Is the gel in a cold pack toxic?

Customers regularly ask us whether the gel in an ice pack is dangerous, especially when the packs travel with foodstuffs. The short answer: no, but there are a few rules for use.

What the gel consists of

The gel is a water-based thickener. The vast majority is simply water; the thickener makes sure that it does not run out if the pack is damaged but stays in the film. That is exactly why a gel pack works better than frozen water: no meltwater gets onto your product.

Non-toxic, but not edible

The gel is non-toxic and meets the requirements for materials that come into contact with food. That means a damaged pack next to your product poses no danger. It does not mean the gel is intended for consumption. Keep packs out of reach of children and throw away a leaking pack instead of reusing it.

Around pets

Dogs sometimes bite into an ice pack. The amount of gel in a pack is not acutely toxic, but an animal that swallows film can suffer stomach or intestinal problems. Do not leave packs unattended where pets can reach them.

What do you do with a leaking pack?

A pack can be damaged by a sharp edge, a fall or stacking too tightly. If that happens, do the following:

• Take the pack out of the box and throw it away. Do not use it again.
• Wipe gel off the product or the box with a cloth and warm water.
• If the product itself has come into contact with gel, assess whether you can still use it. If in doubt, keep it out of sale or delivery.
• Did someone get gel in the eyes or on the skin? Rinse with plenty of water. If symptoms persist, consult a doctor.

Do you have complaints about a batch with a noticeably high number of leaks? Send us a photo of the pack and the box. Then we can work out together whether the cause lies with the pack, the box or the packing.

Packs next to foodstuffs: practical rules

The pack is in a sealed film. Even so, it is sensible to agree a few fixed rules:

• Do not place loose products without their own packaging directly against the pack. Use an intermediate layer of cardboard or an inner bag.
• Briefly check every pack for damage before you place it in the box.
• For fresh meat or fish, use separate inner packaging, so that any moisture does not end up between the packs and the box.
• After use, do not open packs to look at the gel or reuse it.

You can read more about the practice of shipping food chilled in shipping food chilled. For freezing and placing the packs, see freezing and packing ice packs.

Storing the packs themselves

Store packs in the freezer in a place where they will not be damaged by sharp objects or heavy stacks. Lay them flat. Before use, check them for tears, bumps or damp spots on the outside. A pack that feels sticky may be leaking. Throw it away. That way you avoid a leaking pack surprising you or your customer only when unpacking.

Disposal

Let the pack thaw completely and dispose of it with the general waste. Do not rinse the gel down the sink or toilet: it can thicken in the drain. The film is LDPE, material code 04. Do not cut the film open to get the gel out; that only makes disposal messier.

Questions about documentation

For business customers who need declarations about material composition or food contact, we supply the relevant documentation on request. Is your own customer or quality department asking for a specific declaration? Then please state for which application you use the packs. Then we can answer in a targeted way.

Checklist for your own quality policy

1. Record which packs you use and request the relevant documentation.
2. Decide whether packs may touch the product or must always be kept separate.
3. Set up a brief check for damage at packing.
4. Record what staff do in the event of a leaking pack.
5. Inform your customers that the pack is not edible and how to dispose of it.

You can find more about the gel packs themselves at gel pack 400 gram, at cold packs for food transport and in the collection gel packs. Unsure between a gel pack and a hard cooling element? Then read cold plate or gel pack.

Frequently asked questions

Is the gel dangerous if it gets on my product?

The gel is non-toxic, but not intended to be eaten. Wipe the product clean if the packaging allows, or assess whether it is still usable. If in doubt, throw the product away.

May I throw the gel down the sink?

No. The gel can thicken in the drain. Let the pack thaw and put it in the general waste.

Can I reuse a damaged pack?

No. A pack with a tear or leak loses its gel and is no longer reliable. Replace it.

May children play with the pack?

No. A pack is not a toy. Keep it out of reach of children.