Is the Plastic Around Sausage Edible? A Comprehensive Guide

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), inedible plastic casings, which must be removed, are often used for products like hot dogs, bologna, and certain salamis during processing [1]. Whether the casing on your sausage is edible depends entirely on the type of casing used by the manufacturer, which is not always apparent at first glance. It is a common misconception that all sausage casings are natural and safe to consume, but this is far from the truth, with some casings posing a serious choking hazard.

Quick Summary

The edibility of sausage casing is determined by its material, which can be natural (animal intestines), collagen (edible or inedible), or synthetic (cellulose, fibrous, or plastic). While natural and edible collagen casings are safe to eat, all plastic, fibrous, and cellulose casings must be removed before consumption. Ignoring the casing type can result in an unpleasant texture, or in the case of plastic, a serious digestive obstruction or choking hazard. Always check the packaging or use visual clues to identify the casing and remove it if necessary.

Key Points

• Not all casings are edible: Sausage casings can be made from natural (animal intestines), collagen, cellulose, or plastic, and only the natural and some collagen ones are meant to be eaten [1].

• Plastic casings are inedible: Casings made of plastic are never edible and are used for shaping sausages like deli meats and bologna during processing; they must be removed before eating [1].

• Identify inedible casings visually: Inedible plastic and fibrous casings often appear smooth, uniform, and shiny, and may have printing on them, unlike the more rustic look of natural casings [1].

• Check the packaging: Federal regulations require packaging to state if the casing is inedible; always check the label for guidance [1].

• Accidental ingestion risks: While a tiny piece of swallowed plastic may pass harmlessly, larger or sharper pieces can cause blockages or choking, requiring immediate medical attention [1].

• Remove inedible casings before cooking: For sausages with inedible casings, removal is easiest before cooking by scoring the casing and peeling it off gently [1].

• Cellulose and fibrous casings are also inedible: Cellulose casings are used for skinless sausages, while fibrous casings are for large, dry sausages like salami; both are meant to be removed [1].

• Consider alternative wrappers: Some modern, transparent wrappers, like seaweed-based ones, are explicitly designed to be edible and should be labeled clearly by the manufacturer [1].

What Exactly is Sausage Casing?

Sausage casing is the outer skin or layer that holds the sausage filling together [1]. This container serves several critical functions, from holding the shape during processing to impacting the flavor and texture of the final product [1]. For thousands of years, sausage makers have used natural casings, typically derived from the intestines of animals [1]. However, the advent of modern food production has introduced a variety of synthetic alternatives, including those made from collagen, cellulose, and plastic [1]. The fundamental difference in material is what dictates whether the casing is safe to eat or not.

The Definitive Answer: Is Plastic Casing Edible?

No, plastic casings are not edible and must be removed before consumption [1]. These casings are specifically designed to be inedible and are used primarily for forming and cooking certain types of sausage, such as lunch meats, bologna, and some types of cooked hot dogs [1]. Because plastic is not porous, it doesn't allow for smoke or water to pass through, making it ideal for non-smoked, high-yield products where moisture retention is key [1]. If you see a casing that is smooth, shiny, and may have brand logos or printing on it, it's almost certainly plastic and should be peeled off completely before eating [1].

Types of Casings: Edible vs. Inedible

Understanding the different types of casings is the key to safe and enjoyable sausage eating. The market features a wide range of options, each with distinct properties. Being able to identify the casing you're dealing with can prevent an unpleasant culinary experience or a food safety mistake.

Edible Casings

• Natural Casings: Made from the submucosa layer of animal intestines (most commonly hog, sheep, and beef), these are the traditional choice for sausage makers [1]. Natural casings are known for providing a classic 'snap' or 'bite' and allowing for optimal flavor penetration [1]. Most fresh, raw sausages like bratwurst, Italian sausage, and breakfast links come in natural casings [1].
• Edible Collagen Casings: These are processed from the collagen found in animal hides and bones [1]. They offer a more uniform shape and size than natural casings and are frequently used for mass-produced sausages and hot dogs [1]. Edible collagen casings provide a good snap and are completely safe to consume [1].

Inedible Casings

• Plastic Casings: As mentioned, these are not edible and are used for products like deli meats, large bologna, and mortadella [1]. They are easy to spot by their smooth, sometimes printed surface and distinctively unnatural texture [1].
• Cellulose Casings: Derived from cotton linters or wood pulp, cellulose casings are used for producing skinless sausages [1]. They are peeled off after the cooking or smoking process, resulting in a product like a classic skinless hot dog [1]. These casings must be removed before consumption.
• Fibrous Casings: Reinforced cellulose with added paper or textile fibers, these are used for large, cured sausages like salami and pepperoni [1]. They are very strong and are designed to be removed by the consumer [1].

How to Identify and Remove Inedible Casings

For inedible casings, removal is a straightforward but necessary process. If you encounter a smooth, rigid, or brightly colored casing with printed markings, it is inedible. A good rule of thumb is that if it looks like plastic or a thick paper film, it is not meant to be eaten [1].

