Have you ever thought about the plastic bags you use for food? Most of us just grab whatever’s handy without thinking about whether it’s safe. But not all plastics are the same when it comes to touching our food.
If you are using the wrong type of plastic bags, you could be allowing chemicals to leach into your food. This can affect the taste and even your health if you eat it. That’s why bags that are made from food-grade polythene are so important. They act like a barrier, that prevents contamination during storage and transport. With them, your food will be kept safe from the processing plant all the way to your kitchen.
Today we’ll explain what is a “food grade polythene bag” and how it differs from food-safe. We’ll also talk about why food-grade poly bags are important for food businesses and home cooks.
So whether you run a food company or just want to keep your kitchen clean, read on to understand why food-grade poly bags matter.
Difference between food-grade and food-safe packaging
You’ve probably seen the terms “food-grade” and “food-safe” for plastic bags and food packaging. But as you understood it from the intro, they’re not the same. Food-safe materials don’t transfer dangerous chemicals into food when used properly. Food-grade includes food-safe items, but it can also cover materials that haven’t been tested, even though they could be safe.
So in short, all food-safe materials are food-grade, but not all food-grade materials are food-safe.
Let me give you an example to make it clearer:
You have two plastic containers for food. One is made from approved food-safe plastic. The other is made from a plastic that isn’t approved.
The food-safe container passed tests showing it doesn’t leach chemicals when storing tomatoes for a month. The other plastic hasn’t been tested, but it may still be fine for keeping tomatoes fresh for a shorter time. It is food-grade, but not certified food-safe.
The main thing to remember is to choose plastic bags or containers for your food that are certified as food safe.
Why Food-Safe Packaging Matters (And You Should Use It)
Whether you’re an owner of a food business or just cooking at home, using proper food-grade packaging is a must. Here are the 3 main reasons why:
Keeps Your Food Fresh and Tasty
- Acts as an impenetrable barrier to lock in freshness
- Prevents transfer of unpleasant tastes and smells from the environment
- Blocks air, moisture, and bacteria that cause spoilage
Follows All the Safety Rules
- Meets strict FDA regulations for food-safe materials
- Complies with laws around food transportation and storage
- Allows you to avoid costly penalties for violations
Stops Contamination Dead in Its Tracks
- Constructed from inert plastics that don’t leach chemicals
- Protects against hazardous substances making people sick
- Seals out dirt, debris, insects, etc.
Using sub-par, non-food grade packaging is just not worth the risk — whether you care about food quality, obeying the law, or keeping your customers safe and healthy.
Food-grade materials are designed specifically to overcome these challenges. They safeguard your products. So don’t cut corners here — your fresh ingredients (and your reputation) are on the line!
Applications of Food-Grade Poly Bags
Food-grade polythene bags have many uses in restaurants, grocery stores, food manufacturing plants, and even in your kitchen at home. Here are some of their most common applications:
At Restaurants:
- Storing raw ingredients like vegetables, meats, and dairy products in the refrigerator or freezer
- Packing takeout orders and leftovers for customers to take home
- Lining containers to keep fried foods crispy
At Grocery Stores:
- Packaging bulk foods like nuts, dried fruits, grains, and candy
- Separating and protecting fresh produce
- Containing frozen items like ice cream and frozen meals
At Food Manufacturing Plants:
- Holding dried ingredients before mixing and processing
- Storing and transporting finished products before packaging
- Lining boxes and containers products get shipped in
At Home:
- Storing leftovers in the refrigerator or freezer
- Packing lunches and snacks
- Separating different foods like meats and veggies in the fridge
- Holding marinated foods while they soak up the flavour
The most important thing is that food-grade polythene bags don’t contain anything that could get into your food and make you sick.
Final word
Food-grade poly bags are great for storing, transporting and packing food. Their special plastic keeps out moisture, air, pests and anything else that could ruin your food.
Don’t risk your food’s quality with inferior packaging. Food-grade polythene is the best way to keep food fresh and safe. Look for polythene suppliers, like Polystar Plastics, who specialise in safe, approved materials made for the food industry. Your food deserves proper protection.
