A custom-molded bottle in a hefty size is helping to launch what's said to be the U.K. foodservice industry's first-ever premium line of ready-to-use cooking sauces and soups, under the Loyd Grossman brand from Premier Foods. Provided by RPC Containers Corby (www.rpc-corby.co.uk), the 2-kg polypropylene/ethylene vinyl alcohol/PP bottles maintain product quality, are lightweight and shatter-resistant, providing a more convenient container format. The Grossman sauce brand has been so successful in the retail sector that brand owner Premier Foods decided an introduction into foodservice was the next logical step to help chefs meet increasing consumer demands in a competitive marketplace where consistently premium quality food is a must.

While some chefs have shied away from ready-to-use sauces and soups, Premier Foods' new patent-pending manufacturing process is said to deliver consistently high quality taste and performance. The 10 sauces and seven soup flavors are made using authentic ingredients and no artificial colors or flavors. Premier Foods also required bottles that could withstand different processes to suit a wide range of products, some of which need in-pack sterilization, that would be durable in busy foodservice environments and provide a long, ambient shelf life in order to avoid expensive, chilled storage space. RPC Corby developed a custom, asymmetrical container shape with an embossed swirl on the label panel and an offset neck that's easy to spot in the kitchen. Weighty enough to enhance pouring, the blow-molded bottle features UV inhibitors for enhanced product protection, a large decoration area and a resealable closure supplied by RPC Halstead.