Everything You Need to Know About Plastic Cling Film

Plastic cling film is a staple in many kitchens, but have you ever stopped to think about what it's made of and how it works?

Plastic cling film is typically made from a type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

It's incredibly versatile, and can be used for everything from wrapping leftovers to covering bowls and containers.

In fact, it's estimated that over 90% of households in the UK use plastic cling film regularly.

It's also surprisingly thin, with some types of cling film being as thin as 0.01 millimeters.

This thinness allows it to cling to surfaces without leaving a residue, making it a popular choice for food storage and preparation.

A fresh viewpoint: What Is Cling Film Made of

Plastic cling film is a type of flexible plastic wrap used to cover food and other items.

It's made from a type of plastic called polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, which is a common and versatile material.

Plastic cling film is often used to wrap leftovers, cover bowls and containers, and even seal food in the fridge or freezer.

One of the key characteristics of plastic cling film is its ability to stick to itself, not just other surfaces, which makes it easy to use.

This self-sealing property is due to the unique texture of the film, which is created by the manufacturing process.

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Saran Wrap, the precursor to modern plastic cling film, was invented in 1933 by a lab worker at Dow Chemical Company. He discovered the material while trying to clean beakers used for dry cleaning development.

Initially, the manufacturers used this material as a spray adhesive to protect fighter planes from salt-filled sea spray. This application was the first use of the material.

In 1949, Dow Chemical converted the spray adhesive into the clear plastic wrap we know today. This marked a significant turning point in the development of plastic cling film.

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Saran wrap was invented in 1933 by a lab worker at Dow Chemical Company. This was an accidental discovery while cleaning out beakers used for dry cleaning product development.

The initial use of this material was as a spray adhesive to protect fighter planes from salt-filled sea spray. It's surprising how something meant for one purpose ended up being used for another.

In 1949, the manufacturers converted the spray adhesive into the clear plastic wrap we know today.

The Evolution of Plastic Cling Wrap has been a remarkable journey. Originally introduced as a way to preserve food freshness, it quickly gained popularity due to its ease of use and effectiveness.

Advancements in technology have led to improvements in cling wrap's strength, durability, and clinginess. This has made it more versatile for various packaging needs.

Today, plastic cling wrap remains a staple in households and industries worldwide for its excellent convenience and practicality.

To get the perfect seal, lightly dampen the container's rim before applying the plastic wrap. This ensures an airtight seal and prolongs the freshness of your food.

Getting the right seal is crucial for keeping food fresh. I've found that this trick works especially well for storing leftovers in the fridge.

To prevent cross-contamination, use different colors or styles of plastic wrap for various food categories. This is especially important when storing raw meat, poultry, or seafood.

Here are some tips for wrapping different types of food:

Plastic wrap is made from a few simple ingredients, primarily polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Traditionally, PVC was the material of choice, but LDPE is now more popular due to its safer and more environmentally friendly properties.

The manufacturing process for plastic wrap involves extrusion, where plastic granules are melted down into a liquid and then forced through a die to form a stretchy tube. This tube is then blown up with compressed air to create a bubble, which stretches the plastic into the desired thickness.

The bubble is then collapsed between metal rollers to form a plastic film. This film is then rolled onto a large metal roll, which can hold several kilometers of film. From there, the plastic wrap is unwound, cut, and rerolled onto smaller rolls.

The rolling and unrolling of the plastic wrap helps to provide more cling, making it easier to use in the kitchen. The rolls are then packaged into cardboard containers with serrated edges or placed individually for the end-user.

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The most common materials used to make plastic wrap are PVC and LDPE. PVC has a low permeability to water vapor and oxygen, which helps preserve the freshness of food. However, there are concerns about the transfer of plasticizers from PVC into food.

Here are some common materials used to make plastic wrap:

To get the most out of plastic cling wrap, consider lightly dampening the container's rim before applying it for an airtight seal.

This simple trick can help prolong the freshness of your food. I've found it makes a big difference in keeping leftovers fresh for longer.

Using different colors or styles of plastic wrap for various food categories is a great way to avoid cross-contamination and maintain food safety.

This is especially important when storing food for different people or with different dietary restrictions.

For irregularly shaped items, molding the plastic wrap around the object creates a snug and secure fit.

This is perfect for wrapping things like fruit or vegetables that don't have a flat surface.

To protect produce, individually wrapping fruits and vegetables reduces moisture loss and extends their shelf life.

This is especially useful for delicate items like berries or leafy greens.

