Deans rolls-out plastic trays (again)

Deans Foods is to push on with its planned introduction of plastic egg trays.

The conversion to plastic originally commenced last year but was put on hold after the company merged with Stonegate to form Noble Foods. The switch to plastic—which also includes pallets and layer pads—should now be competed by mid-summer.

Deans says that those producers already on plastic are "extremely satisfied and have welcomed the improvements".

"The benefits of moving to plastic from moulded fibre are numerous," says the company. "Hygiene is improved greatly as trays and pallets are washed at the packing centre before being redelivered.

"Recycling of plastic trays is more environmentally friendly and mirrors the systems already in use by retailers for other fresh foods products," says Deans, adding that it raises the image of the industry as well as significantly improving efficiencies in egg handling from farm to packing centre.

The switch to plastic packaging represents an investment of over £1.5m for the packer.