"Packaged food," as used in the context of the U.S. FDA definition of food, refers to food that has been packaged in a sealed package, other than an open box, glass, or other containers, which can be opened without loss of the edible contents. Foods are usually packaged in this way for sale. Examples of packed food items are hot dogs, hot cereals, soup mixes, snack foods, ready-to-eat cereals, dry mixes, and snack foods like chips, pretzels, cookies, and instant rice/pasta. In the U.S., packaged food sales constitute about 50% of the market for fresh food products.
A variety of approaches are used in the production of health and wellness packaged food, including various types of equipment and machinery, as well as techniques such as temperature control, the addition of supplements and vitamins, or sterilization. Packaging may be by means of paper or by means of plastic. Packaging is typically a complex process involving many variables such as chemical treatment of ingredients to enhance their survival, appropriate packing of nutrients and other contaminants, and adherence to the specifications of the U.S. FDA.
Health and wellness packaged food plays an important role in the food business. Commercial food business will typically begin with a single location, manufacturing and packaging the food product. In many cases, this single location will be located inside the home, creating a food business that is solely contained in the home. Over time, the food business will expand to include a number of additional locations. As a result, companies will typically purchase prepackaged foods from a third party, creating a chain of commercial food businesses and increasing their visibility and profitability. The quality of food product packaging directly impacts the quality of the product, both directly and indirectly. The type of packaging material used and the process of manufacture will affect the shelf-life of the product, as well as the ease with which it can be opened and resealed.
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