Flexible package with embossed liquid containment cells

A flexible package for packaging a food product, the package comprising:

• a flexible top sheet sealed to a flexible bottom sheet;
• wherein each of the top and bottom sheets has:
• a thickness of between 12.7 μm and 305 μm (0.5 mil and 12 mil);
• a bending resistance of between 5 and 5000 Gurley Units in either the machine or transverse direction;
• a heat resistance to melting up to a temperature of at least 100° C. (212° F.);
• wherein the bottom sheet has a food-contact surface comprising:
• a plurality of embossed peaks and valleys wherein each valley has a defined perimeter with a valley base integrally connected to a valley wall which thereby defines an individual liquid containment cell;
• wherein the number of liquid containment cells per square inch of the bottom sheet is at least 10;
• wherein the food-contact surface has a reduced food contact-surface area that reduces a pre-embossed food-contact surface area by at least 20% to facilitate the retention of water and/or grease released by the food product.