Food Grade Plastic Bags for Restaurants, Butchers & Food Businesses

Food Grade Plastic Bags for Commercial Food Businesses

Restaurants, butcher shops, cafés, caterers and other food businesses use plastic bags every day for food preparation, storage, portioning and general kitchen organisation. Because these bags may be used around food, choosing the right type of packaging is especially important.

Businesses searching for food grade plastic bags generally need packaging that is suitable for its intended food application, whether that involves storing ingredients, separating portions, lining food preparation trays or wrapping suitable food products.

However, not every plastic bag is designed for direct food contact. Businesses should always check the product specification, intended application and supplier information before using packaging directly with food.

MRA Packaging supplies a range of commercial packaging products for Australian food businesses, including freezer bags, clear tray liner bags and meat film wrap, alongside carry bags, roll bags, garbage bags and other packaging essentials.

What Are Food Grade Plastic Bags?

The term food grade plastic bag generally refers to plastic packaging that is manufactured and intended for suitable food contact applications. The exact requirements can vary depending on the material, product, type of food and intended use.

For a commercial kitchen, this distinction matters because a general-purpose plastic bag should not automatically be assumed to be appropriate for direct contact with food.

When purchasing food packaging, businesses should look for clear information about the product's intended application and, where direct food contact is required, confirm that the packaging is suitable for that specific purpose.

This is particularly relevant for businesses handling raw meat, prepared ingredients, fresh produce and other food products that may remain in contact with packaging during storage or preparation.

Who Uses Food Packaging Bags?

Plastic food packaging is used across a wide range of commercial environments. Different businesses often require different types and sizes of bags depending on the products they handle.

Common users include:

• Restaurants and commercial kitchens
• Butcher shops and meat businesses
• Cafés and bakeries
• Takeaway restaurants
• Catering businesses
• Supermarkets and grocery stores
• Fruit and vegetable shops
• Food preparation businesses
• Food delivery operations
• Hospitality businesses

For many of these businesses, plastic bags are only one part of a larger packaging system. A butcher, for example, may require freezer bags, meat film and tray liners, while a restaurant may also use carry bags, garbage bags and other consumables.

Freezer Bags for Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens

Freezer bags are commonly used by restaurants, cafés, caterers and commercial kitchens to organise suitable ingredients and food products during storage.

They can be useful when staff need to separate portions, organise prepared ingredients or maintain a more structured freezer and cold-storage system.

Choosing the correct freezer bag size is important. A bag that is too small may not accommodate the product properly, while using an unnecessarily large bag for a small portion can be inefficient.

MRA Packaging currently supplies freezer bags in several commercial sizes, including:

• 200×250mm
• 250×300mm
• 300×380mm

These products are supplied in bulk carton quantities for businesses that regularly require freezer bags as part of their food storage and preparation operations. MRA currently lists the 200×250mm option at 6,400 bags per carton, the 250×300mm option at 5,160 bags per carton, and the 300×380mm option at 2,800 bags per carton.

For a more detailed comparison, read our Freezer Bags: A Complete Guide for Food Businesses in Australia.

Plastic Bags for Butcher Shops and Meat Businesses

Butcher shops and meat businesses have particularly demanding packaging requirements because different products may need to be portioned, stored, wrapped or prepared throughout the working day.

Depending on the application, a butcher may use freezer bags for appropriate storage and organisation, tray liner bags around preparation areas and meat film wrap for suitable wrapping applications.

Having several packaging formats available can make it easier for staff to select the right product for each task rather than relying on one type of plastic bag for everything.

For high-volume butcher shops, bulk quantities can also help reduce the frequency of reordering and ensure replacement stock is available during busy trading periods.

Freezer Bags for Portioning and Storage

Freezer bags can be useful when a butcher or meat business needs to separate appropriate products into manageable quantities before storage.

Different bag sizes give businesses more flexibility. Smaller sizes may be appropriate for compact portions, while larger bags can accommodate larger quantities where appropriate.

Businesses should always use each bag according to its intended application and confirm suitability where direct contact with food is required.

