Packaging of Ice Cream and Frozed Desserts

Generally packaging of ice cream is done before hardening. In few cases it is done after hardening. When ice cream is drawn from the freezer, it is usually collected in containers, which give it the desired shape or size for convenient handling during hardening, storage and marketing

The important requirements of packages for ice cream are:

•  Protection against contamination
•  Attractiveness
•  Ease of opening and re-closure
•  Ease of disposal

 Desirable requirements of packages are:

•  Protection against moisture
•  Protection against temperature fluctuations

 Ice cream packages are of two types:

i) Multi- service: These types of packages are in limited use only. Tinned steel cans or stainless steel cans of different sizes and shapes are used. These cans are cleaned, sanitized and used repeatedly.

ii) Single-service: These types of packages are now more popular and are available for both bulk sale and retail sale. As the name suggests these packages are used and discarded after use. Ice cream for bulk sale is packaged in containers with capacities ranging from 5 to 25 liters or more. Ice cream in this type of containers is distributed for sale of dipped ice cream especially in ice cream parlors, hotels etc. Ice cream is packaged in fibre-board cartons coated with wax or provided with plastic liners. All plastic cylindrical containers with re-closable lids are also now available for bulk packaging especially for carry home packages.

For retail sale, ice cream is filled in small cups or cartons. The cups may be made out of paper or card-board treated with wax or plastic. Plastic cups of various sizes and shapes with lids are also available for packaging of ice cream.In many of the ice cream factories the present trend is to make bricks of varying sizes. The bricks are made from the moulds into which ice cream has been filled after leaving the freezer and then hardened. The solid block of ice cream is first cut in smaller size and then wrapped in parchment paper or plastic film. This method of packaging is rapidly increasing in popularity. In view of large number of paper wrapped ice cream bricks sold in market, the hygienic quality of wrapping paper assumes considerable importance. It is essential to use only the best quality of paper for the purpose.

Other ice cream and frozen desserts, which are first hardened and then packagedinclude chocolate coated ice cream in sticks, ice cream sandwiches, popcicles, water ices in sticks etc. These are first filled in moulds after freezing and then hardened. The hardened materials are removed from moulds and wrapped in suitable packaging materials.