Canned tomato paste is one of the most widely used concentrated tomato products in the global food industry.
It serves household consumers, restaurants, catering chains, and industrial food manufacturers.
The choice of packaging type is critical for product safety, flavor retention, logistics efficiency, and retail success.
This guide explains the main canned tomato paste packaging types and their advantages, with SEO‑friendly,
industry‑oriented information suitable for blogs, directory pages, and industry resource pages.
The term canned tomato paste is often used broadly in international trade to describe
tomato paste packed in various hermetically sealed containers, not only traditional metal cans.
In practice, tomato paste may be packed in:
Each tomato paste packaging type has specific advantages in shelf life,
transportation, product protection, and marketing.
Understanding these packaging formats helps buyers and manufacturers select the best option
for retail, foodservice, or industrial applications.
When evaluating different canned tomato paste packaging types,
several technical and commercial factors should be considered:
Metal cans are the most traditional and still the most widely recognized
canned tomato paste packaging format.
These cans are typically made from tinplate steel or aluminum,
often with an internal food‑grade lacquer to prevent corrosion and interaction with the acidic tomato product.
Package sizes vary by region and application.
The following table provides typical metal can packaging specifications for
canned tomato paste:
| Can Size (Approx.) | Typical Net Weight | Common Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 70 g / small round can | 60–70 g | Retail, single recipe, home use | Convenient portion; often with easy‑open lid |
| 140 g / 150 g can | 135–150 g | Retail, household cooking | Popular in supermarkets; compact size |
| 190 g / 200 g can | 180–210 g | Retail and foodservice | Balance between portion size and price |
| 400 g can | 380–410 g | Retail family pack | Common in many markets |
| 800 g / 850 g can | 780–850 g | Foodservice, restaurants | Efficient for small catering operations |
| 2.2 kg / 2.3 kg can | 2.15–2.5 kg | Foodservice, institutional kitchens | Often 6 or 12 cans per carton |
| 3 kg can | 2.8–3.1 kg | Large restaurants, catering | Economical for high‑volume use |
| 4.5 kg can (A10 style) | 4.3–4.5 kg | Industrial kitchens, canteens | Standard large‑size foodservice can |
Tomato paste is classified based on its Brix (soluble solids content) level.
Common concentrations in canned tomato paste are:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Glass jars and bottles are another important tomato paste packaging type,
especially favored in markets that value premium image, product visibility, and re‑closable packaging.
Glass packaging is typically sealed with a metal twist‑off cap and may be filled hot and then pasteurized or sterilized.
| Jar Size | Typical Net Weight | Common Brix | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small jar (100–130 ml) | 100–120 g | 18–30% Brix | Retail, single or small family use |
| Medium jar (190–250 ml) | 190–250 g | 18–30% Brix | Retail, frequent cooking households |
| Large jar (300–500 ml) | 300–500 g | 18–30% Brix | Retail and foodservice |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Flexible packaging, including small sachets and stand‑up pouches, is an increasingly popular
tomato paste packaging type in many markets.
These packages are usually made from multi‑layer laminates with good barrier performance
and can be designed for single‑use or multiple uses.
| Pouch Type | Typical Net Weight | Common Brix | Usage Scenario |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small sachet | 50–70 g | 18–24% Brix | Single meal, airline catering, fast food |
| Medium flat pouch | 100–200 g | 18–30% Brix | Retail, small families, travel |
| Stand‑up doy‑pack | 200–500 g | 18–30% Brix | Retail, frequent cooking households |
| Spouted pouch | 350 g–1 kg | 18–30% Brix | Retail and foodservice, easy pouring |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Some markets use rigid plastic containers and tubs as a modern alternative
tomato paste packaging type.
These containers are usually made from polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET),
or high‑density polyethylene (HDPE), depending on required properties.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
For industrial users and food manufacturers, large steel drums are
a key canned tomato paste packaging type.
Drums are normally used for high‑Brix tomato paste that will be further processed into
sauces, ketchup, Soups, or other tomato‑based products.
| Packaging Type | Net Weight | Typical Brix | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non‑aseptic steel drum | 220–250 kg | 28–30% / 36–38% Brix | Industrial processing with further heat treatment |
| Aseptic bag‑in‑drum | 200–230 kg | 28–30% / 36–38% Brix | High‑quality industrial applications; longer ambient storage |
| Small steel drum | 50–80 kg | 28–30% / 36–38% Brix | Medium‑size foodservice and processors |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Aseptic packaging is widely used for industrial tomato paste
and for some foodservice applications. In this system, sterilized tomato paste is filled into
a pre‑sterilized bag (usually multi‑layer plastic with high barrier) in a sterile environment.
The bag is then placed in a corrugated box, drum, or rigid IBC container.
| Packaging Format | Typical Net Weight | Common Brix | Usage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aseptic bag‑in‑box | 5–25 kg | 18–30% / 28–30% Brix | Foodservice, small industrial users |
| Bag‑in‑drum | 200–230 kg | 28–30% / 36–38% Brix | Large‑scale processors |
| IBC (intermediate bulk container) | 800–1200 kg | 28–30% / 36–38% Brix | High‑volume industrial applications |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
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The following comparative table summarizes the key characteristics of
different canned tomato paste packaging types.
