What Are Food Lugs Used For? — Shirley K’s
What Are Food Lugs Used For? A Buyer’s Guide to Plastic Food Handling Containers
Food lugs are heavy-duty plastic containers designed for use in food processing, commercial bakeries, meat processing, and food distribution environments. They are built to withstand the demanding conditions of food production — including temperature extremes, high-pressure cleaning, and repeated daily handling.
WHAT IS A FOOD LUG?
A food lug is a reusable plastic container used to transport, store, and process food products. The term “lug” comes from the handles or tabs on many container designs. Food lugs are standard equipment in:
- Meat packing and processing facilities
- Commercial bakeries (proofing and transport)
- Produce distribution and cold storage
- Food service distribution centers
TYPES OF FOOD LUGS
Meat Trays
Shallow trays used for processing, display, and transport of meat products. Available in multiple sizes to fit standard processing line equipment.
General Food Totes
Deeper containers for bulk food transport and storage. Stack-n-nest configurations allow efficient use of floor space when empty.
HD (Heavy Duty) Lugs
Heavy-duty construction for demanding applications — high-volume processing lines, heavier products, more aggressive handling.
TufStack Lugs
Ultra-heavy-duty design for the most demanding load applications. Contact Shirley K’s for specifications on Part 319.
Economy Lugs
Cost-effective options for lower-intensity food handling applications.
KEY BUYING CONSIDERATIONS
Material: HMW-HDPE (High Molecular Weight HDPE) is the standard for demanding food handling. It is manufactured from HDPE suitable for food contact applications and is designed for repeated, demanding use.
Stack-and-Nest capability: Food lugs that rotate to stack when full and nest when empty save significant floor space. Shirley K’s Stack-N-Nest configurations rotate 90 or 180 degrees.
Temperature range: Many HMW-HDPE food lugs are suitable for freeze operations. Contact Shirley K’s for rated temperature range and product-specific specifications.
Cleanability: Smooth surfaces without tight corners allow thorough cleaning. Look for non-porous plastic that resists odor absorption.
Stock availability: High-volume food processors benefit from suppliers with stock inventory for fast replenishment. Shirley K’s carries many SKUs in stock — contact us to confirm availability.
SHIRLEY K’S FOOD HANDLING LINE
Shirley K’s offers a complete line of food handling containers — meat trays, food totes, HD lugs, TufStack, and economy lugs. All made from HMW-HDPE.
SKUs include: 220, 256, 289, 300 (meat trays); 222, 235, 236, 246, 253, 254, 291, 312 (food totes); 317, 318, 320, 330 (HD lugs); 319 (TufStack); 412, 417, 418, 419, 420 (economy lugs).
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