How to Choose Food Containters

A very important aspect to consider when selecting a food container is the container closure system. How well the lid seals the container affects the freshness and shelf life of food. If the container does not seal properly and the air can get in, the food inside will go bad much more quickly than in a container with a good seal.

What kinds of container closure systems are there?

Classic "snap-on" plastic lid

Food containers with this closure system belong among the cheaper ones. The lid of the container is not sealed 100%, so air can get into the container; food then loses its freshness faster and does not last as long. It is also not good to tilt this kind of a container. Liquid foods like soups or sauces can leak out through the space between the lid and the container.

Clip system with a silicone seal

The clip system is much more reliable than the classic snap-on lid and is 100% impermeable. It guarantees a much longer shelf life and safe transportation of the food. The lid is firmly attached to the container, so you do not have to worry that your soup will pour into your backpack or that the smell from the fridge will get into the container (and vice versa).

Pay attention to the sealing of the lid of food containers with a clip system. It can be:

• Tightly compressed - no food remains behind the seal, which prevents the formation of bacteria that could cause the food inside the container to decay. Containers with tight compression seals are more expensive, but also more hygienic and impermeable.
• Inserted - The sealing has gaps around it, which cause the food to stick behind the sealing and allows bacteria formation. Food inside this type of container is more prone to decay and loses its freshness sooner. These containers are cheaper, but they are not suitable for storing food for children.

Vacuum containers

They preserve food by taking out the air from the container, which prolongs the freshness and flavour of the food. Vacuum containers are perfect for coffee, tea, biscuits, as well as for leftovers, salami and cheeses, etc.

In every household, food containers are used differently. Some use them to pack school snacks for children, some to store food in the fridge or freezer, others to bring their lunch to work. Therefore, there are several types of containers on the market that have specific properties and uses:

• Containers designed to store food in a fridge - most of the containers on the market

• Containers designed to freeze food in a freezer - frost-resistant containers marked with a snowflake symbol

• Containers for transporting and storing cold food - so-called TO GO containers, snack boxes with separate compartments and a specific interior layout, such as a salad container with a space for dressing, a yoghurt container with a separate compartment for cornflakes, a sandwich container with a separate vegetable compartment, etc.

• Containers for transporting and storing warm food - e.g. thermo-containers, stackable containers

Special features

• Microwavable containers - when the lid is slightly open, most food containers can be used to heat food in a microwave (always check whether the manufacturer lists the container as suitable for microwaving before you buy it). If you heat food in a microwave more often, it will pay to get a food container with a valve in the lid. You do not have to open this kind of containers before heating. Simply open the valve on the lid. The food heats up to 9 times faster and remains juicy.

• Dishwasher-safe containers - If you have a dishwasher or if you are planning to buy one in future, opt for dishwasher-safe food containers.

• Containers certified for storing children's food - even baby food needs to be stored from time to time, and because a child's body is more sensitive to various kinds of chemicals than an adult, you should choose containers labelled suitable for children or a certificate of quality and free of BPA.

• Stackable containers- Most of the containers and boxes from the same manufacturer are stackable. That is, the containers fit together, so you can place them on top of each other. This will save significant space in your refrigerator, freezer and pantry.