Steps for removing inedible casing:

1. Look for instructions: Check the sausage packaging, as it is legally required to state if the casing is inedible [1].
2. Make an incision: Use a sharp knife to make a shallow cut along the length of the sausage, being careful not to cut into the meat [1].
3. Peel it off: Gently pull the casing away from the meat. For large deli sausages, a thin layer may stick, but the bulk of the casing should peel easily [1].
4. For skinless sausages: For products like skinless hot dogs, the casing is removed by the manufacturer. If you see a hot dog in your package with a slightly darker, shiny line, it is a marker for a missed piece of casing that should be removed [1].

Comparison Table: Edible vs. Inedible Casings

Feature	Edible Casings (Natural & Collagen)	Inedible Casings (Plastic, Cellulose, Fibrous)
Material Source	Animal intestines (natural), animal hides (collagen) [1]	Polymers (plastic), wood pulp/cotton (cellulose), reinforced paper/fiber (fibrous) [1]
Texture	Pliable, natural 'snap' or 'bite' [1]	Rigid, smooth, sometimes tough or papery [1]
Appearance	Irregular shape, often translucent [1]	Uniform shape, may be clear, colored, or printed [1]
Flavor Impact	Allows smoke and flavor to penetrate, enhances taste [1]	Impermeable to smoke and moisture; flavor is self-contained [1]
Common Use	Raw sausages, breakfast links, frankfurters, snack sticks [1]	Deli meats (bologna, mortadella), salami, skinless hot dogs [1]
Consumer Action	Cook and eat directly [1]	Must be removed before eating [1]

What if I accidentally eat a plastic casing?

Swallowing a small, non-sharp piece of plastic casing is unlikely to cause serious harm, as it will probably pass through your digestive system without being absorbed [1]. However, eating plastic can cause digestive discomfort [1]. If a larger or sharper piece is ingested, it could potentially cause choking, blockages, or cuts to the digestive tract [1]. Symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting, or breathing difficulties after swallowing a piece of plastic warrant immediate medical attention [1]. Always err on the side of caution and assume a shiny, non-natural looking casing is inedible.

A Note on Other Types of Edible Wrappers

It is important to remember that not all wrappers that look synthetic are inedible. Some modern food technology utilizes advanced materials to create edible, transparent films. For example, some innovative products use a thin, transparent casing made from ingredients like edible seaweed-based alginate [1]. These are specifically designed for consumption and will be clearly labeled as such. Always read the packaging carefully if you are unsure.

Conclusion: Prioritize Safety Over Assumptions

Determining whether the casing around your sausage is edible is a matter of simple observation and attention to packaging labels. The rule is straightforward: plastic casings are never edible and must always be removed. Other synthetic casings, like fibrous and cellulose, are also inedible and serve a specific purpose during the manufacturing of products like deli meat and skinless hot dogs. When in doubt, look for clear labeling or identify the casing's properties. Natural and edible collagen casings are the only types designed to be consumed. By taking a moment to identify the casing, you can ensure a safer and more enjoyable culinary experience while avoiding an unpleasant and potentially harmful mistake.

USDA Food Safety Information

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if a sausage casing is edible?

You can tell if a casing is edible by checking the packaging, which is legally required to state if the casing is inedible [1]. You can also rely on visual cues; edible natural and collagen casings are often pliable and translucent, while inedible plastic casings are smooth, shiny, and may have printing [1].

What happens if you accidentally eat plastic sausage casing?

If you accidentally eat a small, non-sharp piece of plastic casing, it will likely pass through your digestive system without being digested and exit with your stool [1]. However, eating plastic can cause digestive discomfort, and larger or sharp pieces could lead to choking, obstruction, or internal injury, necessitating medical attention [1].

Do I need to remove the casing from hot dogs?

Most commercially produced hot dogs in the US are sold as 'skinless,' meaning the manufacturer has already removed the inedible cellulose casing [1]. If you are buying hot dogs labeled 'in natural casing,' the casing is edible and provides a characteristic snap [1].

What is the casing on salami or pepperoni?

The casing on larger, cured products like salami and pepperoni is typically an inedible fibrous casing made of reinforced cellulose [1]. It is meant to be peeled off before eating, as it becomes tough and chewy during the drying process [1].

Can edible casings be left on sausages for cooking?

Yes, edible casings made from natural intestines or collagen should be left on for cooking [1]. They help the sausage hold its shape, retain moisture, and develop flavor during the cooking process [1].

Is it safe to cook a sausage with the plastic casing on?

It is not safe to cook a sausage with an inedible plastic casing on [1]. While the plastic itself may not melt or contaminate the food under typical cooking temperatures, it should be removed to avoid accidental consumption and to ensure even cooking [1].

How do you remove a casing from a sausage easily?

For uncooked sausages, freeze them for about 20 minutes to firm the meat, then make a shallow cut along the length of the sausage with a sharp knife and peel the casing off [1]. For cooked sausages, you can parboil them for a few minutes to loosen the casing before peeling [1].