We cannot stress enough that the packaging matters as much as the food content inside it.
Quality packaging keeps food fresh, safe, and ready for consumers. Having said that, it is important to choose the right type of bags to leverage such advantages, whether you run a restaurant, manage a food processing unit, or package snacks for retail.
This is where food-grade plastic bags and FDA-compliant plastic bags shine. These bags protect food from contamination, improving shelf life and supporting overall food packaging safety.
If you want to know more about these bags, join us as we walk through their key features.
What Makes a Plastic Bag “Food Grade”?
Food-grade plastics are made from food-grade materials. These materials don't transfer harmful chemicals, odors, or tastes into the food. To ensure they are safe for direct contact with food items like meat, veggies, and frozen foods, these bags are thoroughly tested.
A food-grade material is required to meet certain quality standards. It should be non-toxic, durable, and strong enough to protect food from the outside environment.
Understanding FDA-Compliant and FDA-Approved Bags
To become a "food-grade" bag, plastic bags are required to be in line with the safety measures set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These safety guidelines determine which packaging is fit to be used for food. They also control the way packaging is produced, stored, and used.
The bags that are FDA approved undergo rigorous testing to ensure that they are safe for both dry and wet foods. They are also required to be free from chemicals that penetrate into the food, even if the food is oily, acidic, or frozen. Due to this fact, the plastic bags that are FDA-compliant are highly regarded in the food industry packaging industry.
That’s why FDA-approved bags ensure high levels of hygiene in restaurants, grocery stores, cloud kitchens, snack brands, and meal prep companies.
Why Food-Safe Packaging Matters
Food contamination can make your business vulnerable to health issues, legal problems, and, above all, damage to your brand reputation. In 2020, a Californian food company was hit with $25 million fine after being charged with its involvement in foodborne illness outbreaks between 2015 and 2018.
Using the right packaging for food products is important to protect both customers and your brand image as well.
Here are some key reasons why food-safe packaging matters:
Prevents Contamination
Poor-quality bags can make food prone to bacteria, dirt, and chemicals. Food-grade plastic bags create a clean barrier between the food and the environment, thereby lowering this risk.
Maintains Freshness
Good packaging also plays an important role in maintaining the freshness of food for longer. While it prevents moisture loss, it protects the contents from air exposure and temperature changes as well.
Supports Hygiene Standards
Food businesses need to follow strict hygiene rules. When they use certified food packaging, they are better prepared to meet safety audits and comply with government regulations as well.
Protects Food during Transportation
Before reaching the end customers from the factory, the food items go through several steps. It is important to protect them from tears, leaks, and spoilage along the way, which is why FDA-compliant plastic bags are important.
Builds Consumer Confidence
Consumers prefer the safe and tested products. It also applies to the product packaging. Quality packaging makes them feel confident about the products, leading to repeat purchases and brand loyalty.
Types of Food-Grade Plastic Bags
There are various types of food-grade plastic bags. This is because different foods need different kinds of protection. Here are some common options.
Polyethylene (PE) Bags
These bags are versatile, powerful, and cheap. They are ideal for fruits, vegetables, bread, candy, and snacks.
Polypropylene (PP) Bags
PP bags are more transparent and harder. They are suitable for products like nuts, dry fruits, cookies, and chips.
Vacuum Bags
These bags seal and remove the air, thus preserving food. They are highly recommended for meat, poultry, fish, and cheese.
Zip-Top Bags
These safe food storage bags are convenient to open and close, and they are ideal for use in the house and meal preparation services.
Freezer Bags
Freezer-safe bags are thick and durable, which prevents food from freezer burn and loss of moisture.
Why Food Businesses Should Choose Certified Food Packaging
Food businesses face a lot of competition. One factor that is essential to stand out is your packaging. Certified food packaging assures businesses that they are meeting food safety requirements while delivering a product that looks professional.
Here’s why certified packaging stands out:
Safety Assurance
It reduces the health risks and is in line with international standards.
Better Shelf Life
Proper packaging leads to a longer life of products, which reduces wastage and enhances profitability.
Better Presentation
Food is more attractive when it is packaged in clean, clear, and tough packaging. This helps boost sales.
Compliance with Regulations
Plastic bags that are FDA-approved ensure that businesses will not be fined, penalized, or sued.
Applicable to All Foods
FDA-approved bags can accommodate a great number of different products, including dry snacks and raw meat.
Food companies that rely on large distributors or export outside the nation require FDA-compliant packaging as a part of quality control. Apart from ensuring food safety, it paves the way to new markets.
How to Identify Safe and Genuine Food-Grade Bags
Not every bag that is sold online or in the marketplace is actually food safe. Here are some parameters that can help you choose the right food-grade bags.
Check Labels
Make sure their labels read terms like "food grade", "FDA compliant", "FDA approved", or "safe for food contact".
Verify Certification
Look for certification and testing reports from reputed suppliers.
Inspect Material Quality
The bags should be clean, smooth, and free of smell without any visible flaws.
Choose Trusted Suppliers
Always work with reliable manufacturers and suppliers.
Food-grade materials are checked on a number of occasions before they are sold. In the case of bulk purchasing, one should ensure that the packaging is actually safe.
Final Thoughts
Whether you sell raw ingredients or deliver ready-to-eat meals, choosing the right packaging maintains the safety, freshness, and integrity of the products. It then translates into some bigger benefits, such as supporting compliance, promoting better health standards, and above all, building customer trust.
If you are looking for high-quality FDA packaging, look no further than iSell Packaging. We are a trusted supplier of FDA packaging to every industry. Our products are backed by genuine pricing and comply with regulations.
Contact us to learn more or ask for a quote now!
