“Steam Fresh” packaging from Excelsior Technologies has been ranked as one of just ten packaging innovations that have made the biggest consumer impact in the last decade – bringing “new technologies and innovative designs that have made their lives noticeably better”.

The packs for Birds Eye have pioneered “a new, no-prep method for frozen vegetables packaged in freezer-to-microwave flexible pouches that steam the veggies right in the bag” according to the rankings announced by independent publishing organisation Brand Packaging from their HQ in Illinois, USA.

The technology behind the packs developed by Excelsior enables the flexible pouch to inflate under the pressure of the cooking to the point where built-in micro-channels direct the steam evenly throughout the pack. This brings the benefit of perfectly cooked vegetables, steamed under pressure, for optimum nutrition and taste.

According to the citation, the launch of the Steam Fresh packs introduced the concept of steam-in-the-bag cooking to the USA, “a convenience that has since become, like most conveniences, commonplace”.

Excelsior is in good company, other packaging innovations in the prestigious top ten include ring pull can tops from Campbell’s and upside down squeezable ketchup bottles from Heinz.

The top ten packs of the decade can be seen here.