Which bag for which food?
For coffee, tea and spices, aroma-tight stand-up or block bottom bags are the right choice; for baked goods, flat or cross bottom bags made of OPP; for confectionery, cone bags and flat bags; for vacuum packing, PA/PE sealed edge bags. What matters is that the specific item is marked as food-safe.
As of: 18.10.2026 · Reviewed by: Editorial team Elke Plastic GmbH · Information provided without guarantee.
Choosing by food
| Food | Suitable bag type | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Coffee Bags, Stand-Up Pouches for Coffee | aroma-tight, light-proof, with a valve for fresh coffee |
| Tea | Stand-Up Pouches for Tea, Block Bottom Bags for Tea | aroma protection, resealable |
| Spices and herbs | Stand-Up Pouches for Spices, Block Bottom Bags for Spices | odour-neutral, resealable |
| Bread, rolls, pastries | Food-Grade Flat Bags, Cross Bottom Bags Food-Grade | clear, grease-resistant OPP; do not close the bag airtight |
| Sweets and confectionery | Cone Bags for Confectionery, Transparent Flat Bags | clear for an attractive look |
| Nuts, dried fruit, muesli | Stand-Up Pouches for Food | resealable with a zip |
| Meat, cheese, fish for vacuum packing and cooking | Food-Grade Sealed Edge Bags | PA/PE, up to +85 °C according to the data sheet |
How to recognise food-safe bags
- The note “for food contact” or the glass and fork symbol on the packaging or product page.
- Details of the material and food conformity in the data sheet.
- The manufacturer’s declaration of conformity for the specific item.
More on this: Food-safe: glass and fork symbol and evidence.
Materials in brief
- LDPE: flexible, seals well, used for zip bags and tubular film. More: LDPE, HDPE or PP.
- OPP: clear, glossy, used for baked goods and confectionery.
- Aluminium laminate: the best protection against light, oxygen and aroma loss.
- Kraft paper: natural look, often with an inner film or a window.
Frequently asked questions
Which bag is suitable for food?
Bags that are expressly marked as food-safe. Which bag type is right depends on the food: aroma-tight stand-up pouches for coffee and tea, flat bags for baked goods, sealed edge bags for vacuum packing.
Are all PE bags food-safe?
No. The material PE is generally suitable, but what matters is the specific item and its evidence. Simple bags without such a statement have not been tested for this.
Which bag keeps coffee fresh?
An aroma-tight, light-proof bag with an aroma valve, for example made of aluminium laminate. More on this: Coffee bag valve.
Can I pack bread in plastic bags?
Yes, in food-safe bags, for example made of OPP. Do not close bread airtight, so that no moisture builds up.