- Working
people, school children, and busy seniors hungry for a hot meal, but who
don't have the time or the inclination to cook, will soon have a new
option. In early 2007, Now Foods, LLC will introduce Rice Now(R), a line of
prepared rice dishes in Sonoco's Sonotort(TM) Shatterproof(TM)
microwaveable retort pouches that satisfy the growing demand for portable
heat-and-eat entrees.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991006/SNCLOGO )
This is the first commercial application of Sonoco's Shatterproof
coating, an organic polymer that replaces oxide and glass coatings
typically used on retort pouches. Sonoco's Shatterproof technology is
highly resistant to flex cracking, an unsightly phenomenon in which the
laminate becomes marked with stress fractures as a result of handling
during converting, packaging and distribution. The coating is also more
robust than previous types of coating, offering better barrier properties
at similar cost. Sonoco is supplying the printed Sonotort roll stock and
Floeter, in Chicago, is converting the film into pouches.
The eight-ounce single-serving pouches of Rice Now will be sold at
discount stores throughout the United States. There are seven flavors:
Asian Stir-fry, Beefy Rice, Black Bean Chipotle, Garlic Butter, Golden
Chicken, Red Beans and Rice, and White and Wild.
Shelf appeal was a major concern of Rice Now partner R.J. Reed.
"Because this is a new product, it was important that the package graphics
immediately convey the heat-and-eat nature of the product and the type of
rice dish inside the pouch. The package's eight-color rotogravure printing
provides the mouth- watering realism we need to get shoppers to stop, pick
up the product and buy it. You can almost taste the flavors by just looking
at the package."
The Shatterproof coating used in Sonotort retort pouches protects the
shelf appeal of Rice Now, an attribute Reed appreciates. "The more worn a
package looks, the less likely consumers will buy it," he says.
The go-anywhere, eat anytime size of the Sonotort retort pouch fits
easily into lunch boxes, book bags, purses and brief cases. The three-ply
pouches do not contain foil, making them safe to microwave.
Rice Now can be eaten straight from the pouch or transferred to a bowl
or plate. To heat, the consumer vents the top of the pouch with the help of
a directional tear, places it in a microwave oven and heats for the time
indicated on instructions printed on the pouch. The bottom of the Sonotort
pouch is gusseted so it stands erect.
Now Foods, LLC also has plans to launch two new lines of ready-to-eat
foods, Soup Now(R) and Dine Now(R) meal "kits" that will include the meat
and pasta or rice in separate microwaveable Sonotort retort pouches.
Headquartered in Pearl, Miss., Now Foods, LLC develops and markets
flavorful, high-quality prepared foods and entrees for the ready-to-serve
market using patented technology.
About Sonoco
Sonoco (NYSE: SON), founded in 1899, is a $3.5 billion global
manufacturer of industrial and consumer products and provider of packaging
services, with more than 300 operations in 35 countries, serving customers
in some 85 nations. For more information on the Company, visit
http://www.sonoco.com.
SOURCE Sonoco
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Related links:
http://www.sonoco.com/
Photo Notes:http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/19991006/SNCLOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Roger Schrum, +1-843-339-6018 or
roger.schrum@sonoco.com, or Myra Richey, +1-843-383-3333, or
myra.richey@sonoco.com, both of Sonoco
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