1. Introduction
1.1 Definition of food storage bags
To put it simply, Food Storage Bag is a sealed bag specially used to store all kinds of food, mostly made of food-grade PE, PP and other safety plastics, and its core function is to achieve safe storage of food by sealing and isolating the external environment. Compared with traditional glass jars and ceramic boxes, its biggest feature is that it is lightweight, deformable, and can adapt to different shapes of food and storage space.
1.2 Common use of food storage bags
According to Euromonitor International’s 2024 data, the global household food storage bag usage rate has reached 78%, of which the usage rate of Chinese households is as high as 85%. Whether it is storing leftovers and fresh fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, or carrying snacks for outdoor picnics, or office workers preparing meals for storage, it can be seen. In the catering industry, the dependence of small and medium-sized restaurants on it has also increased year by year, which is used to store semi-finished products, seasonings, etc., which greatly improves the efficiency of meal preparation.
1.3 Purpose of the article: Explore the benefits of using food storage bags
Many people may think that food storage bags are just “bags for things”, but in fact, it is worth much more than that. This article wants to start from everyone’s daily use scenarios and talk about the core benefits of using Food Storage Bags, whether it is a home user or a small catering practitioner, you can find a practical reference from it.
2. Keep food fresh
2.1 Prevents oxidation and bacterial growth
One of the core reasons for food spoilage is oxidation in contact with air, as well as the invasion of microorganisms such as bacteria and mold. High-quality Food Storage Bags have good sealing properties, effectively insulating air and external germs. For example, the cooked meat we often eat will multiply a large number of bacteria after being exposed to room temperature for 2 hours, and after packing it in a food storage bag with good sealing performance, it will be refrigerated in the refrigerator, and the bacterial reproduction rate will be reduced by more than 90%. I had done a small test before, the same piece of bread, naked in the refrigerator and sealed in a food storage bag, the latter was delayed by a full 5 days.
2.2 Extend the shelf life of food
The direct benefit of sealing is to extend the shelf life of food. The following is a comparison of the shelf life of common food food storage bags after storage:
Food type | Normal storage shelf life | Food storage bags are sealed for shelf life |
|---|---|---|
Fresh vegetables (spinach, lettuce, etc.) | 1-2 days | 3-5 days |
Raw meat (pork, beef) | 1-2 days (refrigerated) | 5-7 days (refrigerated) |
Baked goods (cookies, cakes) | 3-5 days | 7-10 days |
2.3 Suitable for the storage of different types of food
Whether it is solid or liquid, fresh or cooked, there is a corresponding Food Storage Bag adaptation. For example, food storage bags with self-supporting bottoms are suitable for holding liquid foods such as soups and sauces, so you don’t have to worry about dumping and leaking; The thickened freezer bag can withstand a low temperature of -20°C, so when storing frozen meat and seafood, it will not become brittle and damaged due to low temperature, and can also prevent freezer burns.
3. Convenience and flexibility
3.1 Multiple sizes and types available
Food storage bags come in a wide range of sizes, ranging from mini (for nuts and candy), to regular (for leftovers, fruits and vegetables), to extra-large (for whole chickens and large pieces of meat). The types are also divided into zipper type, self-sealing type, vacuum type, etc., which can meet different needs. Just like my family, the mini model is used to pack complementary food snacks for children, and the vacuum model is used to store the beef and mutton stocked at home, which is particularly worry-free.
3.2 Suitable for different storage needs
Whether it’s refrigerator, freezing, kitchen countertop storage, microwave heating (special microwaveable model), the Food Storage Bag can do the job. For example, the lunch box made in the morning is packed in a microwaveable food storage bag, and it is directly put into the microwave oven at noon to heat it in the company, without changing the container; The refrigerator space at home is small, and after putting food into a storage bag, it can be stacked flat, saving more than 60% of the space compared to storing it with dishes.
3.3 Easy to carry and use
Food storage bags are lightweight and foldable, so they take up little space in your bag when you go out. For example, if you go on a picnic on the weekend, you can use it for fruits and sandwiches, and you can fold it up and throw it away after eating, without bringing back a pile of heavy containers; Office workers bring breakfast and lunch, and it is lighter than a lunch box, and it can also prevent soup leakage and dirty bags.
4. Environmental protection and economic benefits
4.1 Reusable food storage bags
Nowadays, many food storage bags are reusable, such as silicone and thickened PE styles, as long as they are cleaned and not damaged, they can be used many times over and over again. This greatly reduces the generation of plastic waste compared to single-use plastic bags. According to environmental organizations, a reusable food storage bag can replace an average of 500 single-use plastic bags, making it more environmentally friendly.
4.2 Reduce food waste
Food storage bags reduce food waste by extending the shelf life of food and preventing them from being discarded due to short-term spoilage. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, 1/3 of the world’s food is wasted every year, of which 40% is wasted in family scenarios, and the rational use of food storage bags can reduce the food waste rate of households by about 25%. For example, the strawberries I bought before were not stored properly, and half of them rotted the next day, and then they were sealed in a food storage bag and put in the refrigerator to refrigerate, which could be stored intact for 3 days and would not be wasted.
4.3 Cost-benefit analysis
From the cost point of view, food storage bags are very cost-effective. A pack of 100 conventional food storage bags costs about 10-20 yuan, and the average price is only 0.1-0.2 yuan; Although the unit price of the reusable style is slightly higher (about 20-50 yuan), it can be used for more than half a year, and the cost per day is less than 0.3 yuan. Compared with the cost of repeatedly buying crisper boxes (the average price is 30-50 yuan each, which is also easy to break), or repurchasing due to food spoilage, using food storage bags can save a lot of money.
5. Yigu (purchasing agent) point of view
As a senior sourcing agent, I have come into contact with a large number of Food Storage Bag suppliers. From a procurement perspective, the core of high-quality food storage bags lies in material safety and sealing performance, and it is recommended that you choose products with food-grade certifications (such as FDA, GB 4806 standards). The demand for reusable food storage bags is on the rise in the market, and both home users and catering customers are more inclined to this type of environmentally friendly model. For enterprise procurement, bulk purchase of reusable styles can not only reduce long-term costs, but also meet the current environmental protection trend, which is a better choice. In addition, it is recommended to give preference to products with good sealing performance and thick materials, which are more cost-effective and can better meet storage needs.
6. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: Can the food storage bag be put in the microwave?
Not all of them could. Food storage bags labeled “microwaveable” are specially treated to withstand microwave heating. When heating, it is recommended to open the corner of the bag seal to facilitate ventilation and prevent the bag from expanding and breaking.
Q2: How to clean reusable food storage bags?
You can use water and a small amount of dish soap, brush gently with a soft brush, and focus on cleaning the gaps in the seal to avoid residual food residues breeding bacteria. After cleaning, put it in a ventilated place to dry, do not expose it to the sun, so as not to damage the material and affect the sealing performance.
Q3: Can food storage bags be used to store acidic food? (e.g. vinegar, lemon, etc.)
Yes, but choose the right material. It is recommended to use food storage bags made of PP or silicone, which have better acid resistance and will not release harmful substances due to contact with acidic substances. Avoid using ordinary PE bags to store acidic food for a long time.
Q4: How to judge the sealing performance of food storage bags?
A simple test can be done: fill the bag with a small amount of water, seal it, and squeeze the bag hard to see if there is any water leakage; You can also blow into the bag, seal it and put it in the water to see if there are bubbles coming out, no water leakage, no bubbles, indicating good sealing performance.