# Why is flour still usually packaged in paper bags? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368 "2013-03-19T17:08:26Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/1 "2013-03-19T17:08:26Z")
(Promped by a rant from my sister-in-law and a follow-up conversation with her and other family members.) Flour is generally packaged and sold in paper bags. These bags are frequently difficult to open unless you’re quite careful. Sometimes the paper tears, making them hard to close up and use for continued storage. Often, flour leaks out and has to be cleaned up. Sugar, on the other hand, does come in paper bags —but also can be purchased in cartons, or resealable plastic bags. Why isn’t this option, which some would argue is more consumer-friendly, available for flour? (My guesses, for what it’s worth: You’re supposed to put the flour in another container after opening, though I don’t think that’s stated on the package. And flour is cheap and low-margin, so extra investment in packaging wouldn’t pay off.) ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/2 "2013-03-19T17:37:12Z")
If it ain’t broke don’t fix it? I don’t see a big demand for flour being packaged in some other fashion… and change is expensive. All of the current packing equipment is set up for paper bags. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/3 "2013-03-19T17:44:10Z")
> [@Interrobang](#): > > These bags are frequently difficult to open unless you’re quite careful. Sometimes the paper tears, making them hard to close up and use for continued storage. Often, flour leaks out and has to be cleaned up. It is not difficult to open, and I suggest user error. 😃 As to the other, yes, I always put them in a different container. It is a PITA to pour and measure out of the paper bag, plus the container I have fits a lot of flour and is easier to keep filled. No need to change it, as dolphinboy says. ---
**Author:** ![Toucanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Toucanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toucanna)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/4 "2013-03-19T17:47:24Z")
Two words: static electricity. All that powder sliding over the plastic produces static electricity. Something you want to avoid if you don’t want your processing plant to blow up. Also, paper allows any moisture in the flour to evaporate. If you seal warm flour in an impermeable container, the flour will mold/rot. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/5 "2013-03-19T17:55:06Z")
I work right on the Mississippi near St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis. Lots of milling history right on our doorstep. Back in the day, it was all packed in wooden barrels for shipping. Just be thankful you can get it in paper bags and don’t have to purchase it by the wooden barrel. ---
**Author:** ![dolphinboy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dolphinboy/32/330_2.png) [@dolphinboy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dolphinboy)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/6 "2013-03-19T18:06:10Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I work right on the Mississippi near St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis. Lots of milling history right on our doorstep. > > Back in the day, it was all packed in wooden barrels for shipping. Just be thankful you can get it in paper bags and don’t have to purchase it by the wooden barrel. or a 50 lb burlap bag… ---
**Author:** ![Interrobang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/interrobang/32/17463_2.png) [@Interrobang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Interrobang)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/7 "2013-03-19T18:20:04Z")
> [@Anaamika](#): > > It is not difficult to open, and I suggest user error. I actually agree with this —you have to be careful, but I’ve never had a major flour disaster. Based on replies to my sister-in-law’s Facebook post, however, a significant number of people have had flour bag rage. The static electricity is a great point, **Toucanna**. ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/8 "2013-03-19T18:22:41Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > Back in the day, it was all packed in wooden barrels for shipping. Just be thankful you can get it in paper bags and don’t have to purchase it by the wooden barrel. A friend’s grandmother used to mix ingredients straight in the barrel of flour. She’d make a depression in the flour, pour in the milk, eggs, whatever, and mix. When the ball was the right consistency, she’d pull it out. ---
**Author:** ![Anachronism](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@Anachronism](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anachronism)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/9 "2013-03-19T18:24:05Z")
Most restaurants get their flour in 50 lb **paper** bags, yes it’s as much of a pain as you would think :rolleyes: ---
**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:** [March 19, 2013, 6:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/10 "2013-03-19T18:26:29Z")
> [@Interrobang](#): > > I actually agree with this —you have to be careful, but I’ve never had a major flour disaster. Based on replies to my sister-in-law’s Facebook post, however, a significant number of people have had flour bag rage. This makes me sad. If there’s one room of the house where opening shit shouldn’t be a problem, it’s the kitchen. If you have a sharp knife, you never have an excuse for flour bag rage. ---
