4 Common Paper Bag Materials – How Should We Choose
07/12/2021Kraft paper is an excellent material. Except for making shopping bags, many foods are also packaged with it. In our impression, they all look similar, and most are brown. So, can we use a shopping bag for packing delis like pizzas and hamburgers? The answer is definitely no. The packages which direct contact with foods should be made from food-grade kraft papers; they got a big difference from the ordinary ones.
What Is Food-grade Kraft Papers?
Kraft paper is a common packaging material. It is made from natural fiber, and some recycled kraft is made from the waste paper blended. They are often be used in many fields so that various chemical substances will be added during processing. As a result, the papers got a much beautiful appearance and became easier to be printed.
One of the most common chemical additives is optical brightener, making the paper whiter and lustrous. But these chemical additives are toxic to the human body, not suitable to contact the food directly. So these kinds of paper usually are for making shopping bags and other packages but not for food use.
Food-grade kraft paper is the one which suitable contact the food directly and safe. Because during the processing, none of the chemical additives for beautification are added, so typically, they show brown. For a better food package purpose, some kraft will be processed with some food-grade material, such as glassine paper with edible silicon, for baking. Still, its water and grease proofing performance is not very ideal.
A more common food-grade kraft paper like the one for making food bags and takeaway food containers. They have lined a safe film on the surface. The film looks like wax, so people usually called it wax plated, and the primary ingredients are PE and PP. After lining, the water and grease proofing and the high-temperature resistance performance will increase a lot.
The food-grade kraft paper has one more advantage. The film-lined site can be safe to contact the food, and the other side without lining can be printed with patterns for a better looking. The printing ink can’t infiltrate the other side and pollute the food, because of the blocking of the film.
The Criterion of Food-grade Kraft Paper
Food safety matters a lot. Therefore, every country has its own strict criteria for food packages. For example, the LEGB of Germany and the CE of EU; the FDA of USA is the most versatile. All of them provide an important safeguard on the safety of food packages.
As a purchaser, it is necessary to ask for related authentications from your supplier when ordering food bags or containers. It can protect your customers’ safety and your business benefits.
One thing worth knowing, all JiRong kraft paper food bags and disposable containers had passed related food safety tests. You can purchase them from us without worry.
Common Food-grade Kraft Paper Packages
Food-grade papers are used in various fields. According to the different requirements, they also got different properties.
Takeaway Food Bags
It typically for the takeaway food packaging, like hot dogs and pancakes, etc. The paper of these food bags is relatively thin, with grease proofing film so that the food oil will not seeping out and dirty your hands. And they are very low-cost, require less storage space, which is the best package for the operators of food trucks and bakeries.
Food Products Packing
Some processed food products, like toast, tea, coffee beans, and herbs will be packed into a kraft bag for sale. These kraft bags are thicker. And for longer shelf life, they usually with a reusable sealing zipper to get a better airtightness. According to different requirements, the kraft package bags will with a waterproof inner film or a foil liner. Most of them even with a clear window design so that people can know how much is left inside.
Choose food-grade kraft paper bags here.
Food Containers
Disposable paper food containers are most popular. The kraft paper they used will be piled layers during processing to get a stronger body. It leads to a greater weight capacity and can stay in a stable shape. The bottom of the kraft paper food container is flat rather than folded, also with water and grease proof film. Typically they will be storage at a folded state and can be assembled quickly when using; It saves lots of storage cost.
According to the different cases, kraft food containers are in various designs. Such as the one for hot food packing, which is with air pores can make sure the air ventilation and not let the food get wet.
Tray Covers
Many restaurants will pave a food-grade kraft paper on the tray. On the one hand, it is for protecting the food get polluted by contact the tray directly. On the other hand, the grease-proofing property of the paper can keep the tray clean so that tableware recycling becomes easier. Some chefs will also place the fried food with food-grade paper to reduce the greasy mouthfeel.
Choose disposable food-grade paper containers here.
How To Distinguish Food-grade Kraft Paper & Ordinary Ones
So, how do we distinguish the kraft paper bags/containers are food safe during the purchasing?
First, before confirming the order, you must ask the suppliers to offer the related food safety certifications suitable for your located laws. Suppose you are not sure about that, in that case, the FDA certification is universal most of the time.
When you are inspecting the goods, pick one product randomly, get close, and have a smell. See whether the food placing part has a pungent smell. Most food-grade kraft packages are nearly non-smell.
There is a simple way else. Prepare a fluorescent flashlight, illuminate the product’s surface, and observe the color it reflects.
Food-grade kraft paper will only reflect a slightly yellow light because it doesn’t contain any optical brightener.
Kraft paper with a few recycled paper ingredients will reflect azury light.
If the content of the recycled paper is too high, it will reflect a blue-violet light. That means it contains over much optical brightener and can not be taken as a food package.
