Classification of food grade plastics
2023-1-11
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Food grade plastics are divided into: PET (polyethylene terephthalate), HDPE (high density polyethylene), LDPE (low density polyethylene), PP (polypropylene), PS (polystyrene), PC and other classes
1. PET (polyethylene terephthalate)
Common use: mineral water bottle, carbonated beverage bottle, etc
Mineral water bottles, carbonated drink bottles are made of this material. Beverage bottles can’t be recycled with hot water, this material heat resistant to 70℃, only suitable for warm drinking or frozen drinking, loaded with high temperature liquid or heating is easy to deformation, there are harmful substances dissolve out. And scientists have found that the plastic can release carcinogens and become toxic to humans after 10 months of use.
So, when you're done, throw away your beverage bottles instead of using them as water cups or storage containers for other items that could cause health problems.
PET was originally used as a man-made fiber, film, magnetic tape, etc., and was only used in beverage bottles in 1976. The bottle made with PET has excellent hardness and toughness, light weight (only 1/9 ~ 1/15 of the glass bottle weight), easy to carry and use, less energy consumption during production, plus breathable, non-volatile, acid and alkali resistant, it is the best choice for carbonated drinks.
In recent years, it has become an important filling container for carbonated drinks, tea, juice, packaged drinking water, wine and soy sauce products. In addition, such as detergent, shampoo, food oil, condiments, sweet food, medicine, cosmetics, and alcoholic beverage packaging bottles, PET bottles have been used in large numbers.
2. HDPE (high density polyethylene)
Common use: cleaning products, bath products, etc
Plastic containers for cleaning supplies and bath products, plastic bags used in supermarkets and shopping malls are mostly made of this material, which can withstand 110℃ high temperature. Plastic bags marked for food can be used to contain food. Plastic containers containing cleaning products and bath products can be reused after careful cleaning, but these containers are usually difficult to clean, residual cleaning products, become a hotbed of bacteria, if the cleaning is not thorough, it is best not to recycle.
PE is the most widely used plastic in industry and life. It is usually divided into high density polyethylene (HDPE) and low density polyethylene (LDPE). PE has excellent resistance to acidity and alkalinity. HDPE is higher than LDPE melting point, hardness, and more resistant to corrosive liquids.
At present, plastic bags and a variety of translucent or opaque plastic bottles seen on the market are almost all made by PE, such as detergent, shampoo, shower cream, cooking oil, pesticides... Etc., most of the HDPE bottle to dress. LDPE is ubiquitous in modern life, not because of the containers it makes, but because of the plastic bags. Most plastic bags and plastic film are made of LDPE.
3. LDPE (low density polyethylene)
Common use: plastic wrap, etc
Plastic wrap, plastic film and so on are this material. Heat resistance is not strong, usually, qualified PE wrap in the temperature of more than 110℃ will appear hot melt phenomenon, will leave some plastic preparations that the human body can’t decompose. In addition, wrap the food in plastic wrap and heat it. The fat in the food is easy to dissolve the harmful substances in the plastic wrap. Therefore, the food into the microwave oven, the first to remove the wrapping film.
4. PP (polypropylene)
Common use: microwave special lunch box
The microwave lunch box is made of this material, which can withstand the high temperature of 130℃ and has poor transparency. It is the only plastic box that can be put into the microwave oven and can be reused after careful cleaning.
It should be noted in particular that some microwave lunch boxes, the box body is made of No. 05 PP, but the box lid is made of No. 06 PS (polystyrene)). PS transparency is good, but it is not resistant to high temperature, so it can’t be put into the microwave together with the box body. To be on the safe side, remove the lid from the container before putting it in the microwave.
PP and PE can be said to be two brothers, but some physical and mechanical properties are better than PE, so bottle manufacturers often use PE to manufacture the bottle body, cap and handle with greater hardness and strength of PP to manufacture.
PP melting point up to 167℃, heat resistant, products available steam disinfection is its characteristics. PP bottles, the most common are soy milk, rice milk bottles, and used to hold 100% pure juice, yogurt, juice drinks, dairy products (such as pudding), etc., larger containers, such as buckets, trash cans, laundry chutes, baskets, baskets and so on are made of PP.
5, PS (polystyrene)
Common use: bowl instant noodle box, fast food box
Used for making bowl instant noodle box, foam fast food box material. Heat-resistant and cold-resistant, but not in the microwave to avoid the release of chemicals due to excessive temperature. And can’t be used to contain strong acid (such as orange juice), strong alkaline substances, because it will decompose the human body is not good for polystyrene. Therefore, you should try to avoid packing scalding hot food in fast food boxes.
PS low water absorption, and its size stability is good, can be used in shooting die, pressing die, extrusion, hot forming processing. Generally, it is divided into two categories: foaming and unfoaming according to whether the process is "foaming" or not.
6. PC and other categories
Common use: kettle, water cup, bottle
PC is A heavily used material, especially in baby bottles and space cups, and is controversial because it contains bisphenol A. Experts point out that, in theory, as long as in the process of making PC, bisphenol A 100% converted into plastic structure, it means that the product is completely free of bisphenol A, let alone release. However, if A small amount of BPA is not converted into the plastic structure of PC, it may be released into food or drink. Therefore, take extra care when using this plastic container.
The higher the temperature of the residual bisphenol A in PC, the more and faster the release rate. Therefore, hot water should not be served in PC water bottles. If your kettle is numbered 07, the following can reduce the risk: Do not use heat, do not use direct sunlight. Clean the kettle without using the dishwasher or the dish dryer.
Before first use, wash with baking soda and warm water and dry naturally at room temperature. If the container has any fall or damage, it is recommended to stop using, because plastic products if there is a fine surface pit, easy to hide bacteria. Avoid repeated use of aging plastic appliances.