 The Jif plastic containers were originally made from polythene , and were one of the original and first blow moulded containers used for food applications . The plastic containers served to replace glass bottles used to package lemon juice . The plastic container was the brainchild of Edward Hack , and the container 's design was undertaken by Bill Pugh , the chief plastics designer at Cascelloid . In its development , Pugh carved a core made of wood , covered it with fresh lemon peel to give it a realistic texture , and then cast a plaster mould . This led to the realistic @-@ looking container that significantly resembles a lemon . 