Meat Film Wrap for Commercial Food Preparation

Plastic bags are not always the best option for every meat packaging task. Commercial meat businesses may also require meat film wrap for suitable food wrapping and preparation applications.

MRA Packaging currently supplies clear meat film wrap in 45cm and 50cm widths. Both options are listed at 840 metres per roll with a 15 micron thickness and two rolls per carton.

This makes meat film a complementary product for butchers, supermarkets, restaurants and commercial kitchens that regularly perform food wrapping tasks.

Tray Liner Bags for Commercial Food Preparation

Tray liner bags can provide another useful option in commercial food preparation environments. Instead of being used as a standard carry or storage bag, liners are designed to line suitable trays, containers or other preparation areas.

This type of packaging may be useful for restaurants, butcher shops, caterers, supermarkets and commercial kitchens that regularly work with trays or containers during food preparation.

MRA Packaging currently supplies 660×660mm clear tray liner bags with a 17 micron thickness. They are supplied in cartons of 500 pieces, with 10 packs per carton.

For businesses with frequent food preparation requirements, purchasing liners by the carton can help ensure replacement stock remains readily available.

Food Packaging Bags for Restaurants

Restaurants can use several different types of plastic packaging throughout the same working day.

Freezer bags may be used for suitable ingredient storage and organisation, liners may support preparation activities, and carry bags can help pack completed takeaway orders for customers.

A restaurant that also offers delivery may require even more packaging supplies, particularly during lunch and dinner periods when multiple takeaway orders are being prepared at the same time.

Rather than viewing plastic bags as a single product category, commercial kitchens should consider how each packaging product fits into the overall workflow from ingredient preparation through storage and customer service.

Food Packaging for Catering Businesses

Catering businesses can have particularly variable packaging requirements because the volume of food being prepared may change significantly between events.

A small corporate lunch and a large catered function can require very different quantities of ingredients and packaging.

Keeping commonly used bags and wrapping materials available in commercial quantities can help caterers prepare for different event sizes without purchasing packaging for each individual job.

Bulk packaging can also simplify inventory planning when the same freezer bags, liners and wrapping products are used across multiple events.

Food Packaging Bags for Supermarkets and Grocery Stores

Supermarkets and grocery stores handle many categories of food within one location, making packaging requirements more varied than in some other businesses.

Behind the scenes, freezer bags or liner bags may be used for suitable commercial applications. On the shop floor, supermarkets may also use roll bags around fresh produce sections and carry bags for customer purchases.

MRA Packaging supplies roll bags, freezer bags, carry bags and liner bags alongside other commercial packaging products, allowing grocery businesses to source multiple everyday consumables from one supplier.

How to Choose Plastic Bags for Food Use

When selecting plastic bags for food businesses, price and size are important, but they should not be the only considerations.

1. Confirm the Intended Application

Start by determining exactly how the bag will be used.

A bag required for direct food contact should be evaluated differently from a carry bag used only to transport packaged takeaway containers.

Similarly, freezer storage, tray lining and customer carry applications may require different packaging products.

2. Check Food-Contact Suitability

Do not assume that every transparent or clear plastic bag is automatically food grade.

If packaging will come into direct contact with food, check the manufacturer's or supplier's product information and confirm that the product is suitable for the intended food-contact application.

3. Choose the Right Size

Using the correct size can make packaging more practical and efficient.

A commercial kitchen that prepares several portion sizes may benefit from keeping multiple freezer bag sizes available instead of trying to use one size for every task.

4. Consider Storage Conditions

Think about whether the packaging will be used at room temperature, in refrigerated storage or in a freezer.

The storage environment can affect which packaging option is appropriate.

5. Estimate Your Business Usage

Restaurants, butchers and caterers can use large quantities of bags over time. Monitoring weekly or monthly consumption can help businesses decide how many cartons should be kept in stock.

6. Check Your Other Packaging Requirements

A food business rarely needs only one packaging product.

Combining freezer bags, liners, wrapping products, carry bags and other consumables in regular purchasing can simplify stock planning and help reduce the number of separate orders required.

