Is Polyethylene Food Safe

If you plan to store food in plastic buckets it s very important that the buckets be made out of the right material and be designed for food storage.

Is polyethylene food safe.

Look for the label. Safe avoid what and why. Pet or pete polyethylene terephthalate clear strong and lightweight plastic that makes it a good option for storing water and food even for the long term. Fortunately it s easy to identify a food grade bucket.

Like pet hdpe is a frequently used safe plastic container. Food grade plastic is a popular choice for food processing packaging and storing thanks to its sturdiness and the ease with which it can be cleaned and sanitized. How do we know the plastic used in food packaging is safe and not toxic. A food safe plastic resin has been certified approved safe for contact with food by the food and drug administration fda.

Food and drug administration fda regulates the safety of all plastics currently used in food packaging and food contact materials. 2 hdpe high density polyethylene hdpe plastic is the stiff plastic used to make milk jugs detergent and oil bottles toys and some plastic bags. To use less pet plastic consider switching to reusable beverage containers and replacing disposable food packaging with reusable alternatives. Used to produce polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins bpa is found in many drinking containers the lining of most food and beverage cans including soda cans bottle caps plastic cutlery.

Whether you re preparing food and beverages for the masses or storing them in your own home using food grade and food safe materials will help ensure that the products are safe for consumption. The fda defines a food contact substance as being any substance that is to be used in materials created for manufacturing packing packaging holding and transporting foods. A food grade bucket or container might also be specifically marked as usda. These plastics are known as food contact substances fcs.

Check the symbol and number on the bottom to make sure it s made out of a plastic that is safe for food. A list of these approved substances can be found in fda s database. The common 5 gallon bucket. The fda defines food contact substances as any substance that is intended for use as a component of materials used in manufacturing packing packaging transporting or holding food.

If the bucket is considered food grade it is typically marketed as such and labeled food grade food safe etc. Hdpe products are safe and are not known to transmit any chemicals into foods or drinks making this plastic a low health risk variety according to chemical safety facts. It s denoted by a number 1 on plastic containers. They re made of 2 hdpe.