Currently, people always have this or that concern about plastic food packaging bags, and some even think that plastic is "toxic". However, industry experts believe: plastic food packaging bags can be used with confidence, but do not use colored plastic bags to hold food.
According to reports, the plastics currently used for food packaging, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polystyrene, have qualified hygienic properties and are safe for food packaging. However, consumers cannot distinguish between food and non-food plastic bags, so a considerable number of unqualified plastic bags are used for food packaging, seriously endangering people's health.
Relevant experts especially remind that when using plastic bags to pack ready-to-eat foods such as cooked food and pastries, it is best not to use colored plastic bags. Because the pigments used for coloring plastic bags have strong permeability and volatility, they are prone to seep out when in contact with oil or heat. If it is an organic dye, it may also contain aromatic hydrocarbons, which have a certain impact on health. In addition, many colored plastic bags are made from recycled plastic. Because recycled plastic contains more impurities, manufacturers have to add pigments to cover them up. However, some plastic bags made from recycled plastic are also white. Experts also point out that there is no particularly effective way to distinguish plastic food bags at present, but one thing is certain: plastic bags produced by non-formal manufacturers and sold on street stalls must never be used for food packaging. In addition, if a plastic bag has a special smell, it cannot be used to hold food.[China Food]
Although plastic food packaging bags are safe, attention should also be paid to the method of use. Do not use plastic bags to hold high-temperature food for a long time. In daily life, it is often seen that people use plastic bags to pack steaming fried cakes, fried dough sticks, etc. If eaten in a short time, there is no great harm, but if overheated food is kept in a bag for a long time, certain substances in the plastic will seep out and affect health. When heating food in a microwave oven, it is best to use microwave-specific plastic bags and special containers. Refrigerated and frozen food in the refrigerator should be wrapped in plastic wrap, not ordinary plastic bags. In addition, when buying plastic wrap, you must look for the QS mark. Not long ago, a plastic wrap brand that passed QS certification (Quality & Safety) reminded people during an educational activity on "buy plastic wrap, look for the QS mark" that they should only buy plastic wrap with the "QS" label with confidence. The special process and materials of plastic wrap have good air permeability and preservation performance, while ordinary plastic bags will cause food to spoil and rot after a short period of use, failing to achieve the purpose of preservation.