There are many people wondering can you eat packing peanuts? Recently a new trend is going around the world on Tik Tok where many people are eating these packing peanuts. So if you are willing to try this trend, you are good to go as long you know which types of packing peanuts are edible.
If you regularly buy off things on the internet and receive your packaged orders, you must be aware of packing peanuts. These are stuffing used to fit products inside a box and prevent them from jiggling around. As the name suggests, these are peanut-shaped packing materials used to fill up the space in a box.
These packing materials are made of different materials, and some of them are edible. However, it is not suggested to eat them in big quantities at once. Eating these packing peanuts without checking for their ingredients and toxic materials can be a dangerous choice. Instead, you should consider the ingredients and type of packing peanuts before eating them.
Packing Peanuts
Packing peanuts are vacuum-packed peanuts used to fill the space in a box. These peanuts are provided by companies that provide boxes used for the shipping of the items. These peanuts come in different types, shapes, and sizes, depending on their uses. For example, there can be individually wrapped packing peanuts, or they can be packaged in bags.
These are majorly used as a shock-absorber while packing expensive and breakable items. These are sued up to make up for the space left in a box while packing anything in it. As for the ingredients, some of them are edible and can be eaten. But before consuming any type of packing peanut in the first place, you must ensure that they are edible and safe to consume.
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How Packing Are Peanuts Made
Commonly, these packing peanuts are commonly available in two types. When you start looking at their ingredient, you will surely have doubts whether these are dissolvable/edible/biodegradable and toxic start striking. Take a look at two common types of packing peanuts.
1. Styrofoam Packing Peanuts
During its inception in the 1960s, these packing peanuts were made with the help of commercially available polystyrene foam. Like Styrofoam, polystyrene is also a man-made (synthetic) foam made with chemicals. This is a petroleum-based product and involves chemicals as ingredients.
2. Starch-Based Packing Peanuts
These Eco-friendly packing peanuts were coined during the late 1990s. Due to their nature-friendly base, these are now widely used by the majority of the packing companies. Instead of using chemicals and petroleum products, these are made with corn, grain, or plant-based starch.
These are the packing peanuts that are edible in the first place. These starch-based packing peanuts are also free of any electrostatic charge. This means they will not stick all over the item you are packing.
Among these two, starch-based packing peanuts are now widely used in packing due to their eco-friendly nature. Moreover, these have become just as affordable as their chemically derived alternatives with scientific advancements.
Can You Eat Packing Peanuts
Some realities of packing peanuts are made from plant-based products and food substances. To answer all questions like can you eat packing peanuts, there is no harm in eating these packing peanuts. You can find them in the food industry by using the term ‘plant material.’ As for their ingredients, some of them are made from corn, wheat, and tapioca starch.
If you find Styrofoam or any type of chemicals in packing peanuts, then it is best to stay away from them. These chemically derived products can be toxic and cause severe damage to your body. It is best to dispose of them or throw them away in the garbage after unboxing your product.
However, if you have these plant starch-based packing peanuts, you can eat them, but it is suggested to avoid too many of them in the first place. These are made from natural substances and hence do not contain chemicals or toxic ingredients. But eating too many of them in one shot can cause obstacles in your digestive system.
Before eating them, you will have to check the ingredients and type of packing peanuts. If the ingredients are chemicals, it is suggested to stay away from these products. Also, if the packet has a warning label on them, you should stay away from it. You can look for ingredients labeled as toxic as an indicator of harmful substances.
If somehow you come across a pack of packing peanuts with toxic ingredients or chemicals in them, then it is best to dispose of these packets immediately and not consume them. Instead, you should avoid the consumption of packaging peanuts and check the ingredients first before eating them.
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You do not should eat too much Packing Peanuts
You can encounter different packing peanuts in your life; however, some general rules can be followed by everyone regardless of your age and gender. These rules are applicable for both adults as well as children. If you are wondering whether can you eat packing peanuts in large quantities, then the answer is no.
Children can generally eat packing peanuts in small quantities and as much as possible. However, you should avoid letting them use these peanuts for their toys or any other play-related activities.
There is no such thing as the maximum amount of packing peanuts that you can consume in a week regarding adults. Likewise, no research is conducted about the maximum number of it that an adult can eat in a week. However, treat it as your own choice and take your time before eating any packing peanuts filled with chemicals or harmful ingredients.
Packing Peanuts are Recyclable
If you live in the US and have Styrofoam packing peanuts, it is best to recycle them. Because these are made with chemicals and petroleum-based products, these should be disposed of properly. Recycling these is easy as you can either send them to your local waste disposal or recycle them yourself.
However, if you have starch-based packing peanuts from plant-based raw materials, you should not worry about recycling them. These are completely safe for the environment and can be recycled just like any other starch-based product. In addition, these starch-based packing peanuts can also be used as compost or manure in any agricultural land. Thanks for reading on Bourbon O