**Author:** ![suranyi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e36b37/32.png) [@suranyi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/suranyi)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/11 "2013-03-19T18:35:20Z")
> [@Interrobang](#): > > (Promped by a rant from my sister-in-law and a follow-up conversation with her and other family members.) > > Flour is generally packaged and sold in paper bags. > > These bags are frequently difficult to open unless you’re quite careful. Sometimes the paper tears, making them hard to close up and use for continued storage. Often, flour leaks out and has to be cleaned up. > > Sugar, on the other hand, does come in paper bags —but also can be purchased in cartons, or resealable plastic bags. > > Why isn’t this option, which some would argue is more consumer-friendly, available for flour? > > (My guesses, for what it’s worth: You’re supposed to put the flour in another container after opening, though I don’t think that’s stated on the package. And flour is cheap and low-margin, so extra investment in packaging wouldn’t pay off.) Also, you compared with sugar, but sugar is used differently: You use sugar in small amounts, to add flavor. Maybe a few spoonfuls. You use flour in large amounts, for the structure. In cupfuls. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/12 "2013-03-19T18:37:31Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > or a 50 lb burlap bag… People used to make dresses out of flour sacks during the depression (they musta been cotton, not burlap). Thankfully for the little girls, the flour companies caught on and put lovely patterns on the fabric. It helped sell flour! [http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life\_06.html](http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_06.html) ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/13 "2013-03-19T18:47:03Z")
> [@Chimera](#): > > I work right on the Mississippi near St. Anthony Falls in Minneapolis. Lots of milling history right on our doorstep. > > Back in the day, it was all packed in wooden barrels for shipping. Just be thankful you can get it in paper bags and don’t have to purchase it by the wooden barrel. That would be awesome! I’d have [wooden rainbarrels, wooden barrel barstools, wodden barrel planters](https://www.google.com/search?q=wood+barrel+projects&num=20&hl=en&newwindow=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=dLJIUYjqJsjq2QXst4CoBg&ved=0CAoQ_AUoAQ&biw=1366&bih=577)… ---
**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:** [March 19, 2013, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/14 "2013-03-19T19:22:40Z")
> [@filmore](#): > > A friend’s grandmother used to mix ingredients straight in the barrel of flour. She’d make a depression in the flour, pour in the milk, eggs, whatever, and mix. When the ball was the right consistency, she’d pull it out. Really? So the remaining flour would remain untouched below the depression? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/15 "2013-03-19T19:26:07Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Really? So the remaining flour would remain untouched below the depression? I know I wondered about this too. I make flour weekly, to make Indian flatbread with, and I know when I am done when the ball picks up every bit of flour in the bowl. I can see where grandma’s recipe wouldn’t damage a lot of the flour, but it would still be damp and probably more prone to infestation. ---
**Author:** ![JWT\_Kottekoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3ec8ea/32.png) [@JWT\_Kottekoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JWT_Kottekoe)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/16 "2013-03-19T19:30:13Z")
Flour is sold in zip-lock plastic bags at our grocery store (California). It costs more, so I buy it in paper bags. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/17 "2013-03-19T19:34:25Z")
> [@JWT\_Kottekoe](#): > > Flour is sold in zip-lock plastic bags at our grocery store (California). It costs more, so I buy it in paper bags. That baggie full of white powder may not be flour… ---
**Author:** ![filmore](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7993a0/32.png) [@filmore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filmore)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/18 "2013-03-19T19:35:10Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > Really? So the remaining flour would remain untouched below the depression? This was on a farm back in the in the olden times where the flour would have been used constantly. Likely she was making things like biscuits, bread, and pie crusts every day. They had to make a lot of their own food since the general store was a long horse ride away. ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/19 "2013-03-19T20:28:25Z")
> [@dolphinboy](#): > > or a 50 lb burlap bag… Actual “burlap” is a very loose weave, and won’t hold flour, or even unmilled wheat for that matter. Prior to refrigeration being common, it was frequently used for shipping vegetables. The burlap bags were sprayed with water, and the evaporation helped cool the produce. Being common for this use, they got used for about anything else that would stay in them as well. I still see them used for green chile in New Mexico. Flour sacks were usually fairly heavy cotton, but not quite canvas. So the “dress made out of a flour sack” isn’t as nasty as burlap would be. Probably quite practical, and almost comfortable, but still humiliating not be able to afford better I’m sure. ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2013, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368/20 "2013-03-19T21:24:20Z")
> [@Kevbo](#): > > Flour sacks were usually fairly heavy cotton, but not quite canvas. So the “dress made out of a flour sack” isn’t as nasty as burlap would be. Probably quite practical, and almost comfortable, but still humiliating not be able to afford better I’m sure. IIRC, some flour companies sold flour in patterned bags to make less obvious flour bag dresses and shirts. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-is-flour-still-usually-packaged-in-paper-bags/653368.md?page=2)