Plastic food containers are ubiquitous in modern kitchens and food supply chains. Understanding the materials these containers are made of—along with their properties, suitability for food contact, and manufacturing considerations—is essential for making informed choices.
Food-contact plastics must meet regulatory requirements for safety and performance. The table below summarizes the major resin types found in plastic food containers, their typical uses, and key properties:
| Resin Name | Resin Identification Code | Typical Uses in Food Containers | Key Properties |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE) | #1 | Clear rigid containers for salads, dressings, water bottles, take-out trays | Clear, lightweight, good strength and barrier properties. |
| High-density polyethylene (HDPE) | #2 | Jugs, opaque food storage containers, bulk food packaging | Good chemical resistance, relatively strong, food-safe. |
| Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) | #4 | Flexible food sacks, bags, lightweight containers | Flexible, less rigid than HDPE, food contact approved within limits. |
| Polypropylene (PP) | #5 | Microwaveable food tubs, yogurt containers, reusable storage boxes | Excellent heat-resistance among commodity plastics, good durability. |
| Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) | #3 | Less commonly used for rigid food containers, more for film and wrap | Good clarity and barrier, but safety concerns limit use in food contact. |
| Polystyrene (PS) | #6 | Foam or rigid take-out trays, disposable containers | Lightweight, inexpensive, but weaker heat resistance and recycling value. |
| Other plastics (including polycarbonate, bioplastics) | #7 | Specialized containers, composite packaging, newer materials | Varied chemistry; some have specific uses or restrictions. |
Every plastic resin offers a trade-off among cost, formability, transparency, barrier to moisture/oxygen, heat-resistance, and regulatory acceptability. For example:
PET offers excellent clarity and is highly recyclable, making it a popular choice for beverage bottles and food packaging.
PP is chosen for many reusable storage or microwaveable containers because it withstands higher temperatures without deforming.
HDPE and LDPE provide good chemical resistance and are widely used for less demanding storage tasks.
Materials like PVC and PS, while still in use, are less favored for new food-container applications due to evolving safety and environmental concerns.
Emerging materials such as bioplastics (e.g., PLA) are gaining interest for certain applications though they may have limitations in heat resistance or recycling.
When a container is designated “food-grade,” it means the resin and any additives meet regulatory standards for food contact; this includes limits on harmful chemical leaching or migration. For example, in the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recognises HDPE, LDPE, PP and PET among the common safe options. Consumers often look at the recycling code numbers on containers (1–7) to assess suitability. The codes #2, #4, and #5 are widely considered among the safer for direct food storage and re-use, while codes #3, #6 and #7 warrant more caution especially when heat or acidic foods are involved. Manufacturers producing food containers must ensure purity of resin, absence of banned additives, proper processing to avoid degradation, and conformity with migration limits.
The way a container is made affects the final performance:
Injection-moulding is common for rigid storage boxes, lids, and containers with fine detail.
Thermoforming is used for trays, clamshells and take-out containers: a sheet of resin is heated and formed into shape.
Blow-moulding is used for bottles and hollow containers.
Materials like PET may also be stretched (biaxially oriented) to improve strength and clarity. Good manufacturing ensures minimal residual stresses, absence of voids, proper sealing surfaces, and consistent thickness to maintain barrier and durability performance. Containers must resist impacts, temperature changes, chemical exposure, and meet usability demands (stacking, transportation, display).
plastic containers bring tremendous convenience and cost-effectiveness, but their environmental footprint is a concern. Many plastic food-containers are single-use, contributing to waste. According to one source, packaging plastic represents a large portion of plastic‐waste generation. Recycling depends on resin type, collection infrastructure, and local practices. Clear PET (#1) and HDPE (#2) are among the most widely recycled. Containers made from mixed resins or composite materials may be harder to recycle. Bioplastic options such as PLA offer lower-carbon or renewable input alternatives, but may not be fully compostable under all conditions and may pose logistical challenges. Manufacturers that emphasise sustainability increasingly choose mono-material containers, reduce resin thickness, use post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, and design for recyclability.
When choosing plastic food containers for storage, transport, or retail packaging, consider these factors:
Material code and resin type – Prefer resins with proven food-safety track records (e.g., PP, HDPE, PET) and avoid less favoured ones like PS for hot foods.
Heat tolerance – If containers will be used for hot-fill, microwave, or dishwash, select materials known to hold up (e.g., PP).
Barrier performance – For items sensitive to moisture or oxygen (such as sauces, dressings, ready meals), choose resins or multi-layer constructions that provide sufficient barrier.
Transparency or aesthetic – Clear resins like PET offer visual appeal for retail-display, whereas opaque HDPE or coloured PP may suit bulk or storage use.
End-use lifecycle – Single-use vs reusable effect on cost, sustainability, user behaviour; and whether the container is part of a recycling loop.
Supplier quality and certification – Working with a container supplier that adheres to food-contact regulations, conducts migration testing, and ensures material traceability is vital for commercial packaging.
When selecting a supplier for disposable or reusable plastic food containers, it is helpful to partner with a company that specialises in food‐grade manufacturing, quality assurance and timely delivery. For example, a partner such as Taishan Lvhui Environmental Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. (brand LVHUI) is located in Guangdong Province, China, and is dedicated to manufacturing disposable food containers and lunch boxes for both domestic and international markets. According to their corporate information, they focus on food-contact-approved materials, rigorous testing and on-time delivery. (LVHUI) Working with such manufacturers can simplify sourcing, ensure compliance and support customisation for your target market.
Plastic food containers serve a wide variety of applications thanks to a range of resin types each tailored for performance, cost and manufacturability. Resins such as PET, PP, HDPE and LDPE dominate due to their favourable food-contact properties, while others like PVC or PS are less preferred for demanding applications. Choosing the right material involves consideration of safety, temperature resistance, barrier functions, recyclability and end-use scenario. For businesses sourcing packaging solutions, partnering with an experienced and certified supplier helps ensure reliable performance and compliance. With informed material selection, plastic food containers can continue to offer effective, safe and economical packaging for the food industry.
