Plastic containers have become one of the first choices for food storage due to their lightness, durability, and affordability. However, not all plastic containers are appropriate for storing food. If they aren’t well-chosen, they will affect food safety. So, how to determine which plastic container is suitable for storing food? This article will give you an elaborate analysis.
How to Judge Whether Plastic Containers Are Suitable For Food Storage?
Check the Material Code of the Container
Plastic products usually have a triangular mark on the bottom, and the number represents the material code. The following are several safe plastics suitable for food storage:
- No. 1 PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is commonly used in disposable beverage bottles and is suitable for short-term food storage.
- No. 2 HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is suitable for storing foods such as milk and juice, has good cold resistance, and is suitable for frozen foods.
- No. 4 LDPE (low-density polyethylene) is commonly used in plastic wrap and food bags. It is strong and flexible and suitable for refrigeration.
- No. 5 PP (polypropylene) is the most commonly used food storage plastic. It is strong and heat resistant, so it can be used for microwave heating and long-term storage.
Reminder: Avoid using containers made of materials such as PVC, PS, and other materials that are not clearly marked as 7 (other) to contact food, to prevent harmful substances from migrating into the food.
Whether the “Food Safety” Certification is Marked
When buying plastic containers, please prefer products with the “food safety” certification mark, such as US FDA certification, China GB certification, etc. These marks indicate that the product has passed the formidable testing of the food contact materials.
Heat Resistance and Microwave Suitability
Some plastic containers for food storage might release harmful substances under conditions of high temperature. While purchasing, one should not forget to pay attention to whether the container is marked with words like “Microwave Safe”, especially for those used to heat food.
Recommended Plastic Containers for Food Storage
Refrigerated and Frozen Food Storage
The materials HDPE or LDPE are the best for making plastic boxes that store refrigerated and frozen foods, since they are very resistant to low temperatures and do not crack easily. At the same time, they seal well and prevent spoilage of food effectively.
Heated Food Storage
Because of its better heat resistance, polypropylene (PP) containers are the first choice. It is safe to put containers in a microwave oven for heating besides holding high-temperature foods.
Disposable Food Packaging
If you store food for a short period of time, then plastic containers made from PET material No. 1 are relatively inexpensive and highly practical. Of course, one must consider the aspect that the usage of PET containers should not be repeated or expose them to high temperatures over a long period of time.
Tips to Avoid Potential Risks of Plastic Containers
Regularly Check Whether the Container is Aged or Deformed
Aged, cracked or deformed plastic containers may cause harmful substances to leak out and should not be used.
Avoid Storing High-temperature Greasy Foods for A Long Time
Greasy foods are prone to absorb harmful substances in plastics. It is recommended to use glass or ceramic containers instead.
Choose Colored Plastic Containers with Caution
Some colored plastics may have unsafe pigments added. Transparent or natural containers are preferred.
Environmental Tips: How to Reduce the Impact of Plastics on the Environment
To reduce the burden of plastics on the environment, we can start with the following points:
- Prefer reusable plastic containers, such as storage boxes made of food-grade PP.
- Correctly sort and recycle waste plastics and send them to professional recycling agencies for processing.
- Avoid excessive use of disposable plastics and use more environmentally friendly materials instead.
LEBO’s Food-grade Plastic Containers Provide You With A Safe Choice
As a manufacturer of daily plastic products with more than 30 years of manufacturing experience, LEBO has always focused on providing consumers and wholesalers with high-quality food-grade plastic containers. Our wadah plastik grosir are not only beautiful, but also focus on safety and practicality, and strictly follow international food safety standards.
Rich Product Variety to Meet the Needs of Multiple Scenarios
LEBO’s food-grade plastic containers are complete, including:
- Sealed food boxes: suitable for storage of refrigerated, frozen and room temperature foods, keeping food fresh and preventing odor contamination.
- Portable lunch boxes: light and easy to carry, suitable for takeout, lunch boxes and travel.
- Microwave heating containers: made of high-temperature resistant PP material, safe for microwave heating.
Food Safety Guarantee, Reliable Quality
All our wadah plastik grosir have passed strict food contact material testing and meet China’s GB standards, US FDA certification and other international food safety certification requirements. Each product undergoes a strict quality inspection process, from material selection to production, to packaging, to ensure that each batch of products can be used with confidence.
Wholesale Service, Flexible Purchasing Solutions
LEBO not only provides retail users, but also provides customized services for wholesale customers:
- Bulk purchase discounts: Whether it is a catering company, supermarket, or takeaway packaging supplier, we can provide competitive wholesale prices.
- Customized service: Design exclusive plastic containers according to your needs, including size, color, printing pattern, etc., to enhance your brand image.
- Fast delivery capability: Relying on advanced production lines and efficient warehousing systems, we can meet the short-time delivery needs of large-volume orders.
Sustainable Environmental Protection Concept, Promote Green Development
LEBO pays attention to environmental issues and is committed to providing reusable and recyclable plastic containers. Our production process strictly controls resource waste and actively promotes the use of environmentally friendly materials to contribute to global sustainable development.
Choose LEBO to Make Food Storage Safer and More Efficient
LEBO always puts customer health and convenience first and is committed to providing every consumer with safe and economical food-grade plastic containers. Whether you need to purchase portable lunch boxes for daily family use or purchase catering packaging solutions in bulk, LEBO can provide you with the most professional products and services.
Welcome to visit LEBO official website to explore our wholesale food-grade plastic container series! Contact our sales team to get more wholesale details and preferential quotes. Let LEBO be your safe choice for food storage and jointly open up a healthy and environmentally friendly future!