Hot fill is a packaging method that uses heat to sterilize strongly acidic liquid foods and beverages to extend their shelf life at non-refrigerated conditions without the use of preservatives. This helps prevent the reproduction of harmful microorganisms that would cause the product to spoil.
Why Use Hot Fill? - Hot fill packaging is a time honored, effective way to sterilize both the product and the container. (Have you ever watched your grandmother can fruit and veggies from her garden?) She was using a form of hot filling. Hot fill packaging is a natural way to preserve and protect liquid products without adding additives and chemicals that are used in other preservation methods. Thereby improving freshness, texture, and taste of the product. As well as increasing the shelf life.
Pros and Cons of Use Hot Fill - Hot fill is ideal for protecting and preserving your product. Thereby extending the shelf life. It eliminates contaminants and disinfects both your product and the container. Is completely natural and doesn’t require the use of artificial chemicals or preservatives. And best of all, is one of the best ways to preserve the quality, taste, and nutritional value of your beverage or food product
However, Hot Fill does require a lot of hands-on attention. And the process must be monitored with care to control the product AND bottle temperatures.
Which Products Benefit from Hot Fill? - Hot fill packaging is not for every product. (Alcoholic and carbonated soft drinks are not candidates for hot fill for instance.) Products that can be highly acidic like these listed here:
Beverages - Fruit juices, mixed vegetable juices, tea, and sports drinks.
Liquid Sauces and Marinades - Sauces, marinades, salsas, soups, vinaigrettes, dressings, jams and jellies.
Should I Use Plastic or Glass? - Well, BOTH will work very well with the hot fill preservation process. You will need to decide which material will perform best with your product. We strongly suggest that you request samples of the container and cap that you wish to use and perform tests with your product to ensure that you can get the results you desire before placing a large order:
Plastic - is lightweight, strong, flexible and impact resistant. It can easily be shaped to fit a nearly limitless variety of shapes and designs. Plastic can be tinted with pigments and dies. The best plastic for hot filling is Polypropylene (PP). It can handle temperatures up to 240 degrees. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) can be used for hot fill applications. It should not be fill higher than 180 degrees. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is typically not advised for hot fill since its max fill temperature is 120 degrees. However, there are hot fill PET options. They typically have high minimums and cost more.
Glass – Is robust and can tolerate extremely high temperatures without damage to the container or the product. The natural impermeability of glass also makes them ideal containers for long-term storage and preservation of the taste and quality of the food or beverage products held within. However, glass is heavy. And is susceptible to breakage during handling and transit.
We Have a Variety of Hot Fill Packaging Options - We at Aaron Packaging have a large collection of containers and caps that are specifically designed for the hot fill process. From crystal-clear glass dressing bottles to sturdy, yet flexible plastic sauce bottles. We will have what you need. And if we don’t have it. We’ll find it for you..
Interested in Using Hot Fill Packaging? - If you would like more information. Please contact our customer service team. We will help you select the right products to meet your needs.
