5 Criteria for Choosing Food-Safe Plastic Meat Trays for Supermarkets

Fresh meat is a high-value product category in retail, accounting for 30–40% of revenue in the food section of many supermarkets. Preserving and displaying fresh meat is always a major challenge because the products are highly perishable, prone to bacterial contamination, and directly affect customer trust. In a context where consumers increasingly prioritize food safety and shopping experience, selecting the right plastic meat tray has become a key solution for supermarket food distributors.

However, not all plastic meat trays meet the required standards. Choosing the correct tray not only helps supermarkets reduce shrinkage, limit hygiene risks, but also enhances brand image. So, what are the 5 most important criteria when selecting food-safe plastic meat trays? Let’s analyze in detail to understand why PET and PP are gradually replacing traditional packaging in modern retail.

Hưng Dụ Food-Safe Plastic Meat Trays 

1. Safe Materials – The Foundation of High-Quality Food-Safe Meat Trays

For fresh food, especially meat, packaging that comes into direct contact with the product plays a crucial role in protecting consumer health. Food-safe plastic meat trays are not just containers; they act as a protective barrier, preventing chemical migration, microbial contamination, and other external factors that could compromise product quality. Therefore, the first criterion supermarkets should consider when selecting trays is the tray material.

According to international regulations, food packaging must be certified by organizations such as FDA (USA) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), and comply with Vietnam’s Ministry of Health hygiene standards. These certifications ensure that the plastics used do not release harmful chemicals under refrigeration, long-distance transport, or microwave heating.

1.1 PET – Transparent and Recyclable

PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is the most commonly used plastic in food packaging today. Its standout feature is high transparency, making the meat inside look fresh and appealing on supermarket shelves. Studies show that consumers tend to prefer food-safe meat trays with clear, transparent packaging, as it gives them greater confidence in product quality.

In addition, PET offers high mechanical strength, impact resistance, and prevents deformation during transport and stacking. Another major advantage is that PET can be recycled multiple times, aligning with sustainability trends. Many international retailers, such as Walmart and Carrefour, have requested suppliers to switch to rPET (recycled PET) to meet carbon reduction goals.

1.2 PP – Heat and Cold Resistant

PP (Polypropylene) is also an ideal material for meat trays due to its ability to withstand temperatures up to 120°C, making it safe for microwave reheating—something PET cannot do. At the same time, PP remains durable at deep-freeze temperatures, making it suitable for frozen meat. PP is also cost-effective and easy to process at scale, helping supermarkets optimize packaging expenses. Due to its balance of performance and cost, PP food-safe meat trays are widely used for fresh meat, seafood, and frozen food packaging.

1.3 PS/EPS – Outdated and Being Phased Out

In the past, PS/EPS (foam) was popular due to its low cost and lightweight. However, it is now gradually being phased out because PS is brittle, difficult to recycle, and poses potential chemical migration risks. Many developed countries have restricted or banned EPS packaging for food. In Vietnam, many supermarkets are also switching to PET and PP meat trays to meet safety and environmental standards.

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FDA Certification for PET/PP

2. Leak-Resistance – Ensuring Hygiene and Customer Experience

One common issue when displaying and selling fresh meat in supermarkets is drip loss. This occurs when meat releases liquid during cold storage, causing plastic meat trays to become wet, smelly, and unappealing. If trays cannot control drip, it not only discourages customers but also poses a cross-contamination risk to nearby products. Therefore, the second criterion for selecting food-safe plastic meat trays is effective leak resistance.

2.1 Use of Soaker Pads

A popular solution is the soaker pad – an absorbent liner placed at the bottom of the meat tray. These pads usually have a multi-layer structure, with a superabsorbent polymer core that can hold 5–10g of liquid without backflow. This keeps the meat surface dry, enhancing hygiene and freshness perception. Soaker pads are especially important for chicken and red meat, which release more fluid than fish or seafood.

2.2 Tray Design – Ridges and Partition Walls

In addition to pads, many modern plastic trays are designed with raised ridges or small partitions at the bottom. These features create pockets to hold liquid, preventing it from spreading across the tray. This ensures that even trays without pads can maintain relative hygiene, particularly during long-distance transport.

