by Beth Terry
Most frozen foods contain some plastic. Of course, the ideal way to reduce plastic waste would be to avoid these “convenience” foods altogether. But that’s not always practical. So, here is an ongoing list of the amounts of plastic hidden inside packages of frozen foods.
Feel free to e-mail me info to add to the list, so I don’t always have to find out the hard way. Click the Frozen Foods link on the sidebar to return here in the future.
Last update: 08/12/2007
Frozen Entrees:
Brand: Amy’s Kitchen
Tray: Cardboard tray with inside plastic coating
Plastic Film: Overwrap surrounds the entire tray
Brand: Helen’s Kitchen
Tray: Cardboard tray with inside plastic coating
Plastic Film: Across the top only.
Brand: Michael Angelo’s Italian Natural Cuisine
Tray: #1 Plastic
Plastic Film: Across the top only
Brand: Organic Bistro
Tray: Cardboard tray with inside plastic coating
Plastic Film: Across the top only
Brand: Safeway’s Eating Right
Tray: #1 Plastic
Plastic Film: Across the top only
Brand: Seeds of Change
Tray: Cardboard tray with inside plastic coating
Plastic Film: Across the top only
Brand: Stouffer’s Lean Cuisine
Tray: #1 Plastic
Plastic Film: Across the top only
Brand: Whole Kitchen (Whole Foods brand of frozen entrees)
Tray: #1 Plastic
Plastic Film: Across the top only
Misc frozen foods
Brand: Gardenburger (veggie burgers)
Plastic-wrapped 2-packs of burgers inside the box
Brand: Helen’s Kitchen (marinated tofu steaks)
Plastic 3 mil bag inside the box
Vegetables:
Brand: Cascadian Farms Organic
The boxed vegetables contain a “microwaveable flavor seal pouch” inside. I assume this means plastic.
Brand: Stahlbush Island Farms
Do not be fooled! The vegetable package looks like an innocent kraft paper bag. In fact, that is how it’s advertised on their web site. But inside, the bag is lined with plastic. I have e-mailed the company to find out what kind of plastic it is. (Bio? Petro?) Will post an update if/when I get an answer.
Brand: Western Family
Wax paper over a cardboard box.
Ice Cream & other frozen desserts
Brand: Ben & Jerry’s (pint)
Plastic seal around the outside of the lid
Brand: Dove (pint)
Plastic seal around the outside of the lid as well as a ring of hard plastic around the lid.
Brand: Haagen Dasz (pint)
Plastic film under lid over ice cream as well as a ring of hard plastic around the lid.
Brand: Mashti Malone’s ice cream & sorbets (pint)
Plastic-free
Brand: So Delicious (dairy-free mini sandwiches)
Individually wrapped in plastic
Brand: Stonyfield Farm (pint)
Plastic film under lid
Brand: Strauss Family Creamery (pint)
Plastic-free
