Disclosed is an intrinsically stable shirred, tubular, single-layer or
multilayer food casing that preferably has a sigma-5 value
(longitudinal/transversal, measured in a moist state) of less than 20/20
N/mm.sup.2. Said casing is preferably shirred at a ratio of 100:1 or
more, preferably 120:1 to 500:1, and is essentially made of synthetic
polymers. The shirred casing can be stored and transported without using
a net-type envelope and is particularly suitable for processing on fully
automatic sausage stuffing, portioning, clipping, and twisting devices.