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In the changing times, we have found many options for everything for our convenience, be it our food items or other things that we need. Talking about food alternatives, there are many types of processed foods and drinks in the market today. And if we talk about utensils, earlier we used containers made of metal and used these metal containers to keep our food items. But later this option also came and we started using things made of plastic instead of metal things. And started storing food items only in plastic containers. Since plastic pots and pans are much cheaper than metal ones, we thought it best to use plastic.
Later research was done on the harm caused by the use of plastic and it was found that some plastics are made from harmful chemicals, which are very harmful to our health and harm us.
So we will give you information about which plastic is so harmful and what plastic can be used for. Along with this we will tell you which plastics should be used and under which conditions.
Some plastics can be recycled to store water or food while others contain toxins that are not suitable for storage.
Other containers may be difficult to sterilize, which may take longer to evaporate or rot. However, in general, when determining which plastics can be reused, the best rule of thumb should be that if the container is primarily used for food storage, it should contain food. It should also be safe to use again.
Let’s find out which plastic can be used where. For this consider the information given below.
, PET or PETE – This type of plastic, polyethylene terephthalate, is marked with the code number 1 inside the recycling triangle image. PET plastic is remarkably tough and has gas and moisture resistant properties. This plastic is commonly used for beverages such as soft drinks, juices and bottled water. It is also used in foods like peanut butter, pickles and salads.
• HDPE – High-density polyethylene plastic is commonly used for milk bottles, some juice containers, and laundry products. It is marked with code number 2 inside the triangle diagram. These containers can be transparent or colored and are somewhat rigid and suitable for packaging products. However, it is not suitable for use as a jug for storing milk. Although this plastic is considered food grade plastic, milk containers are difficult to clean properly and the plastic degrades over time.
Chlorine bleach containers are somewhat preferable, but if water is to be stored in these containers, they must be used for purposes other than drinking, such as washing clothes or washing dishes.
• PVC – When the term PVC (polyvinyl chloride) is used, most people think of plastic pipes. It is marked with the code number 3 inside the plastic triangle image. This plastic is used in electrical wiring enclosures and is also used in home window frames, floor tiles and siding. This plastic can be used for both food and non-food purposes. But before putting food in it, make sure that the container has not been used in industry or construction before.
• LDPE – Low density polyethylene plastic is marked with code number 4 inside the triangle diagram. This plastic is very light, so most bags are made from it, and soft and squeezable bottles for keeping mustard and honey are also made in abundance. It’s probably not a good plastic for long-term food storage. So it is not right to use more in food stores.
• PP – Polypropylene is marked with code number 5 inside the triangle diagram. This plastic can be hard and rigid or flexible. Yogurt containers, margarine tubs and medicine bottles are made from this plastic which are examples of food grade containers. Polypropylene is also used to make ice scrapers, oil funnels, pallets, and refrigerator food storage bins. It is a widely used plastic.
• Re- This is polystyrene, which is marked with the code number 6 inside the recycling triangle image. It is a rigid plastic or foam that is clear, hard and brittle. Common uses include cups, plates, cutlery, egg cartons, meat trays and compact disc jackets. Although it is widely used in packaging, it does not usually come in a container suitable for food storage. So it should not be used for food preservation.
• Other – Last category number is 7. This code means that the package is made of a resin other than the 6 plastics listed above, or a combination of two or more of them. For food and food storage, these number 7 containers are commonly found in 3 and 5 gallon water bottles/jugs, some citrus containers, and ketchup bottles.
Any type of plastic is always harmful to our health. It is another matter that some plastics are safe but they can only be used for a period of time. And there are some that are not safe at all and should not be used for food and beverage storage. Scientists are also trying to find alternatives as soon as possible, so that the damage caused by the use of plastic can be stopped.
We cannot completely stop using plastics, but we can use them less and we should use metal containers as much as possible. Or even if we use plastic, use only those plastic utensils, bottles and containers that come under ‘food grade’. Food grade plastic is the plastic that we use to keep food items, food grade plastic is very safe, so we can use it in an amount.
So let’s know what code plastic comes in food grade.
You can use plastic with code numbers 2, 4 and 5 to store food. Code number 1 can also be used, but it is meant for single use, after use, give it for recycling.
Chemicals in plastic containers with codes 3 and 7 begin to dissolve. So strictly avoid using them for food preservation. Use only environmentally friendly products.
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