Food Safety Tip: Use Compostable Packaging

With growing environmental awareness and the impact of items like traditional plastic on waterways, soil, and even wildlife, more and more people are seeking change. But when it comes to how to package food, are there options that are safer for us and the environment?

Compostable packaging offers people a great way to pack and carry food in an environmentally friendly and safe manner. This is due to the natural materials that make up a compostable item and the environmentally friendly way it breaks down back into natural matter.

As everyday consumers become more aware of the value of compostable items, many are now asking about the use of compostable bags. It can be difficult to understand when and where you can use a compostable bag, and when it might not be the right alternative.

Compostable bags are a great alternative to traditional plastics because of their ability to break down into natural substances and the natural components they're made from. This makes them very eco-friendly! But does that make them a good choice for storing food? The answer is: not really.

This is because they lack strength and cannot break down into natural substances compared to traditional plastic bags. However, as far as food safety is concerned, they are non-toxic, so they are safe to carry food for short periods of time.

When you want to preserve the freshness of your food and reduce your environmental impact, you should store your food in compostable packaging. Compostable packaging is a sustainable alternative to traditional plastic packaging for a variety of food products. Here are some situations when you should consider using compostable packaging:

Grocery Shopping: When you're shopping for fresh produce or bulk items, use compostable bags or containers to store fruit, vegetables, grains, or other dry goods.

Food Storage: Transfer leftovers or prepared meals to compostable containers and refrigerate. These containers are suitable for hot and cold food.

Takeout and Restaurant Leftovers: When ordering takeout or taking restaurant leftovers home, ask for compostable packaging options to minimize single-use plastic waste.

Baked Goods: Store bread, pastries, and baked goods in compostable bags or wrappers to keep them fresh.

Picnics and Lunches: Pack meals and snacks in compostable containers or bags for outdoor activities to reduce plastic waste.

Catering and Events: If you're hosting an event or gathering, consider serving food to your guests on compostable plates, cutlery, and containers.

Compost: After using compostable packaging, dispose of it in a compost bin or facility (if available in your area). Compostable packaging ensures that it is returned to the environment in the form of organic matter.

Remember to follow proper food safety practices when using compostable packaging to ensure food is safe to eat. Compostable packaging is an environmentally friendly choice that helps protect the planet while keeping food fresh and safe.

Compostable food containers are generally considered safe for food storage and consumption. The containers are made from materials such as cornstarch, PLA, and PBAT, which break down naturally in the environment. When used correctly and in compliance with food safety guidelines, compostable food containers pose no inherent risk to the safety of the food they contain.

To ensure the safety of compostable food containers, it is critical to follow proper handling and storage practices. Just like any other food storage container, cleanliness is key. Containers should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight to prevent premature degradation. Additionally, consumers should wash their hands before handling food stored in compostable containers to avoid cross-contamination. Knowing and following expiration dates on packaging is also critical to keeping food fresh and safe. Overall, when used in conjunction with responsible food handling practices, compostable food containers offer a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional plastic packaging, contributing to a more sustainable food industry and a healthier planet.

Knowing what is compostable is key to deciding whether to use compostable alternatives and when to use them. The process of composting is essentially the process of placing materials such as compostable plastics or organic materials such as food scraps into a composter.

This material is then broken down by the presence of insects, worms, bacteria, and fungi. Essentially, a compostable material or item is made from renewable plastic and does not contain traditional plastic components. They can also decompose into their natural state under the right circumstances.

A new buzzword that has emerged over the past decade or so is "eco-friendly." Many people wish to become green or more environmentally conscious. But what is environmentally friendly plastic? Are compostable plastics environmentally friendly plastics?

Compostable packaging generally falls into the eco-friendly category! This is because their material composition does not harm the environment. Eco-friendly essentially means something that is better for the environment or does not harm it.

Compostable plastics are manufactured in an environmentally friendly manner and because they break down into natural substances, they are undeniably environmentally friendly.

We know you want to make environmentally friendly and safe choices for yourself, your family and the environment. By coming to this blog, you have already taken the first step! Knowing your options is critical to making the best choice. Also, it's important to know what you're going to do with the product or how much use you're going to get from it.

Compostable packaging such as food and beverage containers does provide a great way for people to pack and carry food in an environmentally friendly and safe manner. Knowing the natural composition of compostable plastics and their ability to fully break down back to nature in the right environment makes them a safe and confident choice.

The above introduces the benefits of compostable bags in terms of food safety. If you want to know more or want to buy compostable bags, please contact us.

TORIS is a professional custom compostable and biodegradable bag manufacturer. Since August 2010, we have been developing a full range of sustainable alternatives to traditional plastics. Our Torise products are made from natural resins derived from plant starches, vegetable oils and compostable polymers that are easily consumed by microbes in the soil. All of our products have international authoritative certifications such as EN13432 (Din Certco), OK Compost, OK Compost HOME (TUV Austria), ASTM D6400 (BPI), AS4736 and AS5810 (ABA).