Plastic Or Glass: Which Food Storage Container Is Best? (2024)

FAQs

Plastic Or Glass: Which Food Storage Container Is Best? ›

Glass is non-porous and doesn't release any harmful chemicals into your food. So, by switching to glass, you are adding a layer of safety to your and your family's meals and not worrying about potential health hazards associated with plastic containers.

Glass is non-porous and doesn't release any harmful chemicals into your food. So, by switching to glass, you are adding a layer of safety to your and your family's meals and not worrying about potential health hazards associated with plastic containers.

✔️ Material: Glass and plastic are the most common food storage materials. Glass can often be used in the oven, while plastic cannot. Plastic containers are also prone to staining when storing highly pigmented foods; glass is not.

Stainless steel is inert and thus will not react with any food material. It is also durable and long lasting. It can be molded into containers of varying sizes and designs thus making it easy to find a container that matches your kitchen aesthetic.

The decision to freeze food in glass or plastic containers is primarily up to personal preference. As long as the containers are marked as freezer-safe (like tempered glass), both materials are safe for storing in the freezer. Using glass is more environmentally friendly since plastic is not as sustainable or durable.

Glass, stainless steel, silicone, and ceramic containers are the safest for food storage. They have the most heat resistance and do not leak toxins into your food. Glass is microwave-safe, toxin-free, and dishwasher-safe. Stainless steel is also toxin-free, dishwasher-safe, and oven-safe.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: GLASS

Even when you choose BPA-free plastic, toxic, endocrine-disrupting chemicals may migrate into your food during microwaving.

containers manufactured especially to hold food, like Ziploc bags or Tupperware containers. Do not use non-food grade containers like plastic or paper shopping bags or plastic trash bags to store food. Chemicals or dyes from these bags can leach into the food and contaminate it.

Food products must be stored in food-grade containers at all times. Trash bags and empty chemical containers are not acceptable for food storage.

Does food last longer in glass or plastic? ›

Glass is a good choice for long-term food storage, as it is airtight and will not interact with the food. Plastic is not a good choice for long-term food storage, as it is not airtight and can interact with the food.

Safe plastic numbers include 2, 4, and 5. These containers can store food without any toxic chemical infiltration and include the HDPE, LDPE, and PP materials. Containers with the number 7 are made of polycarbonate (the category that includes BPA), so should not be used with food.

All plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach into your food when they're heated. Before reheating food in a microwave, transfer it from a plastic container to a plate or glass dish.

Regardless of where you store your rice, make sure the vessel you keep it in is clean and dry to stave off pests or moisture. Food-safe plastic containers and glass containers are both good options, as are heavy-duty freezer bags. For longer-term storage, consider investing in food-grade buckets.

Rigid containers and flexible bags or wrapping are two general types of packaging materials that are safe for freezing. Rigid containers made of plastic or glass are suitable for all packs and are especially good for liquid packs. Straight sides on rigid containers make the frozen food much easier to remove.

It may seem surprising, but Brock's study found that plastic bottles are less environmentally damaging than glass bottles. Although plastic cannot be endlessly recycled, the manufacturing process is less energy-intensive, as there is a lower melting point for plastics compared with glass.

Regardless of whether a plastic food container contains phthalates or BPA, it may not be entirely safe. Plastics break down over time, which means they can potentially release trace amounts of whatever chemicals they are made of into the food.

Some of the benefits of glass packaging include:

There are no interactions with glass packaging and the final product. This makes it perfect for sensitive products. This helps to ensure that the final product inside the glass container keeps its efficacy, taste, aroma, and flavor longer.

I was accustomed to storing herbs, fruit, and vegetables in plastic containers or bags from the store. These containers often let in air and bacteria, starting the decomposition process. Using an airtight lid with glass jars minimizes this.