It can be helpful for buyers, importers, and product managers
who are choosing between can, pouch, jar, drum, and aseptic systems.
| Packaging Type | Typical Net Weight Range | Main Application | Shelf Life (Ambient) | Barrier / Protection | Consumer Convenience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal can | 70 g – 4.5 kg | Retail, foodservice | Up to 2–3 years | Excellent | High; widely familiar, easy‑open ends possible |
| Glass jar / bottle | 100 g – 500 g | Retail, premium products | 12–24 months | Excellent | Very high; re‑closable and visible product |
| Flexible pouch / sachet | 50 g – 1 kg | Retail, foodservice | 6–18 months (depending on structure) | Good to very good | High; lightweight and easy to open |
| Plastic container | 200 g – 2 kg | Retail, foodservice | 6–18 months (depending on material) | Moderate to good | High; re‑closable, unbreakable |
| Steel drum | 50 kg – 250 kg | Industrial processing | Up to 1–2 years (non‑aseptic) | Excellent | Low; for industrial use only |
| Aseptic bag‑in‑box / IBC | 5 kg – 1200 kg | Industrial and foodservice | Up to 18–24 months | Excellent | Low; designed for professional users |
Choosing the right tomato paste packaging type depends on
product positioning, target market, distribution channel,
and storage conditions.
Retail products often focus on portion size and shelf appeal,
while industrial packaging optimizes volume and logistics.
Different canned tomato paste packaging types serve different parts of the value chain.
The table below links packaging formats to their main usages.
| Packaging Type | Main Buyer Segment | Typical End Use |
|---|---|---|
| Small metal cans (70–200 g) | Retail, supermarkets, convenience stores | Home cooking, single recipes, small households |
| Medium cans (400–850 g) | Retail and small restaurants | Family meals, small foodservice kitchens |
| Large cans (2.2–4.5 kg) | Hotels, restaurants, catering (HORECA) | Bulk cooking, canteens, institutional kitchens |
| Glass jars (100–500 g) | Retail, specialty stores | Premium pastes, organic and value‑added products |
| Pouches and sachets (50–500 g) | Retail, fast food, airline catering | Portion packs, ready‑to‑use convenience packs |
| Spouted pouches (350 g–1 kg) | Retail and foodservice | Frequent use tomato paste, easy dispensing |
| Plastic tubs (500 g–2 kg) | Foodservice, bakery, catering | Short‑term storage in kitchens, chilled or ambient |
| Steel drums (220–250 kg) | Sauce producers, ketchup manufacturers | Raw material for processed foods |
| Aseptic IBC containers | Large food factories and global brands | Continuous large‑scale production of tomato products |
Regardless of the chosen tomato paste packaging type,
product quality and safety must meet regulatory and customer requirements.
Important aspects include:
Many canned tomato paste products undergo thermal treatment to ensure
commercial sterility. The method and parameters depend on the packaging material:
Shelf life of canned tomato paste is influenced by:
Labels on tomato paste packaging usually indicate:
Sustainability is becoming an important consideration in
canned tomato paste packaging. Different materials have different
environmental profiles:
When choosing a tomato paste packaging type,
many buyers evaluate not only cost and performance but also
the environmental impact and recyclability of the chosen packaging.
Selecting the optimal canned tomato paste packaging for a project
involves balancing quality, cost, convenience, and marketing needs.
The following points provide a practical selection guide.
Metal cans and well‑designed aseptic systems generally offer the longest ambient shelf life
for canned tomato paste.
With proper processing and storage, tomato paste in cans or aseptic drums can remain stable
for 18–36 months, depending on product formulation and conditions.
For industrial customers, steel drums and aseptic bag‑in‑drum
or IBC systems are typically the most economical.
They minimize packaging cost per kilogram and simplify handling in high‑volume production.
Glass jars are transparent, re‑closable, and associated with premium quality.
Consumers can see the tomato paste color and texture, and they can reuse the jars at home.
These features make glass jars attractive in certain retail segments,
even though they are heavier and more fragile than other packaging types.
Yes, flexible pouches for tomato paste packaging
are made from food‑grade multi‑layer films with appropriate barrier properties.
When combined with correct filling and heat treatment, pouches can safely preserve tomato paste
within their specified shelf life.
Compliance with regional food contact regulations remains essential.
Industrial users can pump tomato paste from drums or aseptic bags directly into processing equipment.
High‑Brix paste may be diluted and mixed with other ingredients to create sauces, ketchup, or soups.
Non‑aseptic drums may require additional heat treatment,
while aseptic drums can often be used with minimal further processing.
The global market for canned tomato paste offers a wide variety
of packaging types, from small single‑use sachets to large industrial drums and aseptic IBC containers.
Each tomato paste packaging type has specific advantages in shelf life, handling, logistics, cost, and consumer appeal.
Metal cans remain the most established solution for long‑shelf‑life retail and foodservice products,
while glass jars and plastic containers provide convenient, re‑closable options for frequent usage.
Flexible pouches deliver lightweight, attractive, and portion‑controlled packaging,
and bulk systems such as steel drums and aseptic bag‑in‑box formats supply industrial processors
with cost‑efficient tomato paste for further manufacturing.
By comparing performance, cost, sustainability, and market expectations,
manufacturers and buyers can select the most appropriate canned tomato paste packaging
for their specific needs and product strategies.
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Telephone: +86-0478-8271258
E-mail: e-mail sales@sinotom.com
Address: 7F, JINTAI BLDG, SHENGLI RD, LINHE DIST, BAYANNAOER CITY, INNER MONGOLIA, CHINA.
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