Clear Garbage Bags: Safe For Storing Pans?

It is not safe to store pans or any other food items in clear garbage bags. Food products must be stored in food-grade containers at all times. This means that the container is made of materials that are suitable to come in contact with food during harvesting, processing, or packaging. Garbage bags are not made with food in mind, and there are components that could be harmful to humans. There are other options for storing food, such as zip-top bags and reusable plastic containers.

Clear garbage bags are not made from food-safe plastic

For a material to be certified as food-grade, it must undergo extensive testing by a regulatory agency, such as the USDA, before being approved. The testing focuses on how the material reacts to the composition of the food, as well as how it handles different storage conditions, such as changing temperatures. The material must not affect the colour, odour, or taste of the food in any way. Once the initial testing on the material is completed, the manufacturer must be approved to ensure that they follow Good Manufacturing Practices and are in compliance with local regulations.

When conventional trash bags are produced, they are not made with food in mind, so there are components that could potentially be harmful to humans. This is not an issue if the bags are used for trash only, as the contents will not be consumed. However, if food products are stored in these bags, there is a chance of contamination.

Clear garbage bags are typically made from plastic, which is extracted from petroleum. These bags can take up to 200 years to decompose when buried in the ground, and during this time, they seriously pollute the soil. If they are incinerated, they produce harmful smoke, dust, and toxic gases, leading to long-term environmental pollution.

While there are some eco-friendly alternatives, such as bags made from 100% post-consumer-recycled plastics or compostable/biodegradable options, these tend to be more expensive and less sturdy. The only surefire way to be truly eco-friendly about trash bags is to create less trash, so you don't need as many.

Food must be stored in food-grade containers

Food must always be stored in food-grade containers. This term is used by regulatory bodies in the US and Europe to denote materials that are safe to come into contact with food during harvesting, processing, or packaging.

To be certified as food-grade, materials must undergo extensive testing by a regulatory agency, such as the USDA, to ensure they do not affect the colour, odour, or taste of food. The testing also focuses on how the material reacts to the composition of the food and how it handles different storage conditions, like changing temperatures.

Using food-grade containers is crucial to prevent food contamination. Conventional trash bags, for instance, are not designed with food in mind and may contain components that are harmful to humans if consumed.

There are various food-grade containers available for food storage, including:

• Zip-top bags
• Reusable plastic food storage containers
• Large plastic bags that meet FDA/USDA food handling guidelines
• BPA-free plastic containers
• Deli containers and tubs
• Buckets and pails
• Airtight food storage containers
• Polycarbonate food storage boxes
• Plastic food pans

Food-grade materials undergo extensive testing

Food-grade materials are those that are suitable to come into contact with food during harvesting, processing, or packaging. This term is used by regulatory bodies in the United States and Europe to denote approval for food contact, not edibility.

To become certified as food-grade, materials must undergo extensive testing by regulatory agencies like the USDA or FDA. This testing focuses on how the material reacts to the composition of the food and how it handles different storage conditions, such as temperature changes. The material must not affect the colour, odour, or taste of the food in any way. If any changes are found during testing, the material will automatically fail.

Initial reviews, evaluations, and testing of food contact materials are conducted by organisations like NSF and TÜV SÜD. TÜV SÜD, for example, performs a complete range of food-grade tests and identification tests on most types of food contact materials. They also conduct compositional analyses, microbiological tests, toxicology assessments, ingredient reviews, and packaging adhesive tests, among other services.

Once the initial testing on the material is completed, the manufacturer must be approved to ensure compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices and local regulations. This ensures consistent production to the correct standards.

Food packaging analysis and testing of materials in contact with food are crucial to safeguard human health, protect food products, and support successful food contact notifications. This enables the launch of well-performing packaged products or food processing appliances.

Non food-grade bags may be made with harmful chemicals

When it comes to storing pans or any other items, it is important to exercise caution when using clear garbage bags. While they may seem convenient and readily available, not all garbage bags are created equal, and some may even be harmful to your health.

Non-food grade bags, which include most garbage bags, are not made with food-safe materials. This means that they could be made with harmful chemicals or components that are not meant to come into contact with food. These chemicals can potentially leach into the food, contaminating it and posing a risk to your health. The risk of chemical leaching is especially prominent when the bags are heated, as temperature can act as an accelerator.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and other regulatory bodies in the United States and Europe agree that storing food in contact with non-food-safe plastics is unsafe. This is because these bags may be made with or coated with chemicals that will inevitably leach into the food. Even if the bags are not heated, there is still a chance for contamination over time.

To ensure the safety of your stored items, it is crucial to use food-grade containers or bags that are specifically designed for food storage. These products undergo extensive testing by regulatory agencies to ensure they do not affect the colour, odour, or taste of the food and are safe for their intended use. While it may be tempting to use readily available garbage bags, the potential health risks far outweigh the convenience.

To summarise, non-food-grade bags, including most garbage bags, may be made with harmful chemicals that can contaminate your stored items. Always opt for food-grade containers or bags specifically designed for food storage to ensure the safety of your pans and other items.

There are eco-friendly alternatives to conventional garbage bags

Clear garbage bags are not safe for storing pans or any other food items. Food products must be stored in food-grade containers only. Food-grade materials are those that have been approved to come into contact with food during harvesting, processing, or packaging. These materials undergo extensive testing to ensure that they do not affect the colour, odour, or taste of the food.

Conventional garbage bags are not made with food in mind, and there are components that could be harmful to humans. Therefore, it is important to look for eco-friendlier alternatives to conventional garbage bags. Here are some options:

Reusable Pail Liners

Reusable pail liners, such as those made by Marley's Monsters, are made of polyurethane laminate fabric (PUL). They are water-resistant, machine-washable, and reusable, making them a more sustainable alternative to single-use plastic trash bags.

Compostable Bags

Compostable bags are made from plant-based materials such as sugar cane, surplus crops, corn starch, and GMO-free plants. They break down into a mix of organic and inorganic material over time, usually within a year. While they are beneficial for reducing leftover microplastic pollution in landfills, it is important to note that they require industrial composting facilities to fully decompose.

Recycled Content Bags

Using bags made from recycled content is another eco-friendly option. Brands like Evolution Trash Bags are certified by the UL ECOLOGO Program, and Neat is also a well-reviewed brand in this category.

Make Your Own Trash Bag

You can also make your own trash bags out of newspapers, mailer ads, or leftover craft paper. Paper bags are best suited for dry waste, such as in an office or bathroom waste bin.

Skip the Liner

Depending on the rules of your waste hauler, you may be able to skip the trash can liner altogether. For recycling, most programs require materials to be unbagged. If you do need to bag your waste, consider using only one large trash bin in your home and dumping all smaller bins into that single bag to reduce bag usage.

Frequently asked questions