Is There a Replacement for Polycarbonate for Food Contact? (2024)

FAQs

Is There a Replacement for Polycarbonate for Food Contact? ›

Polyethylene and polypropylene are still the safest bets but if you absolutely need a crystal clear container, this is the best option and is an excellent replacement for polycarbonate. It should be noted that the FDA considers copolyester safe for use in food and water contact applications.

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)

While Polycarbonate is technically not FDA-approved or food-safe, there are grades that are FDA-approved and compliant. As plastics have increasingly become a dominant part of our food packaging and storage solutions, food processing facilities also incorporate them into their assembly lines.

4. When you do use plastics, look for these resin codes which are considered safer: #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #5 PP. Examples of #2 HDPE (high density polyethylene) include: bottled milk, water and juice, yogurt cups, and some plastic bags.

FDA considers acrylic to be food safe. You can find acrylic serving platters and such in stores.

Not all polycarbonate plastics contain BPA, but nearly three-quarters of the BPA used in the United States in 2003 went into the manufacture of this one material. The hard, nearly shatterproof plastic is widely used in drinking bottles, baby bottles, and non-food uses ranging from eyeglasses to labware.

A common concern is about heating food in plastic containers in a microwave. Can it cause cancer? The fear is related to the release of dioxins in food, but they are not inherent components of plastics. Instead, dioxins form during the combustion of waste materials such as plastics, metals, wood, and other substances.

Bisphenol A (BPA) can leach out from polycarbonate baby bottles, sippy cups, and infant formula packaging into baby food. Other toxic materials such as bisphenol F, bisphenol S, or phthalate can also leach out from BPA-free plasticware.

Small amounts of BPA may remain in polycarbonate products and epoxy linings after curing, and be released into food and beverages. Canned foods and liquids stored or heated in polycarbonate containers and epoxy-lined cans appear to be the main source of exposure to BPA.

But when it comes to food packaging, not all plastics are created equal. To that end, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has established guidelines for safe, direct contact with food. In order to be considered "food grade," a plastic must meet the safety requirements of the types of food it comes into contact with.

How do you know if plastic is food grade? ›

You should see the classic recycling symbol with a number inside of it. Generally, food grade plastics will be labeled with either 1, 2, 4, or 5. These refer to polyethylene terephthalate (PET or PETE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), and polypropylene (PP), respectively.

PET or PETE — This type of plastic, polyethylene terephthalate is listed as number 1 inside the recycling triangle diagram. PET plastic is clear, tough and has gas and moisture barrier properties. This plastic is commonly used for beverages such as soft drinks, juices and bottled water.

Is plexiglass acrylic safe for food handling ? - Yes. Plexiglass acrylic is commonly used for food handling and display purposes. Plexiglass is FDA compliant.

Are There Food Grade Polycarbonates? Food grade polycarbonate does indeed exist! A&C Plastics carries FDA-approved polycarbonate sheet that is cleared for food preparation. This food grade plastic is commonly used in candy molds, hospital trays, serving bowls and more.

Is Polycarbonate Toxic? Most polycarbonate plastics used today are not toxic. Non-food-grade polycarbonates are considered hazardous when they come in contact with food due to the release of BPA during degradation when in contact with water. In the past, most polycarbonates were made by a combination of BPA and COCl2.

High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Virgin HDPE is a safe plastic for food contact. The FDA has sanctioned recycled HDPE for food contact on a case-by-case basis for over 20 years. HDPE resin produces plastic that is corrosion-resistant and absorbs little moisture, making it well-suited for storing beverages.

Of the commercial plastics on the market today, polypropylene is considered one of the safest. It's FDA-approved for food contact, so you'll find polypropylene in food containers like those that hold yogurt, cream cheese, and butter products.

As a general rule, the most common plastics for food storage are made from number 1, PET or PETE, or number 7, a combination of any of the plastics above.