In order to be classified as food-safe, plastics must meet the strictest requirements. It’s important that plastic doesn’t quickly degrade or lose integrity when exposed to certain foods. Food-grade plastic also needs to be free of any chemical additives and dyes. At high temperatures, these can leach into stored food, making it unfit for consumption.
Although food-grade plastics are an umbrella term for several types of material, all share the same general properties. Food-grade plastics offer excellent resistance against moisture, making them effective for sealing food and preventing contamination. In order to be classified as food-grade, plastics also need to be free of BPAs, chemicals, and other harmful additives. Durability is also important. As a rule, food-grade plastics need to be strong enough that they won’t degrade while storing food.
In order to be approved as FDA-compliant and suitable for food storage, plastics need to adhere to a certain set of standards outlined by the Food and Drug Administration. Commonly used plastics that are classed as FDA-compliant include high and low-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polycarbonate.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at some of the most widely used food-safe plastics currently available.
Known for its rigidity and high impact resistance, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is used to manufacture a wide range of food containers. It’s one of the most robust food-grade plastic options around, beating out other materials when it comes to things like thermal resistance.
Although durable, there are a few drawbacks that limit its use for food storage. If reused, leaching can occur, rendering contents unsafe to heat. However, it holds up well to corrosion with decent water-resistance properties, while its antimicrobial properties also make it an effective choice.
Although low-density polyethylene (LDPE) has a relatively low tensile strength compared to its high-density counterpart, it can still withstand a fair amount of strain before breaking. However, it’s best used to create flexible food packaging. As a non-rigid plastic, it’s ideal for creating loose packaging, such as plastic bags or liners.
However, LDPE isn’t the most eco-friendly of packaging solutions. It’s not readily recyclable, which makes it limiting if you’re aiming to operate more sustainably. It can, however, be reused, making it a safe choice depending on the application.
One of the most commonly used food-grade plastics is high-density polyethylene (HDPE). It’s an incredibly durable choice of material but still boasts a fairly lightweight construction. This makes it perfect for producing packaging that will keep contents safe and fit for consumption for longer, as well as a cost-effective choice as far as shipping is concerned.
HDPE holds up well against water exposure and corrosion, while its hard-wearing nature makes it easy to clean. It can also withstand exposure to particularly high temperatures. As such, there’s no worry of distortion when exposed to boiling water, making it exceptionally easy to clean.
When exposed to higher temperatures, HDPE can also be fashioned into a wide variety of shapes and forms, making it an ideal pick for all manner of packaging. It’s a fairly environmentally friendly food-grade plastic, with HDPE readily recyclable. However, any recycled HDPE needs to pass strict testing criteria before it can be granted FDA approval and rendered safe for food contact again.
Another popular choice of food-grade plastic is polypropylene. This FDA-approved plastic is a robust thermoplastic polymer that boasts an impressive melting point and handles extreme temperatures well. Because of its thermal resistance, polypropylene is a good choice for containers that need to be cleaned in a dishwasher or used in a microwave.
Polypropylene also has excellent fatigue resistance, making it a good choice for creating food storage containers with hinged lids and things like bottle tops. Its durability also means it can be reused many times before it needs to be recycled.
Not all plastics are safe for food contact and storage. Only packaging made from plastic that’s been approved by the FDA and other regulatory bodies can be classed as food-safe. To identify food-grade plastics, look for the ‘chasing arrows’ symbol on the packaging.
This symbol varies slightly depending on the exact material used, with numbers used to identify particular plastics. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), for example, has a number one surrounded by arrows. In the case of high-density polypropylene (HDPE), it’s number two surrounded by arrows.
Plastics are one of the most reliable choices of packaging for food. Incredibly durable, lightweight, and easily cleaned, food-safe plastics are both reusable and recyclable. Some plastics, such as low-density polyethylene, are known for their flexibility. This makes it easier to create specialist packaging for more specific requirements.
Food-grade plastics are also a cost-effective choice, with packaging made from these materials more affordable than other options. This makes it ideal for large-scale operations with bulk packaging requirements. Furthermore, antimicrobial properties and airtight
To ensure food safety, you’ll need to refer to the plastic number of each food-grade material. As previously mentioned, each type of plastic is given a number, which outlines the type of plastic, intended usage, and food safety credentials of each material.
Are you looking for high-quality food-grade plastics for your food packaging needs? At Codefine, you’ll find a premium range of food-safe plastic packaging solutions at affordable prices. All of our products are compliant with the latest standards set out by the GFSI, FSSC, and FDA, providing you with total peace of mind. What’s more, you can count on quality, with all of our food-grade packaging products made from 100% virgin polypropylene.
In the market for other packaging solutions? Explore our entire product range online today. In need of a quote? Get in touch with the team to discuss your requirements in more detail.
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