Abstract: A package having a peelable lid with a controlled tearing guide, comprising a bottom tray having an inner surface defining a receptacle for an object to be packaged and a continuous rim extending around the periphery of the tray and projecting into the interior of the tray at least once at a given point on the periphery to define two compartments in the tray joined by a channel; (b) a lid extending over the bottom tray and having a peripheral edge portion continuously overlying the peripheral rim of the bottom tray and having a predetermined tear line overlying the inward projecting portion of the rim; (c) a heat seal coating applied to the interior surface of the lid in contact with the continuous rim of the bottom tray for heat sealing the lid to the bottom tray; and (d) a controlled tearing guide on the lid for guiding the tear line across one compartment of the tray so that the other compartment of the tray is not exposed when the lid is selectively torn open along the predetermined tear line.