Omar Khalid
Plastics are everywhere, and it is nearly impossible to avoid them. However, many plastics contain harmful chemicals that can leach into food and drinks, increasing exposure to substances linked to various health issues. These chemicals may be intentionally added to enhance flexibility or act as flame retardants, or they may be contaminants from recycled plastic feedstock. To minimize potential health risks, it is recommended to reduce plastic use, especially around food, and opt for alternative materials like glass, stainless steel, or lead-free ceramic. When it comes to plastic types, numbers 2, 4, and 5 are generally considered safe for food storage, while numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7 should be used with caution or avoided due to their potential to leach toxic chemicals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic numbers to avoid | 1, 3, 6, 7 |
| Plastic numbers considered safe | 2, 4, 5 |
| Plastic numbers to be cautious about | 1, 3, 6, 7 |
| Plastic numbers safe for food storage | 2, 4, 5 |
| Plastic number safe for single use | 1 |
| Plastic number to avoid for storing food | 3, 6, 7 |
| Plastic number to avoid for fatty or acidic foods | All plastics |
| Plastic number to be cautious of when heating food | 4, 6 |
| Plastic number that leaks poisonous gases when heated | 6 |
| Plastic number with health effects depending on chemical makeup | 7 |
| Plastic number including BPA | 7 |
| Plastic number including PVC | 3 |
| Plastic number including PC | 7 |
| Plastic number with many chemical byproducts | 3 |
| Plastic number considered least recyclable | 7 |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic #3: Harmful byproducts include styrene, which can affect the respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems
- Plastic #7: Includes new plastics, bioplastics, and items made from multiple plastics. It contains highly dangerous BPA
- Plastic #1: Safe for single-use but keep out of direct sunlight and heat
- Plastic #6: Avoid using
- Plastic #2, #4, #5: Generally considered safe for food storage
Plastic #3: Harmful byproducts include styrene, which can affect the respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems
Plastic is everywhere, and it is almost impossible to escape it in modern consumer life. However, it is important to understand the potential harm of the different types of plastics. Plastic #3, or PVC, is one of the most toxic and hardest-to-recycle plastics. The manufacturing, disposal, and destruction of this type of plastic create harmful byproducts, including styrene, which can affect the respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems.
Styrene is a chemical that can leach from polystyrene, which is made up of multiple styrene molecules. Long-term exposure to harmful amounts of styrene can have negative effects on the body. The US Department of Health and Human Services identifies styrene as "reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen," and reports that styrene exposure is linked to "increased risks for leukemia, lymphoma, or all lymphohematopoietic cancer." One of the greatest sources of styrene exposure is from eating food contaminated by styrene. The amount of styrene that leaches into food depends on the time the food is in contact with polystyrene, the surface area of contact, and the type and temperature of the food (with higher temperatures and higher-fat foods leading to more styrene contamination).
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) warns that prolonged or regular exposure to styrene can lead to negative effects on the central nervous system, with symptoms such as depression, headaches, fatigue, and weakness. Styrene production and disposal also disproportionately harm vulnerable communities, particularly low-income communities and communities of color, which are more likely to be located near production and disposal sites. These communities are already overburdened by pollution and bear the additional burden of increased cancer and respiratory risks due to air pollution.
To minimize exposure to harmful chemicals and potential health risks, it is recommended to avoid using plastic #3 for food storage and to reduce overall plastic use. When possible, replace plastic with glass or metal, especially for storing and preparing food.
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Plastic #7: Includes new plastics, bioplastics, and items made from multiple plastics. It contains highly dangerous BPA
Plastic #7 is a category that includes "everything else" that does not fall under the other recycling codes. This means that it includes new plastics, bioplastics, and items made from multiple types of plastics.
The health effects of #7 plastics depend on their chemical makeup, which varies due to their diverse nature. Some #7 plastics contain Bisphenol A (BPA), a highly dangerous chemical. According to a 2023 mouse study, BPA is a potential endocrine disruptor with potentially harmful effects on the immune, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. It has also been linked to obesity, cancer, and endocrine problems in fetuses and children.
BPA is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics, which are hard, clear (or clear-tinted), and unbreakable. These plastics have been used since the 1960s to make products like reusable water bottles, food storage containers, drinking glasses, pitchers, baby bottles, and sippy cups.
To identify if a plastic item contains BPA, you can look for the recycling symbol with the number 7. However, not all plastics with the number 7 contain BPA, so further investigation is needed. Look for labels indicating that the container is unbreakable or microwave-safe, as these are good indicators that it contains BPA. If the container is hand-wash only, it is likely made of acrylic and is BPA-free.
It is important to note that new plastics are often BPA-free and labeled accordingly. Still, it is best to avoid or minimise the use of plastic around food whenever possible and opt for alternative materials like glass to reduce potential health risks.
