# Do you remove the inside cover on things like yogurt containers, cans of nuts, etc.? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291 "2019-11-11T16:11:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/1 "2019-11-11T16:11:05Z")
For example, a container of yogurt has a lid that comes on and off, but then inside that lid is a plastic seal that has to be peeled away. Cans of peanuts and a lot of other products have similar things. I have always peeled the inside covers completely off and tossed them right from the get go. Never occurred to me not to. But I’ve recently encountered people who peel these covers back half way or so, and then leave them on. How common is this? (Talking of course about multi serving containers, not individual.) ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/2 "2019-11-11T16:14:19Z")
I leave the plastic on if it still contains the original contents. Once it holds leftovers of some variety, I remove the plastic. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/3 "2019-11-11T16:15:41Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > (Talking of course about multi serving containers, not individual.) Every container is single serving if you put your mind to it. But, yeah, I throw away the inner cover and recover with the outer cover. ---
**Author:** ![TRC4941](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trc4941/32/6792_2.png) [@TRC4941](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TRC4941)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/4 "2019-11-11T16:17:37Z")
I throw away the inner cover/seal. It seems it would get in the way. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/5 "2019-11-11T16:18:48Z")
I can’t imagine leaving the inner seal on. It would be obnoxious and in the way for dry items and make a mess for things like yogurt. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/6 "2019-11-11T16:36:15Z")
I throw away the inner seal. My wife leaves it. I asked her why, she thinks it keeps the food fresh longer. I assume that’s false, since it’s no longer sealed, but I think it’s a fairly common belief. ---
**Author:** ![Sterling\_Archer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Sterling\_Archer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sterling_Archer)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 4:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/7 "2019-11-11T16:37:26Z")
Yogurts are a bad example, btw. I haven’t seen a yogurt with a plastic lid and a seal in years. All the yogurts I buy have only the foil seal. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/8 "2019-11-11T17:15:08Z")
I remove and throw away for everything except Planter’s Cheez balls. I leave that one on because without it, they get a little stale before I can finish the can. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/9 "2019-11-11T17:25:25Z")
> [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > I throw away the inner seal. My wife leaves it. I asked her why, she thinks it keeps the food fresh longer. I assume that’s false, since it’s no longer sealed, but I think it’s a fairly common belief. I can see how people might think it could act as a gasket, but the plastic lid it came with should be more than adequate the vast majority of the time. > [@Sterling\_Archer](#): > > Yogurts are a bad example, btw. I haven’t seen a yogurt with a plastic lid and a seal in years. All the yogurts I buy have only the foil seal. That confused me until I saw Kayaker’s comment. You have to think about the bigger containers of yogurt that have a foil seal under the reusable plastic lid. [![](https://www.innit.com/public/products/images/00036632007896-X8mHWiyW5REiJQ-0_s500.jpg) ](https://www.innit.com/public/products/images/00036632007896-X8mHWiyW5REiJQ-0_s500.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Oly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/oly/32/8255_2.png) [@Oly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oly)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/10 "2019-11-11T18:09:32Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > You have to think about the bigger containers of yogurt that have a foil seal under the reusable plastic lid. > [https://www.innit.com/public/products/images/00036632007896-X8mHWiyW5REiJQ-0\_s500.jpg](https://www.innit.com/public/products/images/00036632007896-X8mHWiyW5REiJQ-0_s500.jpg) Yes, the poll question refers to multi serving containers (Henry VIII-types notwithstanding). I put that in post #1, but prolly shudda put in the question. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/11 "2019-11-11T18:14:41Z")
Not only do I remove the inner seal, I try to remove it completely. No little bits of it clinging to the rim of the container. That’s not always possible, though and it annoys me. ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/12 "2019-11-11T18:14:53Z")
I usually leave the foil/paper seal hanging on containers of peanuts and Pringles. Sour cream in the fridge, too. Yes, in my mind, it acts as an extra-freshness gasket. No, it’s not logical. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/13 "2019-11-11T18:26:21Z")
> [@Oly](#): > > Yes, the poll question refers to multi serving containers (Henry VIII-types notwithstanding). I put that in post #1, but prolly shudda put in the question. It’s not your fault, I just didn’t read the entire OP well enough. In my head, probably because of the title, I was thinking of single serving yogurt containers. Especially since I see people eat those both ways (foil still partially on or totally removed). ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/14 "2019-11-11T18:55:54Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > I usually leave the foil/paper seal hanging on containers of peanuts and Pringles. Sour cream in the fridge, too. > > Yes, in my mind, it acts as an extra-freshness gasket. No, it’s not logical. I throw it out. Once you touch the inner seal, you’ve deposited bacteria there. If you leave the seal on, especially for wet things like sour cream, yogurt and cottage cheese, that may evidence itself as mold very soon. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/15 "2019-11-11T19:00:54Z")
The seal gets tossed, with one exception: when I’m going to be using the complete contents. Those small cans of Pringles, or a pot of yoghurt that’s going to become an ingredient in a family-size dessert. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/16 "2019-11-11T22:54:31Z")
Toss all except the Bleu Cheese crumbles. Keeping that inner seal allows me to shake the tub up and not get the plastic lid all gunky. ---
**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2019, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/17 "2019-11-11T23:17:41Z")
Once a container loses its virginity, you can’t pretend to get it back by leaving a half-opened seal on it. Toss it out. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/18 "2019-11-12T00:03:37Z")
Me: remove it completely. My wife: peel it halfway and leave it on. I don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![DorkVader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@DorkVader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DorkVader)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/19 "2019-11-12T00:07:55Z")
I’m of the peel and discard while not understanding the leave it on camp once the inner seal is breached its function is done and it’s just in the way after that. ---
**Author:** ![kopek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kopek/32/337_2.png) [@kopek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kopek)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2019, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291/20 "2019-11-12T00:30:26Z")
I too have known people who leave the inner seals in place. I am not morally opposed to the concept but I never understood it. Once the seal is broken how can it help any more than the basic snap-lid that covered it? Especially since most of the things so packaged don’t have a very long hang-time around here. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-remove-the-inside-cover-on-things-like-yogurt-containers-cans-of-nuts-etc/843291.md?page=2)