Abstract: A handheld lid-closing tool and method of use thereof for closing a foil food container having a food-receiving compartment with a ledge extending around the periphery and a flexible flange extending around the peripheral edge of the ledge. The flange is reversibly foldable over a lid removably placed over the food-receiving compartment and the ledge. The handheld tool including a body member which is configured and dimensioned to be grasped by a user, having an outer surface; and at least one elongated, flange-closing channel formed in the outer surface of the body member. The channel has two open ends and two opposite spaced-apart channel walls which are connected together by a base wall to define a generally U-shaped cross section The channel has an outwardly flared broad portion on at least one of the first and second ends and an inner narrow portion.