Disposable tableware can make your celebrations, parties, picnics, and family meals much easier. Convenience isn't the only consideration while preparing meals for your family. It's important to think about the material your tableware is made of, how it is intended to come into contact with food, and what claims the maker can back up.
Choosing disposable tableware that is safer doesn't have to be complicated. You can make better decisions for your everyday meals and special occasions by knowing what to look for on the packaging and product specifications.
What Makes Disposable Tableware Safer?
Safe disposable tableware should be designed for its intended food contact use. The FDA in the United States controls substances that come into contact with food and assesses their safety for particular intended purposes.
For families, this involves looking beyond the appearance of a bowl or plate. Consider the product's material, intended usage, temperature limitations, and any applicable certifications or claims.
Look for the following when purchasing disposable tableware:
- Suitability of food contact for the intended use
- Clear information about the product
- BPA-free claims when applicable to the product
- Certifications that support compostability or other specific claims
- Products made for the types of food and temperatures you intend to serve
- Clear instructions from the manufacturer
It's also important to keep in mind that a product's claims don't fully tell you about the product. BPA-free disposable plates, for instance, address the presence of BPA, but the term "BPA-free" by itself does not reveal the product's composition or compostability.
5 Things to Look for When Choosing Safer Disposable Tableware
With so many disposable plates, bowls, and utensils available, it can be lot simpler to make a choice if you know what to look for. You can buy tableware that better suits your family's needs by focusing on these five factors.
1. Check What the Tableware Is Made From
Start with the product material. Paper, plastic, plant fibers, and other materials intended for food service can all be used to make disposable dinnerware.
Plant-based materials can be worthwhile if you're searching for an alternative to traditional plastic. For example, sugarcane fiber, a byproduct of the manufacturing of sugar, is used to make bagasse dinnerware.
The performance of the tableware is also influenced by the material. Different performance characteristics are required for a plate used for dry snacks and one meant for a saucy pasta dinner.
Instead of choosing a product solely based on the term "natural," be sure the product is suitable for the food you're serving by consulting the manufacturer's material information.
2. Look for BPA-Free Disposable Plates When Relevant
Bisphenol A, or BPA, is a chemical found in some products that come into contact with food. Based on recognized uses and available scientific data, the FDA continues to assess the safety of BPA.
Look for a clear BPA-free statement on the product if you're specifically searching for disposable plates that are free of BPA.
3. Consider Compostable Tableware
Compostable tableware is an additional option to consider if your family also values reducing plastic waste.
Cutlery, bowls, cups, and plates that are compostable are made to decompose under particular composting circumstances. Compostable food-service products frequently use plant-based ingredients like PLA and sugarcane fiber.
4. Choose Tableware Based on the Food You're Serving
Not all meals are a good fit for a well-made disposable plate. Prior to making a purchase, consider what you're serving.
For example:
- Soups and saucy foods: Choose sturdy bowls designed to withstand liquids.
- Grilled or heavy foods: Look for plates that are strong enough to support heavier items.
- Hot meals: Check that the product is designed for the temperature and type of food you're serving.
- Desserts and snacks: Lightweight plates may be perfectly adequate.
- Family gatherings: Consider larger plates and bowls that can handle different types of food.
Choosing the family safe tableware for the meal helps avoid spills, bending, leaks, and needless waste.
5. Look for Clear Certifications and Product Information
A reliable product should be really easy to understand what you're buying.
Look for details regarding:
- Composition of materials
- intended usage of food contact
- Temperature suitability
- Compostability
- Relevant certificates from third parties
The USDA Certified Biobased Product label can be another useful certification you should look for plant based products. The biobased content fo products is verified by USDA Biopreferred program that help consumer to identify product which is made with renewable materials.
For example, EcoSoul offers products with the USDA Certified Biobased certification, which is an independently verified indication of their biobased content.
It is important to know what each certification genuinely verifies. It should not be interpreted as a general certification indicating a product is "non-toxic" or inherently safer in every way; rather, a USDA Certified Biobased label refers to the quantity of renewable biobased material in a family safe tableware.
Make a More Informed Choice for Your Family
Choosing a product with a perfect label is not the only way to choose safe disposable tableware. It's important to consider the whole picture.
Check the material of the products. Know the intended application of the product. Look for clear specification and relevant certifications. Understand how to dispose of compostable products if you're choosing them.
Plant-based compostable tableware can be an option for families seeking a convenient alternative for traditional disposable plastic tableware. With the correct knowledge, you can choose disposable plates, bowls and silverware that simplify family meals and better fit your household's priorities.