If you're packaging meals for a school cafeteria, hospital kitchen, or correctional facility, the bags you use matter more than you might think. The wrong bag can compromise food safety, ruin texture, or even melt in an oven. The right bag keeps food at the correct temperature, looks professional, and stands up to your entire workflow.

Cold Bags: The Everyday Workhorse

Cold bags are made from LLDPE, a flexible, food-safe plastic that performs best at refrigerated and room temperatures.

Best Uses

• Sandwiches and wraps
• Salads and fresh fruit cups
• Yogurt parfaits and snack packs
• Breakfast bundles
• Any grab-and-go item stored in a cooler

Key Properties

• Temperature range: Designed for cold storage (32°F–70°F). Not for ovens.
• Clarity: Excellent transparency so contents are visible without opening.
• Moisture resistance: Resists condensation when moved from cold to room temperature.
• Seal compatibility: Works with the EPAC+ tape sealer.

Hot Bags: Built for the Oven

Hot bags are made from polyester film and engineered for serious heat—up to 450°F.

Best Uses

• Chicken tenders and nuggets
• Pizza slices and flatbreads
• Burritos and hot wraps
• Fish fillets and breaded entrées

Key Properties

• Temperature range: Rated up to 450°F, safe for convection ovens.
• Heat-stable film: Polyester doesn't melt or release chemicals at high temperatures.
• Grease resistance: Stands up to oily foods without weakening.
• Crisp texture retention: Polyester allows moisture to escape, keeping breaded items crispy.

Mid-Temp Bags: The In-Between Option

Mid-temp bags handle temperatures up to approximately 220°F—warm enough for holding cabinets but not designed for full oven use.

Best Uses

• Breadsticks and rolls needing gentle warming
• Pre-cooked pasta or rice dishes in a warming cabinet
• Items from a steam table at moderate temperatures

Quick Comparison

• Cold Bag (LLDPE) — Max temp: ~70°F | Best for: sandwiches, salads, grab-and-go | Oven safe: No
• Mid-Temp Bag — Max temp: ~220°F | Best for: warming cabinets | Oven safe: No
• Hot Bag (Polyester) — Max temp: 450°F | Best for: convection oven entrées | Oven safe: Yes

How to Decide What You Need

• 80% cold bags. Sandwiches, salads, fruit, breakfast items, and snack packs.
• 15% hot bags. Your rotating hot entrée that goes through the oven.
• 5% mid-temp bags. Bread service, warm sides, and warming cabinet items.

One Sealer Handles All Three

The EPAC+ tape sealer works with cold, hot, and mid-temp bags. Pair it with color-coded tape to visually distinguish meal types on the serving line.

Explore the full bags category or contact us for help building a packaging plan tailored to your menu.