While single-use plastic bags are convenient for quick and easy food storage, reusing them is kinder to the environment — and your wallet. But how many times can a zip lock bag be reused?
According to Ziploc, the answer is “several.”
“Because Ziploc bags are made from high-quality, recyclable materials that are strong enough to be reused, our bags can be reused multiple times,” a brand spokesperson told PEOPLE in a statement.
To clean the bags after they have been used to store food, Ziploc recommends hand washing with soap and then air drying.
However, there are some cases when the bags are best thrown away.
A plastic bag used to store dry food, such as cereal, can be used several times.
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“We do not recommend re-using bags that have contained raw meat, fish, eggs or potentially allergenic foods, etc. as this can become a food safety issue,” the spokesperson said.
And, of course, sticky sauces from some dishes – like red curry wings for example – can be difficult to wash off.
When a stronger bag is needed, the representative noted that the Endurables line of silicone bags and containers can be washed in the dishwasher and used “again and again.” They can also withstand a wider range of temperatures, and can go from freezer to oven.
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Avoid reusing bags that have contained raw meat.
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Ziploc added that its products meet Food and Drug Administration requirements “for use at temperatures associated with defrosting and reheating food in the microwave, oven (for Ziploc Endurables up to 425°F), as well as room temperature, refrigerator and freezer temperatures. ” Ziploc freezer bags are made to withstand temperatures between -20°C to 80°C (-4°F to 176°F).
So while there is no definite limit to how many times you can reuse a plastic bag, it should last longer after storing dry food and other easy-to-clean contents. And if you have something that’s spoiled, too hard to hand wash, or likely to contain harmful bacteria, play it safe and throw it away.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education