What kind of plastic is safe for food storage?

Are you tired of worrying about the plastic containers you use to store your food? Well, worry no more! This article will provide all the information you need to know about what kind of plastic is safe for food storage.

The Importance of Using Safe Plastic Containers

Using unsafe plastic containers can lead to harmful chemicals leaching into your food, which can cause health problems. It’s important to choose the right type of plastic container that won’t affect your health and wellbeing in any way.

So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and examine some different types of plastics used for food storage.

Polypropylene (PP) – The Winner!

Polypropylene (PP) is a type 5 resin code on the bottom or sides of many quality-made kitchen products such as storage tubs or drink bottles. PP has high melting point temperatures meaning it does not react with hot liquids found either within our kitchens – like soups, stews or other meats removed from an oven/griller; nor produce fat residue when storing grilled foods frozen ahead then microwaved/Air fried later (What magic!).

Benefits:
– Resistant durability
– Sub-zero coldness proof.
– Ease cleanability with long life-spans
– Versatile and withstands repeated usage without destroying over time.

Know Your Plastics: Types That Can Be Unsafe

While we have described one “Good Egg” above (PP) there are numerous others out there which may spoil our efforts towards Health/Environmental preservation including:

DEHP Phthalates (bad!)

DEHP Phthalates are often used in heat resistant clear-plastic wraps/bags catering companies favor due to their cost-effectiveness long shelf-life added protection-prolongation (Soo similar sounding in nature living dangerously by using that wrap!) However coming at this cheap price/age, they’re the equivalent of you eating oily-water soaked instant noodles in cardboard boxes from a roadside stall with great 0-looking cooking standards.

Polycarbonate (bad!)

Polycarbonate, often noted as resin code seven on plastic containers – or marked ‘PC’ sometimes with recycling number six. It tends to be transparent and very hard. However, such transparency is due to it containing Bisphenol A that disintegrates fasters when heated- releasing chemicals into food/drink (Imagine!!)

Since we’ve touched base on harmful plastics let’s move over to our next great product!

Polyethylene (PE) – Another Safe Choice

Polyethylene (PE), represented by resin code 2 on plastic storage products is another safe choice if you desire cheaper/disposable alternatives than polypropylene since most sandwich bags/chip packets use it for packaging purposes already sold in companies.

Benefits:
– Lightweight and flexible material.
– Typically used for food container lids/plastic wrap adhesive tape.

The limitations
Tablets/liquids should avoid being placed inside given that their flexibility may sound like water droplets bouncing off cymbals making loud noises/currents.

Other Plastics of Concern

Aside from PC (BPA releasing) and Phthalate-containing plastics; more others exist which one needs conscious effort far-off in avoiding:

Vinyl (#3 PVC)

Herein lies materials carpets/wire coverings/outdoor flooring are made up of but so warning include fridge liner cloth shower-curtains too! Please yield away from using (trust me!)

Polystyrene (#6)

Styrofoam? Take-out Box packing?? That weird grey-ish color found at cheap eateries?? How about “tumblers” bought to have drinks while driving/passengers sit huffing & puffing?! Those are all examples of polystyrene which may enter your body once served hot food/drink inside.

We recommend the use of glass/stainless steel for indefinitely staying away from that type forcing down your health’s welfare with each gulp!

Polyester (#1 PETE)

Sodas/Bottled water sellers mainly produce Polyethylene terephthalate-based containers where they aim at permanently replacing glasses, However since flinging them around often lead to Bacteria/Harmful chemicals being released we’re not arming and praising around it when storing edibles.

Tips for Safe Food Plastic Storage

If you happen to spot any questionable types of plastic products in your cupboard or fridge, always give another mindful thought towards their uses in future by ensuring:
– Choose a High-density polypropylene rated (5) plastics ( as bought/purchased already sold on materials.)

  • Avoid using any Bisphenol A / Phthalates-containing plastic packaging/storage items.

  • Never heat up foods/beverages while stored inside plastic bags/containers unless they state so clearly on their labels.

(Remember! Not heating nor microwaving Polyethylene Teraphalate 1 Grade Containers)/Vinyl Water bottles/Sippy-cups/Mugs Polystyrene #6/Tupperware Serving Dishes could save much more than money lately – This is just what the doctor has ordered!)

Final Thoughts

Always be informed consumer knowing Your Plastics Before making work Easy-breezy/Safe/Cost-cutting Offers — So now Health & Environment are also thanking you with every safe/green move inspired herein!

Let us know if this article helped during uncertain times/worries about risking one’s health consumption via Instagram @savourmeabouttown .

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