The possibility that certain types of plastics can release some harmful chemicals and toxins is often overlooked but is very important to consider. You should know that some plastics are safer for food and water and some plastic bottles have a detrimental effect on our health and environment. So how can you know which plastics are safe for food and water?
The US Food and Drug Administration (FD) regulates the safety of all plastics used in packaging and storing food and water.
The easiest and best way to know if plastic is safe for storing food and water is by consulting the recycling number. The Resin Identification Code is also commonly known as the recycling number. It is mainly written inside the recycle symbol at the bottom of the plastic.
The plastics that are safe for food and water storage are PET, HDPE, LDPE, and PP. each of the plastics has resin numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5, respectively. Other plastics with numbers 3, 6, and 7 are particularly harmful and should be avoided.
PET Plastic Bottles
PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) is a clear and lightweight plastic commonly used to store water and food for a long time. PET is made to be semi-rigid or rigid, making it more impact resistant and helps protect food and liquids inside the packaging.
PET plastic bottles are commonly used in water bottles, packaging for soft drinks, sports drinks, vitamins, salad dressings, bottles of ketchup, vegetable oil bottles, and peanut butter containers.
According to the FDA, PET plastic bottles are food safe in both their virgin and recycled state. Furthermore, it is said to reel microorganisms and doesn’t rust, making it an ideal material for food and beverage contact and storage.
Pet is very recyclable and can be reused
HDPE Plastic Bottles
HDPE (High-density polyethylene) is regarded as the best type of plastic to use in long-term food storage. It is the most stable and inert form of plastics. It is impact-resistant, long-lasting, and weather resistant. HDPE works well as water containers for domestic use, not drinking unless you can clean them thoroughly.
HDPE is FDA compliant for food and water storage. However, it is being consistently reviewed on a case-to-case basis as it can sometimes become unsafe in the recycling process. Even though some HDPE plastics are considered food-grade milk containers, they are not suitable water storage containers unless you properly clean them. They are difficult to properly clean, so you should use water stored in them
High-grade HDPE plastics are commonly used in plastic buckets for food storage, juice and milk jugs packaging, squeeze butter and vinegar bottles, and chocolate syrup containers.
Like PET, HDPE is also a very easily recyclable plastic.
LDPE Plastics
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is similar to HDPE but tends to be less rigid. This makes it perfect for squeeze bottles or plastic films like cling wrap, six-pack rings, and many more. LDPE is chemically resistant, repels microorganisms, and do not leach harmful toxins when used to store food in a variety of temperature.
According to the FDA, LDPE is safe for food storage in its virgin state. However, in recycled conditions, it is deemed unsafe for food contact.
LDPE is commonly used for dry-cleaning bags, Bread, frozen food bags, squeezable bottles for mustard and honey, etc.
Be it rigid or film, LDPE is recyclable.
PP Plastic
Polypropylene (PP) is a type of plastic that is somewhat stiff and less brittle than other plastics. It can be translucent, opaque, or of different colors after manufacturing. Polypropylene has a generally high melting point, making it suitable for packaging food products used in microwaves or cleaned in dishwashers. PP serves as an excellent barrier against moisture, grease, and chemicals.
According to the FDA, PP is one of the safest food contact plastics. It is microwave safe and nonvolatile, which means that it will not react with any food type of food you store in it, be it acidic, basic, or liquid.
Polypropylene is commonly used n food packaging to make yogurt containers, maple syrup containers, cream cheese containers, and sour cream containers. It is also used in prescription bottles.
PP has a resin code of 5 and is very recyclable.
Conclusion
Plastics are here to stay, and we doubt that any of us will entirely stop using plastic containers to store our food. Hence, it is essential to be aware of the safe plastics to use as food storage at home and in our travels. Be thoughtful and cautious about what plastic you use to store food, use the information above and stay safe.
At Moyo Natural Labs, your safety is our priority. We are a recycled per bottle manufacturer that values the wellbeing of our customers. Our PET and HDPE plastic bottles are recyclable, reusable, and refillable. All our products are FDA approved and passed all safety checks.
We also have a team of experts on the ground to guide you on the best type of plastic you need.
Visit our website at www.moyonaturallabs.com now and get started.