Food Grade vs General-Purpose Plastic Bags

One important distinction for food businesses is the difference between packaging intended for suitable food contact and general-purpose plastic bags.

General-purpose bags can be appropriate for applications such as carrying packaged goods, waste handling or other non-food-contact tasks. They should not automatically be used for direct food contact simply because they are made from plastic.

Food businesses should select each product based on its intended application and available product specifications.

This also means that a business may require both food-contact packaging and general commercial bags within the same operation.

For example, a restaurant may use appropriate freezer bags around ingredients while using heavy-duty garbage bags for waste and carry bags for transporting already-packaged customer orders.

Why Buy Food Packaging Bags in Bulk?

Restaurants, butcher shops and commercial kitchens often consume packaging continuously rather than occasionally.

Buying appropriate products in bulk or carton quantities can therefore provide several operational benefits.

• Less frequent reordering
• More predictable packaging inventory
• Reserve stock for busy periods
• Easier purchasing for high-volume operations
• Ability to consolidate several packaging products into one order

The ideal quantity depends on how quickly a business consumes each product and how much storage space is available.

Keep Multiple Food Packaging Sizes Available

One packaging size is rarely ideal for every product.

A restaurant may need smaller bags for individual portions and larger bags for bulk ingredients. A butcher may handle products of different dimensions throughout the day, while a catering business may have requirements that vary from one event to another.

Keeping several sizes available gives staff more flexibility and can reduce the need to use an oversized bag for a relatively small product.

MRA Packaging's freezer bag range is one example, with multiple sizes available for different commercial storage requirements.

Buying Food Packaging from a Wholesale Supplier

When choosing a supplier for food packaging bags, commercial buyers should consider more than the price of an individual carton.

Useful factors include:

• Range of available packaging products
• Available sizes and carton quantities
• Suitability for the intended application
• Availability of complementary packaging
• Delivery options
• Ease of repeat ordering

Working with a supplier that stocks several packaging categories can make it easier for restaurants, butchers and other food businesses to consolidate their regular purchases.

Food Packaging Supplies from MRA Packaging

MRA Packaging supplies bulk commercial packaging to restaurants, cafés, takeaway shops, catering businesses, supermarkets, grocery stores, butcher shops and other businesses across Australia.

Its current product range includes freezer bags, tray liner bags, meat film wrap, roll bags, carry bags, garbage bags and other commercial consumables. The business is Sydney-based and offers Australia-wide delivery, with free Sydney Metro delivery on eligible orders over $250.

This means food businesses can purchase multiple packaging essentials as part of the same regular ordering process.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a food grade plastic bag?

A food grade plastic bag generally refers to packaging manufactured and intended for suitable food-contact applications. Businesses should confirm the product specifications and intended use before placing any plastic packaging in direct contact with food.

Are all plastic bags safe for direct food contact?

No. Businesses should not assume that every plastic bag is suitable for direct food contact. General-purpose carry bags, garbage bags and other commercial bags can have completely different intended applications.

What plastic bags are useful for restaurants?

Restaurants may use different packaging products depending on their operation. Freezer bags can support suitable food storage and organisation, tray liners can be useful around preparation areas, and carry bags can be used for packaged takeaway orders.

What packaging do butcher shops commonly use?

Depending on the business and application, butcher shops may use freezer bags, clear tray liner bags and meat film wrap alongside carry bags, garbage bags and other commercial consumables.

What freezer bag sizes does MRA Packaging sell?

MRA Packaging currently lists freezer bags in 200×250mm, 250×300mm and 300×380mm sizes, supplied in bulk carton quantities.

Can food businesses buy packaging in bulk?

Yes. Bulk or carton quantities can be particularly practical for restaurants, butcher shops, commercial kitchens, caterers and other businesses that use packaging frequently.

Does MRA Packaging deliver outside Sydney?

Yes. MRA Packaging states that delivery is available across Australia. Eligible orders over $250 can also receive free delivery within the Sydney Metro area.

Where can I buy commercial food packaging bags?

MRA Packaging supplies a range of commercial packaging products online for restaurants, cafés, butcher shops, caterers, supermarkets and other Australian businesses.