In recent decades, packaging and containers have become important elements in purchasing food. Food is packaged for the purpose of being transported and stored.

1. Metal (Steel, Tin, Aluminium)

The primary application of these metals is in the preservation of food and beverages in cans. Tin-coated steel and aluminium cans are the most widely used. It is an opaque material that provides an advantage to light-sensitive foods.

Tin cans are composed of steel sheet that has been coated with tin as a measure of protection against steel corrosion, particularly when they contain products with a low pH.

Aluminium is increasingly used for canning because it is lightweight, inexpensive, and recyclable. Packaging, bottle closures and wrappers, and laminations contain these materials. It has the same barrier properties as steel, with the added benefit of being corrosion-resistant.

The lamination of layers of aluminium creates aluminium foil. It is a highly adaptable product that makes it possible to preserve or safeguard food in the home. Due to wrinkles, tears, and the fact that they leave marks, however, they are difficult to use with modern packaging equipment.

2. Plastic

Plastic is a formable organic polymer that can be moulded into any desired shape. Decades of experience in food processing and packaging have confirmed its light weight and versatility.

Plastic containers and packaging offer adequate mechanical strength and provide adequate protection against food contamination. Plastics have replaced traditional packaging materials as a result of their lower manufacturing costs and energy consumption.

In addition, they can preserve and protect food for a longer period of time, reducing the need for preservatives. Consumers, they are simple to handle and open and provide a suitable surface for printing labels or logos.

3. Glass

Glass is an inert material that is gas- and vapour-resistant. It is an excellent oxygen barrier and has no effect on food when in contact with it. However, it is brittle and heavy, and its production requires a great deal of energy.

Silica, one of the most abundant raw materials on the planet, is used to make glass, but it is not a renewable resource. Nevertheless, it is recyclable because it can be used repeatedly as a container.

The food industry uses more than 75 billion glass containers per year, primarily for wine, juice, baby food, and soft drinks. Glass containers include bottles (the most common type), jars, glasses, ampoules, jars, etc. Due to the risk of perishability, however, this material is not utilized for frozen foods.

4. Wood, Cardboard, Paper

In the form of paper and cardboard, wood-derived products are widely utilized in food packaging. Paper is a low-cost, lightweight material with excellent printing capabilities. Although it is extremely sensitive to moisture, it can be corrected by combining paper with other substances such as plastic or paraffin.

Cardboard is composed of multiple layers of paper, making it thicker, more durable, and more resistant than paper. It is primarily used for packaging and box-shaped containers.

In recent years, manufacturers of paper and cardboard have paid special attention to issues pertaining to health and the environment by utilizing recycled products that extend the useful life of these raw materials.
Find the best container to use for meal prep in order to keep food safe and durable.…