Abstract: A cover (14) protects a food tray (12) and the like and provides a sanitary environment on the tray for home, restaurant and travel use. The cover includes a overlay portion (15) and a peripheral portion (16). The material of the overlay portion, which is substantially impermeable to liquid and which is positionable atop the tray, has a span greater than that of the tray so that its peripheral portion can extend beyond the edge of the tray. An elastic material (16) is secured to or held within the peripheral portion so that it can be wrapped underneath the tray and thereby secure the cover to the tray. After use, the cover is removable from the tray along with any liquid and solid material or other mess that may exist on the cover.