Abstract: A description is given of a single-layer or multilayer food casing made of a thermoplastic mixture which comprises at least one aliphatic polyamide and/or copolyamide, at least one inorganic and/or organic filler and if appropriate at least one aliphatic and/or partially aromatic copolyamide having glycol units and/or polyglycol units. The casing has a maximum surface roughness Rmax, determined in accordance with DIN 4768, of 3 to 60 ?m, and a water vapor permeability at a mean thickness of 100 ?m, determined as specified in DIN 53122, of less than 50 g/m2.d. It thus has a particularly matte, rough, and very natural surface structure. The casing is produced by extrusion using an annular die and subsequent film blowing or biaxial stretch orientation. It is suitable as an artificial sausage casing, especially for scalded-emulsion sausage.