Are disposable food containers safe to use?

Whether it’s takeout or delivery, single-use food containers are indispensable. Yet many consumers remain skeptical about these containers, which are primarily made of plastic: Can they safely hold hot meals and dishes? Experts from the Jiangsu Provincial Institute for Quality Inspection and the National Center for Quality Inspection and Testing of Food Packaging Products have conducted on-site experiments to provide the answer.

Simulated Total Migration Testing for Liquids

Consumers commonly claim that disposable food containers are “toxic,” but a more accurate description would be that they fail to meet standards for overall migration. In this study, testers selected several commonly available types of disposable food containers on the market and conducted food-contact migration tests to address consumer concerns.

The migration test primarily measures the total migration, which refers to the total amount of non-volatile substances determined by immersing food-contact materials in simulated food liquids—such as simulated vinegar, simulated alcohol, or simulated oil—under specified conditions, followed by evaporation of the immersion liquid to dryness.

Colored lunch boxes may fade.

After undergoing a series of test procedures—including soaking, evaporation, drying to constant weight, and weighing—the test materials remained transparent, with some exhibiting white or pinkish residues at the bottom. Inspectors explained that these white or pinkish residues were precipitates leached from the disposable lunch boxes. The results of the food-packaging migration tests indicate that compliant disposable tableware is safer for human health, whereas substandard meal boxes may release substantial amounts of toxic and harmful substances, and colored meal boxes may also bleed color.

It is worth noting that sedimentation does not necessarily indicate that single-use tableware is non-compliant, as the national standard specifies a total migration limit of 10 mg/dm²; any product exceeding this limit is deemed non-compliant.

Consumer Reminder: Prioritize Transparent, Single-Use Food Containers

Based on the results of this inspection, it is recommended that operators and consumers prioritize the use of transparent, colorless disposable tableware.

Many consumers believe that pre-packaged, single-use food containers are too wasteful to use just once—so can they be cleaned and reused? Inspectors advise that it’s best to avoid reusing single-use food containers.

Avoid microwave heating whenever possible.

Can disposable lunch boxes be put directly into the microwave? Inspectors advise that when heating food in the microwave, you must pay close attention to the material of the container. If the container is not labeled as PP (polypropylene) or does not indicate that it is microwave-safe, it’s best to avoid using the microwave.

According to reports, polypropylene has a melting point of 167°C and is the only type of plastic food container—or disposable lunch box—that is safe to use in a microwave. It is labeled with the number “5” on its packaging. However, it is important to note that even if some tableware is marked as polypropylene, consumers should avoid heating it in the microwave unless the manufacturer explicitly states that it is microwave-safe.