Cargill, Wichita, Kan., is said to be the first beef producer to offer EZ Peel packaging for ground beef chubs in retail stores across the United States, beginning January 2017. 

The technology, developed by Bemis Co., Inc., Neenah, Wis., will be exclusively used for Cargill's Our Certified 1-pound ground beef chubs, which come in tube-shaped packaging, as well as in a variety of lean points and source grinds, such as sirloin, chuck and round.

"We know that consumer desires are changing, and our team is diligently working to provide innovative solutions to meet these desires. The new EZ Peel packaging is just one of the latest innovations in Cargill's ground beef products," says Katie Blick-White, brand manager for Cargill's Our Certified ground beef line. "The traditional chub packaging has not been modified for a long time, so this is the first major change to the packaging in years. We're listening to consumers, and want to provide convenience for their home cooking experience, while also maintaining our reputation for delivering high-quality, fresh, nutritious and flavorful meat.  Limiting the need to handle raw ground beef also enhances the food safety aspect of meal preparation. We want to provide consumers with choices in the meat case that meet their desires, and through ongoing consumer research, our goal is to become their preferred ground beef source."