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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 SywSloFwVdxIIy3FCmPKID0FQh/1cj7NIHA1pXpz4JY8VQ7BUNJXaMrj4Kb5WddU
 jI/f50PVnf1sMpdlqRuGvw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001225208-09-006343.txt : 20090305
<SEC-HEADER>0001225208-09-006343.hdr.sgml : 20090305
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090305160523
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001225208-09-006343
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090304
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090305
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090305

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DARNALL ROBERT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001178443

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-15157
		FILM NUMBER:		09659004

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1801 MARKET STREET
		CITY:			PHILADELPHIA
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19103-1699

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PACTIV CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001089976
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PLASTICS, FOIL & COATED PAPER BAGS [2673]
		IRS NUMBER:				362552989
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 WEST FIELD CT
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8474822000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1900 WEST FIELD CT
		CITY:			LAKE FOREST
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60045

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	TENNECO PACKAGING INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990706
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-03-04</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001089976</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PACTIV CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PTV</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001178443</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DARNALL ROBERT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1500 N. LAKE SHORE DR., UNIT 20C</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>CHICAGO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60610</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Equivalent Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-03-04</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>30670</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The stock equivalent units convert into common stock on a one-for-one basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Stock Equiv. Units acquired and held pursuant to the Pactiv Corp. Deferred Comp Plan are payable in cash or stock upon the holder's death, termination of employment or service as a director, or at the time specified in the holder's Deferral Election.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Erick R. Opsahl, Attorney In Fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-03-05</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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