2.3 Combination with Topseal or Skin Pack

Leak-resistant trays achieve the best performance when paired with topseal films or skin pack technology. Topseal involves heat-sealing a film over the tray, while skin pack wraps the film tightly around the product. Both methods:

• Fully seal the tray to prevent liquid leakage.

• Preserve meat color and odor, improving visual appeal.

• Extend shelf life by 2–3 days compared to traditional PE wrap.

According to Food Packaging Forum 2023, supermarkets using topseal or skin pack trays can reduce product wastage by up to 20%, thanks to minimized drip and more attractive presentation.

2.4 Practical Benefits for Supermarkets and Consumers

For supermarkets, using leak-resistant trays reduces cleaning costs, minimizes odors in display counters, and builds customer trust in product quality. For consumers, shopping becomes more pleasant: no more wet trays or leaked plastic bags at home.

Hưng Dụ Product Catalogue 2025

3. Compatibility with Topseal/Skin Pack – Extending Shelf Life

In modern retail, one of the biggest challenges is prolonging shelf life while maintaining meat freshness. Unlike fruits or dry goods, fresh meat spoils quickly due to its high water and protein content, which supports microbial growth. Therefore, combining plastic meat trays with advanced packaging technologies like topseal and skin pack has become a global supermarket standard.

3.1 Topseal – Secure Seal, Material-Saving

Topseal is a technology that heat-seals a thin plastic film directly over the tray mouth. This creates a strong seal, preventing air and microbes from entering. Key benefits include:

• Extended shelf life: beef and chicken stay fresh 2–3 days longer than in standard PE-wrapped trays.

• Reduced loss: limits drip and maintains meat color.

• Material savings: film is only 25–30 microns thick, using 20–25% less plastic than separate lids.

• Stackable: flat, sturdy trays optimize display space.

According to Smithers Pira 2023, the topseal trend is growing 12% annually in Europe, especially in premium red meat and seafood segments.

3.2 Skin Pack – Tight Wrap, High Aesthetic Value

Skin pack is a technology that vacuum-wraps a film tightly around the product, almost “freezing” the meat’s fresh state. Main benefits:

• Prevents all liquid leakage, keeping trays clean.

• Enhances aesthetics: customers see every meat fiber clearly, giving a premium impression.

• Extends shelf life: minimal air reduces oxidation and microbial growth.

• Export-ready: many EU and US importers require skin-packed meat for long-distance transport.

In Vietnam, supermarket chains like AEON and Lotte Mart have started testing skin pack trays for imported beef and salmon, showing that this trend is gaining traction.

3.3 Tray Requirements for Advanced Packaging

Not all plastic trays are compatible with topseal or skin pack. Trays must have:

• Flat, rigid rims for reliable film adhesion.

• Heat resistance to prevent deformation during sealing.

• Warp-resistance when stacking multiple layers.

Therefore, premium PET/PP trays are recommended over EPS/foam, which cannot withstand heat pressure and deforms easily.

3.4 Economic Benefits for Supermarkets

Although the initial cost is higher, investing in trays compatible with topseal/skin pack helps supermarkets:

• Reduce spoilage, saving 10–15% of inventory costs.

• Increase perceived value, enabling higher selling prices.

• Enhance brand credibility by meeting international standards.

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4. Anti-Fog Capability – Keeping Products Clearly Visible

One of the most important factors when displaying meat in supermarket refrigerators is product visibility. No matter how high the quality of the meat, if the plastic tray fogs up, customers cannot clearly see the product, which reduces purchase intent. According to FMI – NielsenIQ (2021), 72% of U.S. consumers consider transparency (being able to see inside the packaging) an important factor when selecting food (Grocery Dive). This shows that anti-fog technology is not just a technical feature but directly influences purchasing behavior.

4.1 Mechanism of Fogging in Packaging

Fogging occurs when moisture from the food evaporates and condenses into tiny droplets on the tray lid. These droplets scatter light, causing a white haze that obscures the product. This is common in high-humidity supermarket refrigerators that are frequently opened and closed.

