Can Biodegradable Bags Come Into Direct Contact With Food?

Whether biodegradable bags can directly come into contact with food depends on multiple factors, including material safety, product standards, degradation conditions, labeling and certification, and usage recommendations.

There are currently several types of biodegradable bags on the market, but only one can completely degrade into water and carbon dioxide, allowing the biodegradable bags to come into direct contact with food.

The material of the degradable bag needs to be food grade to ensure its safety and harmlessness to the human body. Common biodegradable materials include polylactic acid (PLA), calcium carbonate as raw materials, corn starch extract, Poly  butyleneadipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA). These materials can be decomposed by microorganisms in the natural environment and ultimately converted into harmless substances such as water and carbon dioxide.

The HW series developed and produced by Huawei Company is a type of green and environmentally friendly thermoplastic resin. It is made of PBAT as the substrate, modified with starch and calcium carbonate, and produced through melt seeding plasticization extrusion technology. The material does not contain polyolefin plastics and can be degraded under specific conditions such as natural or soil composting, becoming harmless substances such as carbon dioxide and water. We have obtained degradation certifications from domestic, EU (DIN CERTCO, TUV), US (BPI), Australia (ABA) and other countries or regions. Degradable bags need to comply with relevant international standards, such as GB/T 38082-2019 "Biodegradable Plastic Shopping Bags", which specify the technical requirements, test methods, inspection rules, etc. for biodegradable shopping bags.

Even for biodegradable bags, proper usage and handling guidelines should be followed to avoid indiscriminate disposal. Biodegradable bags undergo natural degradation in a degradation environment for 6 months to reduce their impact on the environment. In addition, the disposal and management of biodegradable bags are also key factors affecting their overall safety and environmental impact. Improper disposal, such as mixing biodegradable bags with regular plastic waste, may undermine the expected advantages of these materials.

What are the benefits of biodegradable bags?

1. Environmental protection: Biodegradable bags can decompose into harmless substances and will not cause pollution to the environment.

2. Safety and hygiene: Biodegradable bag materials are safe, free of toxic substances, and harmless to the human body.

3. Multi functional: Biodegradable bags can be used in various occasions, such as home life, catering services, commercial supermarkets, etc.

What should be noted when using biodegradable bags?

1. Avoid excessive dependence: Although biodegradable bags are environmentally friendly and safe, excessive dependence can have an impact on the environment, and it is recommended to reduce their use.

2. Proper handling: After use, garbage should be sorted and disposed of to avoid littering and causing environmental pollution.

3. Storage method: Biodegradable bags should be stored in a cool and dry place, avoiding direct sunlight or high temperature environments.

4. Usage period: Biodegradable bags usually have a short usage period, and attention should be paid to the usage time to avoid food spoilage or other problems caused by expiration.

Biodegradable bags are environmentally friendly and safe plastic bags that can directly hold food. However, it is important to pay attention to the details of use and avoid excessive dependence. It is necessary to choose the right manufacturer. Some qualified manufacturers have certification certificates, allowing biodegradable bags to truly perform their environmental protection functions.