Here are some additional tips for effective use:

At home, plastic cling wrap is a versatile tool that serves a variety of purposes. It's frequently used to cover and preserve leftover food, sealing in freshness and preventing spoilage.

Cling wrap is also used to wrap sandwiches, snacks, and other perishable items for convenient storage or transportation. This makes it a great option for packing lunches or snacks on-the-go.

Its ability to adhere tightly to surfaces also makes it useful for covering bowls and containers, preventing spills and maintaining cleanliness in the kitchen. I've personally used it to cover a bowl of soup and it worked like a charm!

The evolution of plastic cling wrap, particularly PVC food wrap, has revolutionized food preservation in homes and the food industry.

Plastic cling film is a versatile and widely used kitchen staple. It's available in various thicknesses, with the most common being 12-15 microns thick.

One of the key properties of plastic cling film is its ability to stick to itself, making it easy to cover and seal food and containers. This is due to the unique molecular structure of the film.

Plastic cling film is also waterproof and airtight, which helps to prevent moisture and air from entering or escaping from covered containers. This is especially useful for keeping food fresh and preventing spoilage.

A roll of plastic cling film typically lasts for a few months, depending on usage and storage conditions.

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Saran wrap does not shrink like shrink film when heated.

Applying heat to saran wrap, such as with a heat gun or blow dryer, can result in serious problems.

Some plastic wraps, including saran wrap, can be placed in the microwave for short amounts of time, but this is not a recommended practice.

If you heat saran wrap for too long, it will melt the film, leading to potentially harmful chemicals releasing into the air.

Our recommendation is to avoid making any DIY attempts at converting standard food-grade cling film into shrink wrap.

Intriguing read: Heat Shrink Film

Saran Wrap is not a good insulator, especially when it comes to retaining warmth.

Using two layers of Saran Wrap with a pocket of air in between can slightly improve its insulating properties, but it's still not as effective as other materials.

In the kitchen, plastic cling film is a staple for many of us. It's great for wrapping leftovers to preserve freshness, but did you know that lightly dampening the container's rim before applying the plastic wrap can enhance the cling and create an airtight seal?

81% of chefs and food managers consider PVC cling film essential in their kitchens, highlighting its importance in the catering and hospitality sector. This is because PVC cling film can preserve several kilograms of food with just 1 gram of the material.

To get the most out of plastic cling film, consider using different colors or styles for various food categories to avoid cross-contamination and maintain food safety. This simple trick can make a big difference in keeping your food fresh and safe to eat.

If you're short on lids, you can use plastic cling wrap as a makeshift lid by stretching it over the container's opening. This can be a lifesaver in a pinch, and it's a great way to reuse plastic wrap.

Protecting produce is another great use for plastic cling film. Individually wrapping fruits and vegetables can reduce moisture loss and extend their shelf life. This is especially useful for delicate items like berries or herbs.

Here are some key uses for plastic cling film:

Plastic cling film offers several benefits, making it a convenient choice for consumers. Its suitability for microwave use allows for easy heating or reheating of food without the need for transfer to another container.

The material's excellent freezer safety preserves the freshness and quality of frozen products, offering an extended shelf life. This is especially important for food companies that rely on plastic cling film to package their products.

Plastic cling film also offers an excellent platform for branding, allowing companies to showcase their products attractively.

Plastic Cling Wrap is a convenient choice for consumers, allowing them to easily heat or reheat food in the microwave without transferring it to another container.

Its excellent freezer safety preserves the freshness and quality of frozen products, offering an extended shelf life.

Many plastic Cling Wrap varieties are now available in eco-friendly options, making it a more sustainable choice.

The material's transparency and flexibility also make it an excellent platform for branding, showcasing products attractively and effectively.

The cost-effectiveness of plastic Cling Wrap makes it an economical choice for packaging, enabling food companies to optimize their production and distribution processes without compromising on quality or functionality.

Plastic materials used in the food industry can release undesirable chemicals into food products, causing health concerns.

Edward Machuga, a consumer safety officer at the FDA, confirms that substances used to make plastics can leach into food. The FDA considers the amount of a substance expected to migrate into food and the toxicological concerns about the particular chemical as part of the approval process.

One case that has caught media attention is diethylhexyl adipate (DEHA), a plasticizer that can make plastics flexible. However, the levels of DEHA exposure from consuming food with plastic wraps are much lower than the no toxic effect levels in animal studies.

The public has been misled by claims that plastics contain dioxins, a "likely human carcinogen" labeled by the Environmental Protection Agency. The FDA has found no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins.

Using plastic wrap in food preparation, when done properly, does not pose a danger to human health.

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