At WIZIO we use Food Grade Bottles | Plastic Bottle vs. Food-Grade Bottle
What is Plastic?
Plastic is a versatile, moldable material made from long chains of molecules called polymers, derived from natural resources like oil, gas, and cellulose, or synthetically created, characterized by its ability to be shaped into diverse solid forms, offering properties like durability, lightness, and flexibility, making it essential in everything from packaging to electronics.
What is Food Grade Plastic?
Food-grade plastic is a special plastic safe for direct contact with food, manufactured to strict standards, meaning it doesn't leach harmful chemicals, toxins, or dyes into food and prevents contamination, often made from virgin materials and identified by resin codes like #2 (HDPE), #4 (LDPE), and #5 (PP). These plastics are used for everything from food processing equipment to packaging and containers, ensuring safety through rigorous testing by bodies like the FDA.
Plastic Bottle vs. Food-Grade Bottle
- "Plastic bottle" is a general term for any container made from various types of plastic, such as PET, HDPE, or PP. These can be used for many applications (industrial chemicals, cleaning agents, etc.), and not all general-use plastic bottles are safe for human consumption.
- "Food-grade bottle" specifically refers to a bottle manufactured from PET resin that has been certified as safe for contact with food and beverages by regulatory bodies like the FDA
A "plastic keyword" refers to terms used to describe types of plastics (like PET, HDPE, PVC, PP), their properties (polymer, moldable, durable, synthetic), recycling codes (numbers 1-7), or related concepts like plastic pollution, manufacturing, and sustainability, crucial for searching, understanding materials, and environmental discussions. Key terms include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polypropylene (PP), and the recycling symbol's numbers, often related to their uses in bottles, packaging, or industrial goods.
What Does Food Grade Mean in Plastics?
Food-grade plastic has to meet regulations. It can’t contain dyes, additives, or any harmful products. Food-safe plastic can contain recycled materials, but these must fit appropriate guidelines. The FDA is responsible for determining how materials may act when in contact with food.
FDA-Approved Plastics: Food-Safe Plastic Containers for Storage
These are the food-safe plastic containers that the FDA has deemed appropriate for safe food storage:
- High-density polyethylene (HDPE plastic)
- Low-density polyethylene (LDPE plastic)
- Polyethylene terephthalate (PET/PETE)
- Food-grade polypropylene (PP)
- Polycarbonate (PC)
- Acrylic
- Nylon
Is HDPE Food Safe?
Many plastic containers are HDPE safe. This is because they contain chemical-resistant properties. HPDE food-safe containers do not harm the user. They provide resistance to mold, mildew, and corrosion.
Plastic Safety: Is LDPE Food Safe?
Thinner resins and rigid applications use a tough material that is chemical resistant. This prevents toxins from leaching into food, meaning that LDPE is food safe. It ranks at a 4 on the recycling number chart. LDPE safety includes products such as bread bags, six-pack rings, and produce bags.
Is PET Plastic Food Safe?
Polyethylene terephthalate has great wear resistance, strength, and stability. PET plastic safety is ensured by this. Food-grade PET items include single-serve beverage bottles, vitamin bottles, and condiment bottles.
These include plastic bottles that are safe for one-time usage. They’re safe when used only once, but they become unsafe and leak toxins if re-used or stored in the sun.
So, Is Polyethylene Toxic?
Polyethylene is generally safe and non toxic. Polyethylene food safety involves not leaving these containers in hot places. Otherwise, UV rays can break them down and be dangerous. These plastics should also never be re-used since polystyrene food containers are known to give off dangerous levels of BPA.
Is Polypropylene Safe as a Food Grade Plastic?
Polypropylene fabric is used for many applications, including bale wrap, pallet sheets, and reinforcements. It is a very durable material that is also chemical resistant. Due to its high heat resistance, polypropylene safety is very high.
Polypropylene food-safe containers include medication bottles, dairy containers, and food storage boxes. Propylene food safety is made possible by its high heat tolerance, which ensures the plastics will not leak toxins when breaking down.
This plastic also has excellent thermal resistance, making it safe for use in the microwave and dishwasher. PP plastic is safe for food storage as well.
Is Polycarbonate Food Safe & FDA Compliant?
Food grade polycarbonate is very strong and much more impact resistant than glass. Its heat resistance allows it to be FDA compliant for food storage. But, is polycarbonate safe? Yes, it is a material that has high impact resistance and is very safe.
Polycarbonates are safe for food storage and are often used for:
- Water-cooler bottles
- Baby bottles
- Reusable water containers
They’re also used to make bullet-proof plastic, ensuring it is a very durable material.
Bioplastics are also included under rank 7 and are non-reactive and may be used to store food safely. Even so, it’s been shown to have levels of BPA in the resin but after testing, the BPA levels were too low for BPA to accumulate in the body.
Is Acrylic Food Safe?
If you’re wondering, “is acrylic safe for food?” Acrylic food safety is high as it is a strong material and used instead of glass containers. They are FDA approved for contact with food but acrylic food-safe containers should not be microwaved or heated as they do not have high heat resistance.
Is Nylon Food Safe?
Nylon is food-safe and a very common thermoplastic material. It’s properties allow it to replace steel, brass, wood, and rubber and is FDA-compliant since it doesn’t leach chemical properties into food when cooking.
Nylon products include cooking utensils such as spatulas, whisks, and tongs as they have high heat abrasion. But, does nylon have BPA? Nylon does not contain BPA and is ranked 7 on the resin identification code.
What about Food Grade Plastic Bottles?
Food safe plastic bottles include code numbers 2,4, and 5 for storage as they are food grade. Code number 1 is safe for single-use. If re-used, they become dangerous.
Are HDPE bottles safe, though? They are, and they rank as 2 and are safe for food storage.
Are PP bottles safe? They rank at 6 and aren’t the best choice as they leak poisonous gasses when heated. Bottles ranked at 3 and 7 should be avoided when storing food as they leak chemicals into the food. They are also dangerous when heated.
