Nowadays they can surprise us with the presentation of a dish in almost any type of container, but beware of replicating the idea! and use one of the slate tiles that we left over from the bathroom renovation to present a cheese board as in "that restaurant", or repeatedly save and reuse those one-one containers that came with "that food".

As a general rule, it is not advisable to use a food container for a different use for which it was designed, especially if we do not know the suitability of the container to contain food. The reason for this is that, before going on the market, food packaging must pass a series of tests to ensure that they are safe for consumers, among which are those necessary to determine the amount of substances in the packaging itself. they can be given to the food. It is what is called migration.

For the quantification of this migration, which can be specific (for specific substances) or global (which is the sum of substances released from a material to the food), a series of simulants are used that are defined, in each case, according to the characteristics of the container itself and of the food that the container will contain. For this reason, and although it is foreseeably not necessary to have problems, if a food container is used for a different use for which it was conceived or if it is given an unspecified use, it will be given a use for which the container has not been tested and therefore, there will be no previous data that violate the safety of the container for that use.

How can we know then if a container is suitable for food use and how can we use it safely?

All containers and objects for food use, must comply with the provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 1935/2004 on materials and objects intended to come into contact with food, in addition to specific regulations depending on the type of material in question , according to annex I of this regulation, as it may be the case of plastic, glass, ceramic or silicone containers among others.

According to this regulation, all the materials and objects destined to be in contact with food, except those objects that due to their characteristics are clearly destined to come into contact with food, when they are marketed, will indicate in a language easily understood by the buyers, that these They are apt to be in contact with food. This indication can be made by terms such as "for contact with food" with indications on its use, or with the symbol of the cup and fork illustrated in this article. In addition, the containers will carry indications on the manufacturer, processor or vendor as well as an adequate identification that allows the traceability of the material.

On the other hand, if necessary, the materials and objects intended to contain food, will be accompanied by instructions that must be followed for proper and safe use. This will include, for example, if the container can be used in the microwave, if there is a maximum temperature at which the contained food can be, if it can be washed in the dishwasher ... etc. And these indications, if they are necessary for a safe use of the container, will be clearly indicated.

So, to use an utensil or container safely within a reasonable use, we should only consider two things: look if the package is suitable for food, either by specific mention or because the container shows the symbol that It illustrates this article and, in addition, we must use it following the indications that appear on its label, or on the packaging itself. Taking these two considerations into account, we can rest assured that the packaging is safe, despite how much they may have told us about certain materials.

REGARDS