With takeout so convenient these days, everyone encounters a variety of lunch boxes every day. But the question is: Are the plastic to-go boxes we use safe? Are they harmful to our health? These questions need answers. So, how do you determine if a lunch box is food-grade safe? Let's take a look.
1. Why Is the Safety of To-Go Box Materials so Important?
Plastic to-go boxes come into direct contact with the food we eat, so safety is paramount.
Basic Requirements for To-Go Boxes in Various Countries
Many countries have strict standards for lunch boxes. For example, the US FDA, the EU, and China all have comprehensive regulations requiring that lunch boxes be harmless to the human body and free of toxic substances. Therefore, when choosing to-go boxes for food, these standards are crucial considerations for product safety.
Risks of Substandard To-Go Boxes
Using substandard plastic to-go boxes may contain harmful substances such as plasticizers and heavy metals. Once these boxes are used for a long time, these harmful substances can migrate into the food and pose a health risk. Some lunch boxes can deform upon heating and even produce an unpleasant odor, posing a significant risk.
The Market Is Placing Increasing Emphasis on Safe To-Go Boxes
With increasing awareness of food safety, restaurants and food delivery platforms are also paying more attention to this issue. When purchasing lunch boxes, they prioritize safety certifications to ensure that to-go boxes meet food safety standards.
2. Safety Comparison of Common To-Go Box Materials
Lunch box materials vary in safety and application scenarios.
PP (Polypropylene)
PP is the most common material used to make plastic to-go boxes. It is microwave-safe, non-toxic, oil-resistant, and heat-resistant, making it very convenient. However, be careful not to reuse it too often or exceed its heat resistance. PP lunch boxes remain a good choice for catering businesses.
PET (Polyester)
PET is highly transparent and is commonly found in cold drink cups and salad boxes, allowing for a beautiful presentation and a clean appearance. However, it is suitable only for cold food and not for heating. If used with hot soup or in the microwave, it can easily release harmful substances. Therefore, PET to-go boxes are more suitable for cold chains and cold drink applications.
PLA (Polylactic Acid)
PLA is an environmentally friendly material made from plant starch and is biodegradable, in line with contemporary environmental trends. Chinese to-go boxes made with PLA are environmentally friendly. However, PLA is also not heat-resistant and easily deforms when exposed to high temperatures, making it suitable only for cold food and not for hot soup or hot rice.
3. How Can I Quickly Determine if a To-Go Box Is Food-Grade?
Check the Labels
Qualified plastic to-go boxes are typically marked with a "cup and fork" symbol, indicating they are suitable for food contact. Some also have recycling labels and material codes, which can help you determine if the box meets food safety standards.
Check the Certifications
Regular to-go boxes for food will come with test reports. International markets have very strict testing requirements for lunch boxes. Common certifications include FDA, SGS, and LFGB. These certify that the boxes meet standards for heat resistance, heavy metal content, and migration levels. Avoid substandard products whenever possible.
Check the Manufacturer
Choosing a reputable manufacturer is the first step to ensuring to-go box safety, especially a qualified Chinese to-go box factory. For buyers purchasing in bulk, choosing a reputable manufacturer minimizes risk. These factories undergo rigorous testing, including those of ISO and FDA standards, ensuring their products are reliable.
4. How Do We Ensure the Safety of Our To-Go Boxes?
As a food box manufacturer, Yangrui understands the importance of food safety and offers a wide range of options.
A Wide Variety of Products to Suit Different Needs
We offer to-go boxes made from a variety of materials, including heat-resistant plastic to-go boxes, eco-friendly PLA boxes, and even paper pulp. We can recommend suitable to-go boxes for different catering businesses based on their specific needs.
Strict Testing and International Certifications
Our products are certified by SGS, FDA, and BPI, ensuring food safety from raw materials to finished products. Our Chinese to-go boxes for export, in particular, undergo multiple rigorous tests, ensuring peace of mind for our customers.
Global Supply Chain, Serving Different Customers
Leveraging German molding machines and years of production and export experience, we provide one-stop services to numerous food delivery chains, airline catering, and catering companies. Our to-go boxes for food are exported to numerous countries and have earned the long-term trust of our customers.
Where to Buy Plastic To-go Boxes?
Yangrui specializes in PP, PET, PS, PLA, and paper pulp lunch boxes, as well as custom Chinese to-go boxes. We support custom printing and global shipping. Through our supply channels, you can quickly obtain to-go boxes for food that meet international standards, ensuring food safety while meeting your company's environmental and brand image needs.
Contact Information:
Email: sales@packagingbag5.com
Tel: +86 180 8644 3226
References
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Food Contact Materials Guidance.
- European Commission. EU Regulation No. 10/2011 on Plastic Materials and Articles Intended to Come into Contact with Food.
- China National Food Safety Standard. GB 4806 Series – Food Contact Materials.
- SGS Testing Reports. Food Contact Safety Assessment of Plastic Food Containers.
- BPI Certified. Biodegradable Plastics and Compostable Packaging Guidelines.
