If you want to manufacture plastic food packaging, you must know which plastics are food safe. Food safety plastic resin is a plastic resin approved by the food and Drug Administration (FDA) to come into contact with food. They are called food contact substances (FCS). Now, what is food grade plastic? Which plastics meet FDA standards?

01

What is food grade plastic?

"Food grade plastics" is defined as food safety plastics. The term refers to any plastic suitable for contact with expendable food or beverage products. Since some acidic foods or liquids will leach chemicals from containers, it is very important to store them in appropriate containers.

The food, drug and Cosmetic Act passed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) defines food contact substances as substances used in food manufacturing, packaging, packaging, storage and transportation applications, without the risk of technical effects in food materials. The "technical effect" mentioned in this definition includes leaching, which will affect the taste of food and beverages and pose a potential risk to human health when eating the affected materials.

02

Which plastics meet FDA standards?

High density polyethylene

HDPE is a common household plastic, which is used to make beverage bottles, butter containers, grain box liners and thick food storage barrels. Recycled HDPE is reviewed by FDA on a case by case basis because it sometimes becomes unsafe during the recycling process.

low density polyethylene

LDPE is similar to HDPE, but it is often not so hard, making it very suitable for squeezing bottles or plastic films, such as plastic wrap, six bottle rings, etc. It has chemical resistance, repels microorganisms, and will not leach harmful toxins when used to store food at various temperatures. However, in the recycled state, food contact is considered unsafe.

polycarbonate

Although people are worried about bisphenol A (BPA) in polycarbonate resin, FDA has conducted a lot of research and concluded that the intake of BPA from plastics is very low and has no obvious negative impact on health. There are also specific FDA approved polycarbonate sheets that can be used in a variety of food applications, from hospital trays to water bottles.

Polyethylene terephthalate

Any plastic cans and beverage containers in your home are likely to be made of pet. This material is used in 2-liter soda bottles, peanut butter cans, salad sauce containers, etc. Although many plastics only meet FDA standards in their original (or unrecycled) state and are food safe, recycled PET is FDA approved plastic for food contact. It can also repel microorganisms and will not corrode, making it an ideal material for food and beverage contact and storage.

Polypropylene (polypropylene)

Polypropylene is commonly used in single serving containers such as yogurt cups, but it also appears in reusable containers that can store leftovers. In addition to being one of the FDA approved food contact materials, it is also microwave safe and non-volatile, which means that it will not react with any type of food you store in it, whether acidic, alkaline or liquid.