4.2 Anti-Fog Technology

To address this, manufacturers add anti-fog additives to the plastic or film. These additives change the surface tension, causing moisture to spread evenly into a thin layer instead of forming droplets. As a result, the packaging surface remains transparent, allowing customers to clearly see the product inside.

According to the FDA (2021) – Food Packaging Innovations, anti-fog technology has become a standard feature in meat and vegetable packaging in the U.S. (FDA.gov). In Europe, many retail chains implement similar solutions to meet transparency requirements and reduce food waste.

4.3 Benefits for Supermarkets and Consumers

• For supermarkets: Products look more appealing, increasing sales. A survey in the report Research Reveals the Power of Transparency (Food Business News, 2022) found that 84% of consumers are willing to pay more for food with transparent packaging and labeling. Anti-fog trays visually communicate this transparency.

• For customers: They can inspect products directly without opening the packaging, making the shopping experience more pleasant. Products appear fresh and clean, enhancing purchase confidence.

4.4 Trends in Vietnam

Many local manufacturers now produce PET/PP meat trays with anti-fog coating, supplying major supermarket chains such as Winmart, AEON, and Lotte Mart. In parallel, AEON Group (Japan) highlighted in its 2022 Sustainability Report the promotion of packaging technologies to reduce food waste and enhance transparency. This is a positive sign, showing that Vietnamese enterprises are beginning to approach international standards and have the opportunity to integrate more deeply into the global supply chain.

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5. Environmentally Friendly – An Inevitable Trend

In the context of climate change and global plastic pollution, environmental considerations have become an essential criterion when selecting meat trays for supermarkets. Consumers are increasingly concerned about the ecological impact of the products they purchase, and major retailers are required to adjust packaging policies to meet this trend.

5.1 Global Green Consumption Trend

According to a survey by McKinsey & NielsenIQ (2023), 60% of global consumers are willing to pay more for products with environmentally friendly packaging (McKinsey Report). This clearly demonstrates that supermarkets using safe, recyclable plastic trays gain a significant competitive advantage.

5.2 Legal Pressure from Import Markets

• Europe: The EU has implemented a Plastic Tax since 2021, imposing high fees on non-recyclable plastic packaging. By 2030, all food packaging circulated in the EU must be 100% recyclable (European Commission).

• USA: Several states, such as California, have enacted laws requiring a minimum recycled content in food packaging, creating pressure for the retail supply chain.

• Vietnam: The 2022 Environmental Protection Law introduces the EPR – Extended Producer Responsibility mechanism, obliging producers/importers of packaging to pay recycling fees or organize collection and treatment themselves (MONRE – Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

These regulations make choosing PET/PP meat trays with recyclability a mandatory requirement, rather than a voluntary option.

5.3 PET and PP – Sustainable Packaging Solutions

• PET: Highly recyclable, can be transformed into rPET for continued use in food packaging.

• PP: Also a recyclable thermoplastic, producing lower CO₂ emissions compared to PS/EPS.

• rPET/rPP: Many international retail groups (Walmart, Tesco) have pledged to use 30–50% recycled plastic in meat and seafood trays by 2025 (Tesco Sustainability Report).

5.4 Practical Benefits for Supermarkets and Vietnamese Enterprises

• Enhance brand reputation: Linking packaging with green commitments appeals to younger consumers willing to pay more.

• Facilitate exports: PET/PP meat trays meeting recyclable standards make it easier for Vietnamese meat products to enter EU and U.S. markets.

• Reduce legal risks: Early transition helps businesses avoid additional costs arising from environmental taxes.

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Conclusion

Fresh meat is one of the most demanding product categories to display in supermarkets, and packaging serves as the “shield” protecting both product quality and brand image. Based on the five key criteria – safe material, leak resistance, compatibility with topseal/skin pack technologies, anti-fog performance, and environmental friendliness – it is clear that PET and PP meat trays are becoming the inevitable choice, gradually replacing traditional EPS/foam packaging.

With consumers increasingly prioritizing transparency, hygiene, and sustainability, supermarkets that proactively invest in compliant packaging can enhance customer experience, optimize storage costs, and significantly reduce product loss. Beyond domestic benefits, adopting environmentally friendly packaging also opens up export opportunities, enabling Vietnamese businesses to integrate more deeply into the global supply chain.