There are too many options available for the packaging of hot and cold foods. It is good news and bad news at the same time. The good news is that there are many options to choose from, and the bad news is that you are going to have to go through a mind-boggling process to make sure that you are selecting the right option only.
Two of the most popular options for the packaging of hot and cold prepared foods are plastic clamshells and Styrofoam containers.
These packaging items look similar at first glance. While looking at both of them, you might think about choosing one or another for whatever packaging task you have at hand.
The problem with this approach is that each of these types of packaging materials is well-suited for its own set of specific applications. Choosing a container for an application is not made for can result in damage to the packaging.
In this article, we are going to talk about both plastic clamshells and Styrofoam containers.
Plastic clamshells
If you want to get the carded packaging supplies that are the easiest to work with, you can consider using plastic clamshells. These containers feature two shells that are sealed on one side, while the other side has two clasps to make the container easy to open and close.
There are several types of materials used in the making of plastic clamshells, but the most common ones include polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyester. A thermoforming device is used for the molding of these materials to give them the shape of the container.
Plastic clamshells are commonly used for the packaging of products such as salad, sandwiches, fruits, cakes, and hot prepared foods. Because these containers are not sensitive to heat, they keep the hot foods hot for longer durations.
These containers are easy to recycle, which means that they are not harmful to the environment.
Styrofoam food containers
Styrofoam food containers are immensely popular among food brands and customers. Foods that are frequently packed in these containers include salad and chicken wings. These containers are ideal for the “gran-n-go” kind of foods.
The material used in the making of these containers is polystyrene. The process of making Polystyrene foam involves the use of chemicals such as benzene and several other gasses. These chemicals and gasses bind to form Styrofoam.
The problem with Styrofoam food containers is their tendency to become toxic to the foods packed inside them. It is mainly due to the presence of chemical compounds in their composition. Putting hot foods inside these containers can trigger the release of toxins that are known for causing cancer. That’s the reason that food packaging companies are replacing Styrofoam food containers with plastic clamshells. In some cases, the use of these containers is still the best option.
If you are confused regarding which packaging option to choose from these two packaging materials, you can talk to a packaging consultant.
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