A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a base layer and a liner at least partially attached to an inner surface of the base layer, a flange comprising a central panel of the base layer, an opening extending in the central panel, and a sidewall comprising at least a panel foldably connected to the central panel along the opening.

Packaging material includes microwave interactive material and is automatically reconfigurable for selectively controlling transmission of microwave energy through the packaging material. The packaging material is configured to vary, as a function of time, a ratio of microwave energy transmitted through the packaging material. The packaging material is configured so that the microwave energy is automatically selectively transmitted in different ratios.

Processes and systems that enhance the heating of packaged foodstuffs and other items in various microwave heating systems are described herein. The foodstuffs may be contained in a package including one or more energy control elements that interact with microwave energy in order to alter the effect that microwave energy has on the foodstuff. These energy control elements can enhance or inhibit microwave energy and a single package may include one or more energy control elements. In some cases, the energy control element may respond differently to different types of microwave energy. As a result, some packages described herein may exhibit different absorption or reflectance characteristics when exposed to microwave energy while being pasteurized or sterilized in a larger-scale microwave heating system than when the package is reheated in an at-home microwave oven prior to consumption or use.

A container for holding a food product. The container can comprise a base layer and a liner at least partially attached to an inner surface of the base layer, a flange comprising a central panel, an opening extending in the central panel, and a sidewall comprising a plurality of panels. Each panel of the plurality of panels can be foldably connected to the central panel, and at least one panel can be foldably connected to the central panel along the opening. A bottom wall can comprise at least first and second bottom panels foldably connected to respective panels. The second bottom panel at least partially overlaps the first bottom panel so that the second bottom panel extends along the inner surface of the base layer, and the first bottom panel extends along the inner surface of the base layer at least via a cutout in the second bottom panel.