Knowing Which Plastic is Safe as Food Packaging Material
Knowing Which Plastic is Safe as Food Packaging Material
The increase awareness of Bisphenol A, (BPA) and its hazardous effect on human health has continuously given rise to alternative packaging materials in most developed nations compare to Africa. For instance, in Nigeria, awareness is still low as plastic applications stand tall as choice packaging strategy among business operators, embracing such poly products due to cost and functional advantages without considering the huge pollutants and hazards inflicted on the environment
One concern over plastics packaging is the leakage of highly hazardous chemical, BPA into our foods and drinks, often the case when subjected to heat such like microwaving foods in plastic containers.
The purpose of food packaging is to ensure that food safety standards is maintained, minimizes environmental impact, complies with industry requirements, and appeals to consumer desires
It is of important to note that plastics used in food packaging application are THERMOPLASTIC. These are polymers that soften upon exposure to heat. They are recyclable and come with components like stabilizers, plasticizers, and bisphenol A
What to watch out for in ensuring that your plastic container isn’t made out of toxic materials is to identify food-safe types of plastics that can store food and water without risk of leaching or better still fall within the permissible limit
Step One
Check for a Recycle Symbol.
This is often place at the bottom of the container.
It differs from machine mold number which is also display underneath
Step Two
Take note of the number inside the recycle symbol.
Step Three
Cross-reference the number with list of plastics that are considered “food-safe or grade".
LISTS OF SAFE FOOD PLASTICS
#1 PET - (polyethylene terephthalate)
#2 HDPE - (high density polyethylene)
#4 LDPE - (low density polyethylene)
#5 PP - (polypropylene)
LISTS OF UNSAFE FOOD PLASTICS
#3PVC - (polyvinyl chloride)
#6PS - (polystyrene)
#7PC - (polycarbonate)
Carbonated soft drinks and beverages such as flavored drinks containers are primarily made of #1 PET or #2 PE, a food-grade type of plastic.
PET is a glass like transparent plastics e.g plastic bottle, jars and tubs while PE is used to make opaque or translucent bottles for yoghurt, flavored milk or juice and LDPE is predominately used in film applications and in applications where heat sealing is necessary, e.g. Bread and frozen food bags, flexible lids, squeezable food bottles
PVC is widely used in packaging film
PS applications include protective packaging commonly used both indoor and outdoor such as containers, disposable plastic silverware, lids, cups, plates, bottles, food trays etc.
PC is formed by polymerization of a sodium salt of bisphenol acid with carbonyl dichloride.
Not all #2 PE plastics merit a Food Safe rating. So it is imperative to take caution
In all, glass container is far better and preferably to any known plastic packaging application.
Glass is odorless and chemically inert with virtually all food products
It's impermeable to gases and vapor
It maintains product freshness without impairing taste or flavor
Withstand high processing temperatures making it useful for both low-acid and high-acid foods.
Provides good insulation,
Its packaging benefits the environment for it is reusable and recyclable
The increase awareness of Bisphenol A, (BPA) and its hazardous effect on human health has continuously given rise to alternative packaging materials in most developed nations compare to Africa. For instance, in Nigeria, awareness is still low as plastic applications stand tall as choice packaging strategy among business operators, embracing such poly products due to cost and functional advantages without considering the huge pollutants and hazards inflicted on the environment
One concern over plastics packaging is the leakage of highly hazardous chemical, BPA into our foods and drinks, often the case when subjected to heat such like microwaving foods in plastic containers.
The purpose of food packaging is to ensure that food safety standards is maintained, minimizes environmental impact, complies with industry requirements, and appeals to consumer desires
It is of important to note that plastics used in food packaging application are THERMOPLASTIC. These are polymers that soften upon exposure to heat. They are recyclable and come with components like stabilizers, plasticizers, and bisphenol A
What to watch out for in ensuring that your plastic container isn’t made out of toxic materials is to identify food-safe types of plastics that can store food and water without risk of leaching or better still fall within the permissible limit
Step One
Check for a Recycle Symbol.
This is often place at the bottom of the container.
It differs from machine mold number which is also display underneath
Step Two
Take note of the number inside the recycle symbol.
Step Three
Cross-reference the number with list of plastics that are considered “food-safe or grade".
LISTS OF SAFE FOOD PLASTICS
#1 PET - (polyethylene terephthalate)
#2 HDPE - (high density polyethylene)
#4 LDPE - (low density polyethylene)
#5 PP - (polypropylene)
LISTS OF UNSAFE FOOD PLASTICS
#3PVC - (polyvinyl chloride)
#6PS - (polystyrene)
#7PC - (polycarbonate)
Carbonated soft drinks and beverages such as flavored drinks containers are primarily made of #1 PET or #2 PE, a food-grade type of plastic.
PET is a glass like transparent plastics e.g plastic bottle, jars and tubs while PE is used to make opaque or translucent bottles for yoghurt, flavored milk or juice and LDPE is predominately used in film applications and in applications where heat sealing is necessary, e.g. Bread and frozen food bags, flexible lids, squeezable food bottles
PVC is widely used in packaging film
PS applications include protective packaging commonly used both indoor and outdoor such as containers, disposable plastic silverware, lids, cups, plates, bottles, food trays etc.
PC is formed by polymerization of a sodium salt of bisphenol acid with carbonyl dichloride.
Not all #2 PE plastics merit a Food Safe rating. So it is imperative to take caution
In all, glass container is far better and preferably to any known plastic packaging application.
Glass is odorless and chemically inert with virtually all food products
It's impermeable to gases and vapor
It maintains product freshness without impairing taste or flavor
Withstand high processing temperatures making it useful for both low-acid and high-acid foods.
Provides good insulation,
Its packaging benefits the environment for it is reusable and recyclable
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