Deep-freeze labels: secure labelling of frozen products

Frozen food: an important part of our daily food supply. Meat, fish, vegetables, baked goods – year-round availability, especially of seasonal products, is inconceivable without deep freezing.

Labels for frozen products – difficult conditions for accurate identification

The labelling of frozen products often takes place under challenging conditions. The labels with essential data, such as weight and the ‘best before’ date, must often be attached to the packaging or bag in cold or cool environments.

Salmon – caught in the North Atlantic. Already cut up roughly on the ship and stored on ice to preserve its freshness. The cold chain must never be interrupted, ensuring that the fish is in perfect condition when it is put in the consumer’s freezer.

Consumer-friendly portions, vacuum-packed in a film package, are produced in a cold and moist packaging area. Labels with all the legally required information are applied to the uneven surface immediately after shrink-wrapping. Product information such as tips for preparation can also be printed on labels attached to the packed portions of frozen food.

Choosing the right label for these conditions is tricky – few adhesives have the necessary characteristics. Most labels simply fall off of surfaces that are icy or made damp by condensation. A strong tack (immediate initial adhesion on the surface) is essential here. And the label’s task gets even trickier when it comes to greasy foods, such as meat, fish or ice-cream.

When adhesives come into contact with these foods, their fat-soluble components can start to ‘migrate’ – and this so-called migration must be prevented.

Low-migration labels for frozen products – the adhesive ensures secure attachment

HERMA has developed a new all-rounder for such cases. The extremely low-migration adhesive for frozen merchandise meets all requirements for the deep-freeze sector: labels can be reliably applied at minus 25 degrees Celsius or to cool & moist surfaces. Thanks to its broad temperature tolerance, it can also be used for products that are hot-filled and then shock-frozen.

Once attached, the label can withstand temperatures of minus 60 degrees Celsius.

It is also approved for dry, moist and above all greasy food. This puts them – and the customer – on the safe side. The new adhesive also has excellent adhesive properties at average temperatures – making it a genuine all-rounder for the food industry.

You can use thermal transfer printers to print individual information on the labels on rolls. They remain securely attached to the frozen goods all the way to the customer’s freezer.

Discover the advantages of HERMA food labels for a wide range of food labelling applications.

Customised for your usage scenario – we’ll be delighted to advise you!

HERMA produces labels on rolls for frozen goods according to your specifications – either blank or, on request, pre-printed with low-migration printing inks.

We’ll give you individual advice to help you find materials that are suited to your specific applications. Use the contact form to let us know what you need.