Abstract: An improved automatic and continuous packaging machine is disclosed formed by a support table supporting a turret, the turret being generally hexagonal in configuration said machine further including a plurality of six processing stations for processing a food package, including a first station provided with a magazine for containing a plurality of food pouches, and deposition means for retrieving and depositing a single food pouch on the turret, a second processing station for automatically imprinting upon the food pouch pre-determined indicia, and also including pouch opening means for opening the pouch to its substantial dimension, a third processing station provided with protection means for determining the presence of a properly opened food pouch and in response to the proper signal, food loading means for loading a food product into the open food pouch.