Fried food is one of the most popular foods nowadays. Fried food also needs to be packaged so that it can be better stored and convenient to be carried. However, since fried food is greasy and hot, the main function of the packaging materials needs to be considered. So how to use suitable packaging to package fried food? How can we choose the packaging for fried food?
The commonly used packaging materials for fried food are as follows:
Paper bags
Features:
Environmental protection: Paper materials are recyclable and relatively friendly to the environment.
Good air permeability: It allows fried food to emit some water vapor and reduce the situation where food becomes soft due to water vapor accumulation.
Low cost: The price is relatively cheap and suitable for large-scale use.
Applicable scenarios:
French fries, fried chicken and others in fast food restaurants are often packaged in paper bags, which are convenient for consumers.
Plastic packaging bags
Material classification and characteristics:
• Polyethylene (PE) bags: have good flexibility and moisture resistance, which can effectively protect fried foods from moisture. At the same time, PE bags have high transparency, allowing consumers to clearly see the food in the package.
• Polypropylene (PP) bags: Good high temperature resistance, suitable for packaging fried foods just out of the pan. PP bags are strong and not easy to break.
Applicable scenarios:
Fried snacks sold in supermarkets are usually packaged in plastic packaging bags, which have good sealing and can extend the shelf life of food.
Aluminum foil bags
Features:
• Strong barrier properties: can effectively block light, oxygen and water vapor, prevent fried foods from oxidation and deterioration, and maintain the taste and flavor of food.
High temperature resistance: can withstand higher temperatures, suitable for packaging hot fried foods.
• Good aroma retention: can better retain the aroma of fried foods.
Applicable scenarios:
Some high-end fried foods or fried foods that need to be stored for a long time will be packaged in aluminum foil bags, such as high-end nuts and roasted seeds and nuts.
When choosing packaging materials for fried foods, pay attention to the following points:
Safety
1. Choose packaging materials that meet food hygiene standards. For example, food-grade plastic packaging bags, paper packaging, etc., ensure that the packaging materials will not release harmful substances during contact with fried foods.
First of all, fried foods should not be put into paper bags immediately after they are out of the pan, because the high temperature may exceed the tolerance of oil-proof paper bags, causing the paper bags to be damaged or deformed. In addition, although the printing ink on the oil-proof paper bags will not directly contact the food, the safety of the printing ink still needs to be paid attention to. Paper bags using qualified ink should be selected to avoid the ink containing harmful substances such as heavy metals.
For plastic bags, the following points should be noted when choosing:
Check whether the plastic bag has impurities, such as black spots or holes, which may be caused by the use of waste plastic as raw materials.
Smell whether the plastic bag has any odor, and qualified plastic bags should be odorless.
Qualified plastic bags should have a certain strength, not easy to break, and make a crisp sound when shaken.
Put the plastic bag in water, non-toxic plastic bags will float on the water surface, while toxic plastic bags will sink to the bottom of the water.
Plastic bags with smooth touch are usually non-toxic, while those may be toxic with mixed colors, sticky touch and astringent.
In addition, when choosing plastic packaging bags for food, you should pay attention to the following points:
The packaging should have Chinese labels, including the factory name, factory address, product name, and the words "only for food".
Plastic packaging bags should be odorless, and don’t use plastic packaging bags of special colors, as these may be made of recycled plastics.
Preferably choose materials without coating or plating, as these materials may be toxic and harmful to the environment and human health.
Avoid using packaging made of recycled materials, as they may pose a risk of contamination.
Choose according to food characteristics
1. For crispy fried foods, you can choose packaging materials with a certain stiffness to prevent the food from being crushed during transportation and storage, such as thicker kraft paper packaging bags or hard plastic boxes.
2. If the fried food contains more oil, you should choose packaging with a certain oil-proof performance, such as coated paper or plastic packaging with oil-proof coating.
Packaging methods
1. Sealed packaging: Use packaging materials with good sealing performance, such as plastic bags or sealed cans with sealing strips, to prevent air from entering, extend the shelf life of fried foods, and prevent foods from getting damp and softening.
2. Layered packaging: For some larger or irregularly shaped fried foods, consider using layered packaging, such as placing oil-absorbing paper or food-grade paper pads around the food and then placing it in the packaging container to absorb excess oil.
Pay attention to storage conditions
1. Packaged fried foods should be stored in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and high temperature environments to prevent food deterioration and damage to packaging materials.
2. Store according to the storage instructions on the package. For example, some packages may require refrigerated storage, which should be strictly followed to ensure food safety and quality.