Why are egg noodles (in the US) still packaged in those crisp bags that tear wide open and then disintegrate when you go to use them?

They do this to maximize profits when the packaging costs more than the contents.

Some noodles are sold in boxes. Much more rationale.

I always figured the wide flat egg noodles were sold that way so you would cook them all at once.

Good points above.
I use enough and then put them in a zip lock bag.
You could cook all and save some for a quick second dish or carry-lunch.

IDK.

GQ.

I always thought that the plastic in those bags was a little thicker than on some bags, because they needed to keep the air, and various dust bugs out. Some of those bugs love eating uncooked pasta.

So by basically wrecking the original bag on opening, the manufacturers are forcing you, but design, to put the pasta that you don’t use into a more airtight container.

GREAT QUESTION! I’ve always wondered that myself. I hate it when the plastic splits, especially if I don’t intend to cook the whole batch at once, so now, I buy my pasta in cardboard cartons.

I don’t know much about egg noodles – I don’t eat eggs – but it sounds as if you’re describing cellophane.

Cellophane is made from wood and cotton, and it’s 100% biodegradable. Cellophane is minutely permeable to air and moisture, so it keeps things fresh and crisp. Cellophane’s the best material for a bread wrapper; moisture escapes, and the bread won’t get soggy. The internal packaging for a box of cookies or crackers – when the contents are lined-up in neat rows and wrapped – is also cellophane; the product stays crisp. Cellophane is used for cigar wrappers, because cigars need to “breathe” during shipment and storage.

Getting back to egg noodles… Maybe the egg content will become rancid if the bag doesn’t “breathe”? I’m just guessing here.

GA, @Love_my_doggie. Good research.

I had thought cellophane, but believed it was no longer in common use, like celluloid, guessing they were related.

Come to think of it? Most of those cardboard boxes of pasta mentioned above? Have cellophane windows.
Too bad the internet no longer answers these kinds of questions effectively.

Love_my_doggie~
I didn’t know that. How interesting! It makes perfect sense!
Wow. Thank you, I just learned a ‘cool fact’!

I learned about the Virtues of Cellophane many years ago, when I wanted to find a biodegradable alternative to plastic food-storage bags. I quickly noticed that produce stays much fresher, and for much longer, when it’s stored in cellophane. It goes back to the whole “breathing” thing. A plastic bag retains moisture, creates stale air, and promotes decay.

Smart!
It makes sense!
The only thing I can claim was something I picked up off of a British Comedy sitcom…
I put celery upright in a large cup of water. It makes it last so much longer.
Your a-ha is fantastic. I cheated- it was in the background of a show. I was probably drooling at the same time. :D
Candy wrappers! Some are made of the same cellophane-
How clever. Im glad I saw your post.
Thank you again!
Take good care ~

Where do you buy cellophane food storage bags, @Love_my_doggie?