A microwave packaging material for forming a construct for holding a food item. The microwave packaging material can include a film at least partially secured to a substrate by a pattern of adhesive. A plurality of closed cells can extend between the film and the substrate, each closed cell of the plurality of closed cells can be at least partially defined by the pattern of adhesive, and each of the closed cells can be configured to expand during heating to form respective expanded cells. The microwave packaging material further can include a bonded region extending along at least a portion of the microwave packaging material. The film can be secured to the substrate along the bonded region, and the bonded region can be for forming at least one recess among the expanded cells and can be for extending along the food item when the microwave packaging material is heated.

A container for heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy. The container has a tray with a sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, an insert disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray, and a plurality of receptacles at least partially defined by the insert. Each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles can be for at least partially receiving at least one food item of the plurality of food items.

A biodegradable microwave susceptor and constructs incorporating the susceptor are disclosed for heating a food item in a microwave oven. The biodegradable microwave susceptor includes a patterned susceptor layer of metal on a biodegradable substrate. Selected areas of the susceptor layer may be demetallized to remove susceptor material. The susceptor may be incorporated into a construct for containing or supporting a food item to be heated.

A container for heating a plurality of food items with microwave energy. The container can comprise a tray comprising a sidewall extending at least partially around an interior of the tray, an insert disposed at least partially in the interior of the tray, and a plurality of receptacles at least partially defined by the insert. Each receptacle of the plurality of receptacles can be for at least partially receiving at least one food item of the plurality of food items.

A microwave heating construct comprises a base, a wall extending upwardly around the base for defining a cavity for receiving a food item, and a microwave energy shielding element overlying a lower margin of the wall, the microwave energy shielding element having an upper edge including a substantially incurved portion.