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Plastic #1: Safe for single-use but keep out of direct sunlight and heat
Plastic is everywhere, from food containers to packaging. While it is difficult to escape plastic in modern life, it is important to understand the potential harm of the different types of plastics.
Plastics are labelled with recycling codes, usually found on the bottom of the container, ranging from 1 to 7. These recycling codes indicate the type of plastic and its potential for being recycled. Plastic #1, also known as PET or PETE, is generally considered safe for single-use only. This type of plastic is commonly used in water and beverage bottles, food jars, containers, salad dressing and oil bottles, mouthwash bottles, and cleaning product containers.
While plastic #1 is relatively safe, it is important to keep it out of direct sunlight and heat. When exposed to sunlight or high temperatures, plastic #1 can start to break down and leach toxins. For example, when heated, plastic #1 containers can release carcinogens, such as antimony trioxide, into their contents. Therefore, it is recommended to keep plastic #1 containers away from heat sources and direct sunlight to prevent the potential leaching of harmful chemicals.
Additionally, plastic #1 containers should not be reused for storing food or liquids. The porous surface of plastic #1 allows bacteria and flavours to accumulate, making it unsafe for reuse. Instead, these containers should be recycled through most curbside recycling programs.
Overall, while plastic #1 is considered safe for single-use, it is important to follow the guidelines of keeping it out of direct sunlight and heat to maintain its safety profile.
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Plastic #6: Avoid using
Plastic #6, also known as polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam, is a type of plastic that should be avoided or at least reused due to its negative impact on the environment and human health.
Firstly, plastic #6 is challenging to recycle and is only accepted by specific recycling facilities. Even when it is recycled, it is often sorted with other low-value plastics, melted down, and repurposed as a #7 "other" plastic or burned as fuel. This process of recycling #6 plastic into #7 plastic is not widely practiced or available everywhere. The widespread use and disposal of #6 plastic contribute to environmental pollution, as it breaks up easily and ends up in the environment, with tiny pieces found on beaches and in marine creatures.
Secondly, #6 plastic is harmful to human health. It contains styrene, which can leach when heated, causing potential health risks. Long-term exposure to styrene can affect the respiratory, nervous, and gastrointestinal systems. It is also considered carcinogenic, meaning it can cause cancer.
To reduce the negative impact of #6 plastic, it is important to avoid or minimize its use whenever possible. This can be done by choosing alternative materials, such as glass, metal, or bamboo, for food storage and consumption. Additionally, saying no to disposable containers, packaging, and products made from #6 plastic, such as Styrofoam and some hard plastics, can help reduce their environmental and health impacts.
Overall, by understanding the potential harm of #6 plastic and making conscious choices to avoid or reduce its use, we can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for ourselves and the planet.
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Plastic #2, #4, #5: Generally considered safe for food storage
Plastic is everywhere, and it seems almost impossible to escape it in the modern consumer world. However, it is important to understand the potential harm of the elements of different plastics. While plastic should be used minimally around food, some plastics are considered safer than others for food storage.
Plastics with recycling codes #2, #4, and #5 are generally considered safe for food storage. These plastics are FDA-approved and are used for a variety of food storage purposes.
#2 plastic, or High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), is a durable and lightweight plastic that is often used for milk jugs and grocery bags. It is also used for food packaging, such as peanut butter jars and salad dressing containers. HDPE is considered safe for food storage and is one of the most commonly used plastics for household food packaging.
#4 plastic, or Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), has a lower tensile strength than HDPE, making it more flexible. It is often used for bread and sandwich bags and is easily reusable. LDPE is also considered safe for food storage.
#5 plastic, or Polypropylene (PP), is an FDA-approved food contact plastic with a high melting point. It is used for single-serve items like yoghurt cups and syrup packets and can withstand extreme temperatures in the microwave and dishwasher. PP is also used for reusable containers that can safely store leftovers. It is lightweight, flexible, and resistant to breaking, making it a popular choice for food storage.
While #2, #4, and #5 plastics are considered safe for food storage, it is important to remember that all plastic products can potentially leach toxic chemicals when heated or damaged. Therefore, it is recommended to minimise the use of plastic around food and opt for other materials like glass, stainless steel, or ceramic containers when possible.
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Frequently asked questions
Plastics ranked 3, 6, and 7 should be avoided when storing food as they are known to leach chemicals into the food. Plastics ranked 2, 4, and 5 are considered safe for food storage.
It is recommended to avoid using plastic around food in general. When possible, replace plastic with glass, metal, bamboo, or other reusable materials to minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals.
Plastic ranked 3, also known as PVC or vinyl, is commonly found in consumer products like shower curtains, toys, and packaging.
Plastic ranked 7 includes new plastics, bioplastics, and items composed of different types of plastics. It also includes polycarbonate (PC), which contains highly dangerous BPA.
