Why Foopak Ovenable Board Is Ideal for Baking and Ready Meals

Foopak offers a range of ovenable paperboard solutions designed for high-temperature food applications with a focus on safety and sustainability. Among them, Foopak Bio Natura stands out for its ability to withstand heat, moisture, and grease, delivering reliable performance without compromising food safety.

Understanding Ovenable Board

Ovenable board is a type of food-grade paperboard specifically engineered to withstand high temperatures during baking, reheating, or cooking typically in ovens or microwaves. It’s used for packaging ready-to-eat meals, baked goods, and other hot food applications where both heat resistance and food safety are critical.

One example is Foopak Bio Natura, which has been tested by Intertek through the Overall Migration Test. The board is designed to endure temperatures up to 220°C (428°F) in microwave applications for up to 3 minutes, making it suitable for hot food use and safe for direct contact with heated contents.

Key Characteristics of Ovenable Board

The performance of an ovenable board is defined by three main characteristics critical for food packaging under heat.

1. Heat Resistance

Ovenable board is designed to withstand high temperatures, typically up to 200°C, without losing its form. It remains stable during baking, reheating, or cooking, making it ideal for use in both microwaves and conventional ovens.

2. Grease and Moisture Barrier

It provides effective resistance to oil and moisture, preventing soak-through or breakdown during heating. This ensures food stays intact and the packaging remains clean and functional.

3. Food-Safe

Ovenable board is made from food-grade materials and meets international safety standards for direct food contact, with certifications such as FDA and ISEGA. Many options, including Foopak Bio Natura, go further by being recyclable, compostable, and made from renewable fiber sources, thus offering both safety and sustainability.

Common Applications of Ovenable Boards

Ovenable board is used in a variety of food packaging applications.

1. Ready-to-Eat Meal Trays

Ovenable board is widely used for packaging ready meals like mac & cheese, lasagna, or pasta bakes. These trays are designed to go straight from the fridge or freezer into the oven or microwave, offering a convenient, heat-safe, and sustainable alternative to plastic or aluminum containers.

2. Bakery Trays

Used for baking and serving items such as muffins, brownies, or cakes, bakery trays made from ovenable board can handle high temperatures without deforming. They maintain their shape during the baking process and are often designed to be both functional and presentable for retail display.

3. Takeout Containers

Ovenable board is ideal for hot food takeout containers, especially for dishes that customers may reheat at home. These containers can go directly into the oven or microwave, eliminating the need to transfer food to separate cookware. They also offer a more sustainable and premium alternative to plastic or foil-based packaging, while keeping food warm and fresh during delivery.

Foopak Bio Natura for Oven Applications

Foopak Bio Natura is specifically designed to meet the performance requirements of ovenable board, making it an ideal solution for food packaging applications that demand both heat resistance and environmental responsibility. It is part of the Foopak product range, which offers a wide selection of sustainable paperboard solutions tailored for various food and beverage needs.