Is Container as Important as Food?

High-quality, food-grade containers are made of safe, non-porous materials like lead-free borosilicate glass, ceramic, or stainless steel.

- DR P.S. VENKATESH RAO

A food container is as important as its contents to ensure food safety during storage and transport, by providing a physical, chemical, and biological barrier against bacteria, pests, moisture, chemicals, pollutants, and odors, thus preventing contamination, spoilage, and food-borne illnesses.

High-quality, food-grade containers made of safe, non-porous materials like lead-free borosilicate glass, ceramic, or stainless steel are free of harmful chemicals and easy to clean. Air-tight containers of appropriate size minimize air space and help keep food fresh.

FOOD PACKAGING: As enumerated in an earlier article, food-grade packaging is free from harmful chemicals and residues that could contaminate the food. Many food packaging materials contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food, particularly when exposed to heat, fatty substances, or acidic ingredients.

Over time, these chemicals like BPA and other bisphenols, phthalates, PFAS, the "forever" chemicals, vinyl chloride, and styrene contribute to serious health risks, including hormone disruption, cancer, thyroid and immune toxicity, and metabolic disorders.

BPA is found in the lining of cans, phthalates in plastic food wrap, PFAS in containers, and styrene in Styrofoam cups. Many conventional tea bags release microplastics, bleach, and other chemicals into your tea and the environment.

Black recycled plastic cutlery and trays may contain residues from electronic waste. Reused plastics, certain food-poisoning colors, and printing on the inner food-contact surface of food packs are prohibited.

The printing ink in street food newspaper wrapping has lead and hydrocarbons. Aluminum foil and cans have excellent barrier properties for non-corrosive foods and beverages, but should not be used for acidic foods.