Are disposable food containers safe to use?

Whether it’s for delivery or takeaway, disposable food containers are indispensable. However, many consumers remain skeptical about these disposable containers, which are primarily made of plastic: Can hot meals and dishes be safely stored in them? Experts from the Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Quality Inspection and the National Center for Quality Inspection and Testing of Food Packaging Products will reveal the answer through on-site experiments.

Simulated Total Migration Testing of Liquids

Consumers generally describe disposable food containers as “toxic,” though a more precise term would be “unqualified total migration.” In this experiment, testers selected several commonly available disposable food containers from the market and conducted food packaging migration tests to address consumers’ concerns.

The migration test primarily measures the total migration amount, which refers to the total quantity of non-volatile substances obtained by immersing food-contact materials in simulated food liquids—such as simulated vinegar, simulated wine, and simulated oil—under specified conditions, then evaporating the liquid until dry.

Colored lunch boxes may fade.

After undergoing test procedures including soaking, evaporation, drying to constant weight, and weighing, the experimental materials remained transparent, though some showed white or pinkish traces at the bottom. Inspectors explained that these white or pinkish residues were precipitates from disposable lunch boxes. The results of migration tests conducted on food packaging indicate that compliant disposable tableware is safer for human consumption, whereas substandard lunch boxes may contain significant amounts of toxic and harmful substances that have migrated from the packaging. Additionally, colored lunch boxes may also experience color fading.

It’s worth noting that precipitation does not necessarily mean that disposable tableware is substandard, because the national standard specifies a total migration limit of 10 mg/dm²; any product exceeding this limit is considered noncompliant.

Consumer Reminder: Prioritize choosing transparent, single-use food containers.

Based on the results of this test, operators and consumers are advised to choose transparent, colorless disposable tableware whenever possible.

Many consumers feel that using pre-packaged, single-use food containers just once is a waste. So, can they be reused after being cleaned? Inspectors say it’s best to avoid reusing single-use food containers altogether.

Try to avoid microwaving.

Can disposable food containers be put directly into the microwave? Inspectors recommend that if you plan to heat food in the microwave, you must pay close attention to the material of your utensils. If the utensils don't specify "PP (polypropylene)" or don't indicate that they're microwave-safe, it's best not to use them in the microwave.

It is reported that PP has a melting point of 167°C and is the only type of plastic food container—or disposable lunchbox—that can be safely used in a microwave oven. Its outer packaging is marked with the number 5. It’s important to note that even if certain tableware is labeled as polypropylene, consumers are advised not to heat them in the microwave unless the manufacturer explicitly states that they are microwave-safe.