Understanding Food Grade Plastic Containers: Safety Considerations for the Food Business
Get to know Food Grade Plastic Containers and the safety considerations in the food business
Plastic containers - A must-have for the food business
Food Grade plastic is a type of plastic that is safe for food and beverages. It does not leave any residue in food. It is commonly used to make food containers such as plastic boxes, plastic plates, plastic cups, and water bottles. In addition to commonly seen plastic containers, the food business or food industry factories also need Food Grade plastic containers to hold food ingredients or raw materials used in the food production process. These are usually large containers such as plastic tanks, plastic crates, or plastic boxes. The usage of Food Grade plastic containers has different properties depending on the type of plastic. The law permits the use of 12 types of plastic for food and beverage packaging.
However, 5 types are commonly used in making Food Grade plastic containers:
PP (Polypropylene-PP) Polypropylene plastic. Its prominent features are its high melting point, making it heat-resistant; its transparency; its good moisture protection; and its low density. It is often used to package hot food, such as hot bags, dry food pouches, plastic boxes, plastic crates, plastic trays, and plastic baskets.
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) Polyethylene terephthalate plastic. It is highly tough and flexible, prevents gas leakage, and is resistant to compressive forces. It is commonly used to make water bottles, oil bottles, packaging for frozen foods, and vacuum packaging.
HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) Polyethylene plastic. Its prominent features include its resistance to temperatures below freezing, high density, flexibility, resistance to breakage, resistance to chemicals, and high moisture barrier. It can be made into beautiful colors. It is commonly used to make containers for frozen food, such as plastic boxes, plastic crates for freezing food in freezers.
LDPE (Low Density Polyethylene) Polyethylene plastic. Its prominent features include its excellent moisture protection, permeability to air and fat, good flexibility, tear resistance, toughness, resistance to acids and alkalis, and poor heat resistance. It is commonly used to produce cold bags, water bottles, and bottle caps.
LLDPE (Linear Low Density Polyethylene) Polyethylene plastic. It has low density, is shiny and soft, and withstands high temperatures, cold temperatures, and pressure. Because it is highly heat-resistant, it can undergo sterilization processes to keep food in Retort Pouches free of microorganisms. It is also used to make plastic tanks for cold storage or foam containers for storing fresh food instead of a refrigerator.
Although Food Grade plastic containers may have similar material properties, their uses differ according to the starting materials used in their production. Improper use may cause food contamination, which is dangerous to the health of consumers. For example, plastic boxes and microwaves: choose plastic boxes made from PP plastic because it can withstand high temperatures. Look for the microwave-safe or microwavable symbol on the plastic container you want to use. Or plastic crates or tanks used in factories that need to be kept in cold storage to maintain the quality of raw materials before production should use plastic crates or tanks made from PP and HDPE because they are resistant to low temperatures. Food Grade plastic containers available on the market come in various forms to meet different usage purposes. Therefore, let's get to know Food Grade plastic containers that make the world of the food business even more convenient.
User-friendly and health-safe Food Grade plastic containers
Plastic boxes are popular containers for food packaging, whether in households, restaurants, or food businesses and industrial plants. They are convenient and come in various forms, from plastic food boxes for takeaway meals with compartments to separate different types of food (from 2 to 5 compartments), to plastic boxes used to store food or ingredients in refrigerators, chillers, or cold rooms. These come in small and large sizes to suit the size and quantity of contents. However, plastic boxes used to store raw materials in industrial plants are larger, holding several kilograms; therefore, they need to be strong and durable. They come with or without lids and latches.
Plastic crates are mostly used in food production businesses in industrial plants. They are made from PP and HDPE plastic and used to store raw materials or ingredients in food production. There are various types, such as open-type plastic crates for vegetables and fruits, as they have air or water vents around the crate and can be stacked without damaging the produce inside. Closed-type plastic crates come with or without lids and can hold various ingredients such as meat and chopped vegetables. They can be stored in cold rooms and are multipurpose containers that can be used for non-food items.
Plastic tanks are molded plastic tanks made from thick, strong, and durable LLDPE plastic. They can handle heavy loads and are mostly used for cold storage items. They come in round and square shapes, with or without lids, suitable for cold storage or foam plastic tanks with inner foam injection, keeping food cold for up to two days. They have drainage holes for water drainage and are suitable for storing fresh food instead of a refrigerator. Plastic tanks come in various sizes, with capacity measured in liters.
Plastic plates and plastic cups are mostly made from PET plastic and used for both hot and cold food. They come in various sizes. As they are Food Grade plastic, they are free from carcinogens. Plastic plates and cups are mostly disposable, but nowadays paper plates are preferred because they are more easily biodegradable and environmentally friendly.
Plastic boxes, plastic crates, plastic tanks, or plastic plates are just some of the plastic containers made from Food Grade plastic used in the food business or food industry factories. In addition to storing food and beverages, plastic boxes, plastic crates, and plastic tanks can also be used to store medicines, supplements, or cosmetics. Therefore, when choosing containers or packaging used with the human body for eating or application, choose containers or packaging made from Food Grade plastic to prevent contaminants from entering food, medicine, or cosmetics and causing harm to the body. To determine if the plastic box, plastic crate, plastic tank, plastic plate, or packaging you choose is Food Grade, look for the numbers in the symbol, such as 1 PETE, 2 HDPE, 4 LDPE, 5 PP, or a picture of a glass and fork. These symbols indicate that the plastic box, plastic crate, plastic tank, plastic plate, or plastic packaging is made from Food Grade plastic and is safe to use. In addition to the symbol indicating that the container is made from Food Grade plastic, the standard production is another factor to consider. The relevant industrial product standards are TIS 2884 and 2744-2559, which all containers made from Food Grade plastic should have.
Jenstore by Jenbunjerd is a center for the distribution of storage equipment and Food Grade plastic containers that meet export standards, such as plastic boxes, plastic crates, plastic tanks, and plastic pallets for general use or for various businesses and industries, with guaranteed quality and safety.
In addition to providing manufacturing, distribution, procurement, and export services for industrial products in the group of plastic boxes, plastic crates, plastic tanks, and plastic pallets from the most diverse range of quality brands in Thailand, Jenstore by Jenbunjerd, as a leader in industrial products, offers a wide variety of over 10,000 products that are comprehensive and can effectively meet the needs of customers in all industry groups. Jenbunjerd also provides advisory services on the selection, use, and production of industrial products in various categories from experienced experts in the industrial products sector to help customers receive products suitable for use in various businesses and industries.
These include products in the category of material handling and industrial wheels, hand trucks, 2-wheeled hand trucks, 4-wheeled platform trucks, stainless steel platform trucks, hand pallet trucks, housekeeping carts, cleaning carts, pallet trucks, hand truck wheels, rubber wheels, products in the category of storage equipment, plastic boxes, plastic pallets, plastic crates, tools, tool cabinets, aluminum ladders, steel shelving, stainless steel tables, workbenches, waste bins, chemical spill containment, and industrial fans, ready to upgrade storage and moving within businesses and industries, responding to the needs of industrial products at all levels and industries to the fullest extent possible.
Jenstore is ready to provide product selection services for your business, along with after-sales service, because your satisfaction is Jenstore's top priority.
Contact us for more information or to place an order:
Website : https://www.jenstore.com (Live Chat) Tel : 02-096-9999 (200 lines) Email : [email protected] LINE Official Account: @jenstore Facebook : JenStore - JenStore by Jenbunjerd
2023-09-25