Food Grade Containers

Keep It Fresh, Keep It Safe

Introducing our premium line of food grade containers, perfect for any commercial kitchen!

Take your bakery creations to new heights with our durable plastic bakery trays. Perfectly sized for your baked goods, these trays will keep your pastries looking and tasting fresh, whether you're transporting them from the kitchen to the storefront, or packaging them for delivery.

Our confectionery trays are a must-have for any candy maker, chocolate maker or pastry chef. These trays are specifically designed for sweets and will keep your treats looking as good as they taste! From chocolate truffles to macarons, these trays will make sure your confections are presented to perfection.

Made with food grade materials and designed for commercial use in the UK and Europe, our food grade containers are built to last and make sure your food stays fresh and safe. Order now and take your food service game to the next level!

What Are Food Grade Containers?

Food grade containers are containers that are made of materials that are safe for use with food products. These containers are typically made of materials such as plastic, glass, or metal, and are designed to store, transport, and package food items. The food-grade quality of a container refers to the materials that the container is made from, ensuring that the container does not release any harmful toxins or chemicals into the food stored inside. They are suitable for use in commercial kitchens, food processing plants and packaging, packaging of food for consumer use. They are also designed to meet specific regulations for food contact applications to be considered safe for food storage, handling, and packaging.

What Are Some Common Uses for Food Grade Containers?

Food grade containers are used in a variety of settings and for a variety of purposes, including:

• Food storage: Food grade containers are often used to store food items in commercial kitchens, grocery stores, and other food service settings. They can be used to keep dry goods, fresh produce, and prepared food fresh.
• Food transport: Food grade containers are also used to transport food items from one location to another, such as from a commercial kitchen to a grocery store or restaurant. They are designed to be durable and keep food safe during transport.
• Food packaging: Food grade containers are also used to package food items for consumer use. They are used to package everything from fresh produce to prepared meals to dry foods like cereals and snacks.
• Food processing: Food grade containers are also used in food processing plants to store, transport, and process ingredients and products.
• Pharmaceuticals or laboratory testing: Some Food grade containers are also used in laboratory, medical or pharmaceutical fields, to store and transport biological or chemical samples that come in contact with food.

They are also suitable for various industries such as agriculture, catering, and food service.

What Are the Different Types of Food Grade Containers?

There are many different types of food grade containers available, which can be broadly classified into four main categories:

• Rigid containers: These containers are made of materials such as plastic, glass, or metal, and are designed to be used over and over again. Examples include plastic tubs and jars, glass jars and bottles, and metal cans and tins.
• Flexible containers: These containers are made of materials such as plastic bags, foil, and wrap, and are designed to be used once or a few times before being thrown away. Examples include plastic bags, cling film, aluminium foil, and parchment paper.
• Reusable containers: These containers are made of materials such as stainless steel, glass, and plastic, and are designed to be used over and over again. Examples include Tupperware, mason jars, and bento boxes.
• Biodegradable containers: These containers are made of materials that can be broken down by microorganisms in the environment, instead of contributing to pollution. Examples include corn starch containers, Bamboo fibre containers and bags made of jute or burlap.

The specific type of food grade container that is best for a particular application will depend on factors such as the type of food being stored or transported, the intended use (storage, transport, packaging), and the regulations related to the food industry.

What Are the Key Features to Consider When Choosing Food Grade Containers?

When choosing food grade containers, there are several key features to consider, including:

• Material: The material of the container must be safe for use with food and should not release any harmful chemicals or toxins. Most food grade containers are made of plastic, glass, or metal.
• Capacity: Consider the size of the container and make sure it is the right size for the intended use.
• Seal-ability: For storage, transport and packaging, ensure the container is airtight and can be sealed to keep food fresh and prevent contamination.
• Durability: Food grade containers should be durable enough to withstand the demands of commercial kitchens, food processing plants, or transport.
• Stack-ability: For storage or transport, consider containers that stackable for easy storage and handling
• Temperature tolerance: Some food grade containers can withstand extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, and preserve the integrity of the food stored inside, others might not be able to withstand such temperature changes and should be avoided for certain applications.
• Regulation Compliance: Food grade containers must meet the regulatory standards, ensure that the containers you choose comply with the local or international food safety regulations.
• Ease of cleaning: Consider the ease of cleaning of the container, as they should be easy to clean and sanitise to prevent contamination.
• Cost: Compare the costs of different types of food grade containers to determine the best option for your budget.

It's important to find the right balance between cost and functionality for your specific use case and industry.

What Makes a Container Food Grade?

A container is considered food grade if it is made of materials that are safe for use with food products and will not release any harmful chemicals or toxins into the food stored inside.

The main criteria for a container to be considered food grade is to be made with food-grade materials, meaning that they are non-toxic and do not release harmful chemicals into the food it will come in contact with. The materials must be free of any harmful contaminants and meet the regulations set forth by the local or international food safety agencies.

Another important aspect to consider is that the manufacturing process of the container should be hygienic and follow good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to prevent contamination.

It's also important to note that food-grade containers must also meet regulations set forth by the local or international food safety agencies, so that the containers are suitable for the intended use, whether storage, transport, or packaging of food.

Some manufacturers will print the indication that the container is food-grade or that it meets food-grade standards on the container itself, however not having this indication does not necessarily make the container not food-grade, it's always important to check with the manufacturer or the regulations to make sure it is safe for intended use.

Can All Plastic Containers Be Used for Food Storage?

Not all plastic containers can be used for food storage, as some plastics may release harmful chemicals or toxins into the food stored inside.

Only plastic containers that are specifically labelled as "food grade" or "safe for food contact" should be used for food storage. These containers are made with food-grade materials that have been tested and deemed safe for use with food products, according to the regulations set forth by the local or international food safety agencies.

Food-grade plastic containers are often made from specific types of plastic, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), that are known to be safe for use with food. The type of plastic is often indicated with a recycling code (usually a number within a triangle symbol) on the bottom of the container, which can be used to identify the type of plastic.

It's also important to note that not all food grade plastics are microwave safe, and not all are suitable for high temperatures, such as dishwashers.

It's best to check with the manufacturer or the regulations to ensure that the plastic container is safe for food storage and intended use.

Are There Any UK or European Industry Standards That Apply to Food Grade Containers?

Yes, there are industry standards and regulations that apply to food grade containers in the UK and Europe.

In the UK, food grade containers must meet the regulations set forth by the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and the European Union (EU). The EU has a regulation called "Regulation (EC) No 1935/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council" which sets out the rules for materials and articles intended to come into contact with food, this regulation applies to all EU member states, including the UK.

These regulations ensure that food grade containers are safe for use with food products and do not release any harmful chemicals or toxins into the food stored inside. They also ensure that the manufacturing process of the container is hygienic and follows good manufacturing practices (GMPs) to prevent contamination.

The FSA also sets out specific guidelines for different types of food grade containers, such as plastic containers, metal containers, and glass containers. It also requires that the containers must be safe for use in contact with food at all stages of processing and use, including storage and transport. They also require that the containers should be capable of withstanding the conditions of use, such as high temperatures, acidic conditions, etc.

Manufacturers of food grade containers must ensure that their products conform to the relevant regulations and standards and must provide safety data sheets or other information to demonstrate compliance.

It's best to check with the specific regulations and guidelines set by the FSA or the EU to ensure that the container is suitable for the intended use and meets the appropriate standards.