Caffé Nero single-serve soups are convenient

Launched in October 2005, Caffé Nero's microwavable, single-serve soups have proved phenomenally successful, says the company. Caffé Nero had previously served soup in disposable cups from a soup kettle, but decided to change to a more convenient format that could be kept in the refrigerator and easily microwaved. Manufactured by Joubére, West Sussex, U.K., the product line comprises three core soups, plus a special soup of the month.

Key to establishing these microwavable, single-serve soups was finding a container that fulfilled the need for microwavability and effective reclosability to allow for on-the-go consumption. In addition, the packaging format needed to be easy for Caffé Nero's employees to prepare, and rigid enough to cope with the hot-fill, blast-chill filling technique without paneling. The company chose a plastic container produced by RPC Blackburn (www.rpc-blackburn.co.uk) that is heat-sealed with a printed film membrane and lidded with an overcap manufactured by RPC Hereford (rpc-hereford.co.uk). To prepare the product, the consumer only needs to remove the seal and place the lidded container in the microwave. RPC Blackburn supplied its 350-mL Shaw Pot, which is injection-molded in polypropylene, for a combination of durability and excellent contact clarity.