Automatic Meal Container Sealing Machines

There are two Cook Freeze Units within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, located at Inverclyde Royal Hospital and Royal Alexandra Hospital. Each site operates two automatic sealing machines. This VEAT notice is being published to enable both sites to continue purchasing bespoke containers and lidding film specifically designed for use with their current sealing machines, for a period of 12 months. This arrangement will ensure operational continuity until a competitive tender for sealing machines and consumables is undertaken, which is anticipated to be published around May 2026.

The current containers are bespoke to the sealing machines. The container sizes are:

GN 1/2 - 48mm x 325mm x 265mm (Height x Width x Diameter) - Colour White

GN 1/3 - 48mm x 325mm x 176mm (Height x Width x Diameter) - Colour White

GN 1/4 - 55mm x 265mm x 162mm (Height x Width x Diameter) - Colour White

GN 1/8 - 36mm x 161mm x 131mm (Height x Width x Diameter) - Colour White

GN 1/8 - 50mm x 161mm x 131mm (Height x Width x Diameter) - Colour White

The Film sizes are:

335mm x 300mm (Width x Diameter)

400mm x 300mm (Width x Diameter)

The width of the container, particularly the edges, are designed to ensure a uniform tight film sealing lid for produced food that requires reheating with the lid intact. The container size specified is to ensure automatic de-nesting through the machines during the sealing process where heat is automatically applied to the film lid at a temperature between +150⁰c to+170⁰c. This ensures no leaking of produce during the chill/freeze, and reheating cycle in the ovens at ward level. The containers, film and product labels must be able to withstand freezer storage temperatures at -22⁰c for up to periods of 6 months and be able to withstand regeneration temperatures of up to +150⁰c without compromising the food or label information attached.