A pre-packaged sandwich is often an easy on-the-go snack, particularly for those that work in an office - but how it's made is something we rarely give much thought to.
.jpg_yAbgA6?tr=w-1024,cr-0.0.1024.686&config=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)
Often, the most brainpower you give a to-go sandwich is what combination of flavors you fancy that day - but seeing the process unmasked has left some snackers seriously stunned.
It turns out that making meal deal sandwiches is actually a bit of an undertaking.
Shared on YouTube by the Science Channel, a video produced by How It’s Made offered an eye-opening look into the intricate process that brings pre-packaged sandwiches to our supermarket shelves.
The first stop is an automated machine where workers meticulously load fresh sliced bread while inspecting for imperfections, promptly discarding any slices that don’t meet the standard.
Next, a roller takes over, spreading butter onto each slice before they proceed down the assembly line to have mayonnaise applied… apart from the sandwiches with no mayo of course.
Next, the bread comes down a conveyor belt to where a row of workers with hairnets, beard nets, sleeve covers - but no gloves - places the rest of the ingredients inside the sandwich by hand.
Once filled, the sandwiches head to a machine that slices them into triangles ready to be packaged.
A second part of the video shows how sandwiches with the same ingredients are made in bulk, through a full automated process, with a machine slathering on the sauces and fillings with incredible precision, using robotic arms and everything.
“That’s really interesting, I’ve always wondered how premade sandwiches/wraps are made!,” said one person in the comments.
Whilst another wrote: “Can you just imagine all of that equipment which probably needs to be sanitized after each production. Mindboggling.”
“My biggest take away is that the two halves in the pack aren't from the same sandwich,” said a third.
Some people did express an ick about the amount of glove-less hands, though.
“I love how the workers are covered up so much you’d think they worked in a biohazard lab handling petri dishes of ebola except they don’t wear gloves…,” one person chimed in, echoing the thoughts of many.
Another joked: "It’s great how the workers use their bare hands to feel the connection of everyone before and after them who has touched the sandwich."
Someone else joked: "It's been years since I've bought a premade sandwich and after seeing this I can confidently say it will be many more years to come before I buy another."
I think I'll pass on the meal deal sandwich for a while, too...