Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-12-10 Origin: Site
A plastic food tray has become one of the most widely used tools in today’s food industry, hospitality sector, and even household kitchens. With the rise of safe, hygienic, and efficient food packaging, the demand for durable, customizable plastic food trays continues to grow. But what is a plastic food tray, what is the purpose of a food tray, and what types of food trays are commonly used in daily life?
In this article, we dive deep into the meaning and advantages of a plastic tray, explain how plastic food trays support modern food packaging, and introduce 10 popular types of trays used worldwide. Whether you’re working in food production, supermarkets, restaurants, or e-commerce delivery, understanding plastic food trays helps you choose the right packaging solution.
A plastic food tray is a flat, pre-formed plastic tray designed to hold, transport, display, or package food items safely. These plastic food trays are made from materials such as PET, PP, PS, ABS, and biodegradable polymers depending on the purpose. In modern food packaging, a plastic tray is used for meat, fruits, vegetables, bakery items, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, and even beverages.
Because a plastic tray can be transparent, colored, compartment-based, or sealed with a lid or film, it has become an essential part of hygienic food packaging across supermarkets, restaurants, food factories, and take-away businesses.
Most importantly, a plastic food tray provides stability, safety, and convenience — all key factors in food packaging where appearance, freshness, and protection matter.
The primary purpose of a food tray — especially a plastic tray — is to make handling, storing, and serving food easier. In daily food packaging, food trays help:
Keep food clean and hygienic
Prevent food from being crushed or damaged
Organize meals and ingredients neatly
Improve the visual appeal of displayed food
Extend shelf life when used with sealing films
Support transportation and takeaway packaging
Provide separation for different ingredients
Because plastic food trays are lightweight, cost-effective, and customizable, they remain a top choice for food packaging in restaurants, convenience stores, food factories, and retail chains.
Below is a breakdown of the 10 most common plastic food trays used worldwide. Each plastic tray meets different needs, from storage and display to meal preparation and transport.
| Type of Plastic Tray | Description | Common Uses in Food Packaging |
|---|---|---|
| 1. PET plastic food trays | Clear and high transparency | Fruit, vegetables, bakery items, retail food packaging |
| 2. PP microwaveable plastic trays | Heat-resistant plastic tray | Ready meals, reheatable food packaging |
| 3. PS disposable plastic trays | Lightweight and economical | Fast food, snacks, temporary food packaging |
| 4. Compartmental food trays | Multiple divided sections | Bento meals, cafeteria food, lunch sets |
| 5. Meat and seafood plastic trays | Thick and durable | Meat packaging, fish packaging |
| 6. Blister plastic food trays | Form-fitted and sealed | Sushi, desserts, small snacks |
| 7. Stackable display trays | Designed for shelves | Bakery display, deli counter displays |
| 8. Anti-fog plastic trays | Prevent moisture buildup | Refrigerated food packaging |
| 9. Eco-friendly biodegradable food trays | Compostable and sustainable | Environment-friendly food packaging |
| 10. Heavy-duty commercial trays | Strong and reusable | Industrial kitchens, cafeterias, hotels |
How Plastic Food Trays Support Modern Food Packaging
It’s hard to imagine today’s global food supply chain without the plastic tray. From farms to factories to supermarkets, plastic food trays keep products safe, fresh, and visually appealing. Here’s how they enhance food packaging:
A plastic tray prevents direct contact between food and outside contaminants. This is crucial for raw meats, baked goods, and ready-to-eat meals.
Many plastic food trays are designed to work with sealing films, MAP packaging, and vacuum techniques. This keeps food fresher for longer, reducing waste.
A plastic tray protects soft foods (like fruits) and fragile foods (like pastries) from being squashed.
Clear plastic trays make products look fresh and premium — a key advantage for supermarkets and food retailers.
You can easily customize plastic food trays with shapes, compartments, colors, and printed logos. Customized plastic food trays enhance brand identity in the competitive food packaging market.
From food factories to delivery services, plastic trays make stacking and transporting food safer and more efficient.
The versatility of plastic food trays allows them to be used for fruits, meats, seafood, sushi, pastries, salads, and hot meals — all within one high-performance food packaging system.
Even with many packaging options available today, the plastic tray still leads for several reasons:
Affordable compared to metal or glass
Lightweight for transport and delivery
Hygienic and safe for food contact
Recyclable materials available
Perfect for sealing machines
Strong structure protects fragile foods
Excellent shape stability
Easy for consumers to use
In both professional kitchens and household use, plastic food trays offer unmatched convenience and reliability.
A plastic food tray is a flat or compartmental plastic tray used to store, package, display, and serve food in a hygienic and efficient way. It is widely used across supermarkets, restaurants, and food production industries.
The purpose of a food tray is to support clean, organized, and safe handling of food. In food packaging, plastic trays protect the freshness and appearance of food while simplifying transport and display.
Yes. High-quality plastic food trays made from approved materials (PET, PP, PS) are safe, durable, and suitable for direct food contact.
Absolutely. Customized plastic trays can be made in unique shapes, colors, prints, and sizes depending on your food packaging needs.
At the end of this article, we recommend a reliable manufacturer specializing in plastic trays and food packaging solutions.
A plastic food tray is more than just a container — it’s the backbone of modern food packaging. Whether you need plastic food trays for meat, bakery products, fruits, frozen meals, restaurants, or retail display, choosing the right plastic tray ensures freshness, safety, and professional presentation. With customizable options, durability, and excellent visual appeal, plastic food trays remain the global standard in food presentation and packaging.
For businesses searching for trustworthy plastic tray solutions, one brand stands out.
ZX PACK specializes in high-quality plastic trays and professional food packaging solutions tailored to global businesses.
Email: zszxpack@163.com
Phone: +86-18024217948
If you need durable, customizable, and food-safe plastic food trays, ZX PACK is your go-to choice.
