Use Disposable Cans for Freezing?

Can you freeze berries or other fruit in used yoghurt pots?

Yoghurt pots, margarine cans or other disposable packaging are generally not suitable for further use, for example for freezing.

Using single-use packaging for storage and preparation can be harmful to health as plastic packaging can leach chemicals into the food. Manufacturers of packaging must therefore confirm to the bottler in a declaration of conformity that the statutory provisions are being complied with. However, this only applies to the special purpose.

When re-using greasy or hot food, limit values ​​can still be exceeded. Fat and heat can dissolve substances that cannot be dissolved in the originally packaged product. As a precautionary measure, we also recommend not reusing single-use packaging for freezing food such as fruit, even though it is significantly less likely that chemicals will migrate.

In addition, as a precautionary measure, we advise against the further use of single-use packaging, as these were not manufactured for permanent use and repeated rinsing.

You should therefore not use this packaging again or in any other way than intended by the manufacturer. Glass, porcelain and stainless steel containers, on the other hand, are very suitable for storage. You can freeze food in glass and porcelain or heat it up in the microwave. To prevent a glass from bursting in the freezer, you should make sure to leave about two fingers’ space for the lid when filling it. If containers made of polypropylene (PP) have a corresponding pictogram, for example in the form of a snowflake or an ice crystal, you can also use them to freeze food.