Why Food-grade Aluminium Foils Are Better Than Conventional Plastic Wraps?
Plastic wrap and aluminium foils are the most common materials used in household and commercial kitchens across the globe. Both these materials offer excellent barriers to prevent moisture loss, evaporation, and contamination. However, the safety and versatility of food-grade aluminium foils make them the superior choice for food storage. These foils are inert materials that do not react with other chemical components, ensuring the safety of your food items.
Aluminium Foils Vs. Conventional Plastic Wrap
The aluminium foil and plastic wrap applications and material qualities vary significantly. In this article, we compare both of these packaging materials to help you find the best food packaging material.
Physical Characteristics
The aluminium foil sheets are rolled into various thickness gauges. As these sheets are malleable, they can be molded around different food item shapes, making them ideal for storage and packaging. Aluminium foils are strong and lightweight and offer a solid hold on contents without being punctured or crushed. Plastic wraps are flexible materials that can be conformed to any form or object. They can easily wrap irregular bunches or bundles or boxes without wrinkling. However, when it comes to food wrapping, conventional plastic wrap releases chemicals like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates when it comes in contact with food. Food-grade aluminium foils are inert and do not react with salty or acidic food, making them a safer option. Want to switch to aluminium foils and top-quality food-grade cling films? Shree Pragya Techpack is a leading aluminium foil manufacturer in USA with a comprehensive range of food packaging materials. From biodegradable cling films to stretch films, we cater to all your packaging needs.
Thickness
Standard aluminium foil gauges come in thicknesses of 0.0006 to 0.002 inches. Thicker foils have better microwaveability and structural strength, while thinner foils offer superior flexibility. With an average thickness of 0.00025 inches, plastic wrapping sheets can easily adhere to any surface and protect food from external factors. However, foils can be torn or cut into sizes as needed. Its sturdiness and stiffness allow aluminium foils to conform to container shapes ideal for baking. This is not the case with plastic wrap. Precise tearing can be tricky when compared to self-adhesion foils.
Barrier Qualities
The most important property of food packaging is to function as an efficient barrier against external elements. Aluminium foils create a protective barrier against moisture, contaminants, and anti-migration properties that cannot be achieved by ordinary plastic wrap. Foils are a great option for perishable food items such as dairy and baked products that can oxidise from air contact. Plastic wraps are somewhat porous, allowing gases to penetrate at a slow pace; this allows for the exchange of gases, making them suitable for short-term storage.
Tolerance to Heat
Ordinary plastic wraps are not resistant to higher temperatures, as compared to aluminium foils that can withstand high cooking temperatures. The standard aluminium foil grades can tolerate temperatures upto 260 degrees Celsius without physically disintegrating, making them practically safe to use in microwaves, toaster ovens, normal ovens, grills, and stovetops. On the other hand, plastic wrap cannot tolerate temperatures higher than 120 degrees Celsius; this is when it starts melting or releases toxic gases. This is why ordinary plastic wrap should not come in contact with high temperatures or be left in hot ovens unattended.
Wrapping Up
Aluminium foils are not just safer and more versatile than ordinary conventional plastic wraps, they are also more eco-friendly. Their excellent heat resistance and barrier properties make them an economical and reliable packaging material that is also environmentally responsible. If you’re looking to buy top-quality aluminum foils for your food business or restaurants, Pragya Flexifilms Industries, a trusted aluminium foil supplier in India, offering foils at competitive prices across the globe. Make the environmentally responsible choice and switch to aluminum foils for your food storage needs.
