Expert: Hazard Identification and Prevention of Plastic Containers

Business Club August 15 News 1. Identifying Plastic Products Marking Plastic products produced by most regular manufacturers are marked on the product or on the product packaging with the letters written in the raw material composition or raw material citation.

Whether it is a simple plastic container product or a food packaging container, a recycling recycling mark (see figure) is generally printed on the container, and the number of 1 to 7 is marked in the middle of the triangle, and the initials of the raw material are also indicated. .

The triangular mark "1" indicates that the raw material is polyester (PET);

"2" indicates that the raw material is high density polyethylene (HDPE);

"3" indicates that the raw material is polyvinyl chloride (PVC);

"4" is expressed as low density polyethylene (LDPE);

"5" indicates that the raw material is polypropylene (PP);

"6" indicates that the raw material is polystyrene (PS);

"7" indicates that the raw materials are plastics other than the 1 to 6 types. Among these plastics, polycarbonate (PC) is the most widely used food.

2. Sensory identification of hazardous plastic products that smell pungent or unpalatable edible plastic products may have safety issues.

Some kitchen utensils' plastic fittings (such as pan handles) will emit unpleasant odors when they encounter high temperatures. This type of material is also toxic. Excessive inhalation can also harm human health. There are also some poor quality electric plastic kettles that can also produce unpleasant odors when heated and boiled. This type of plastic pot is also unsafe to the human body.

3. The correct use of plastic utensils in various plastic containers and appliances also presents potential safety hazards, with particular attention to the following points.

(1) Avoid the use of plastic food and kitchen utensils produced by informal manufacturers.

There are many low-quality plastic products on the market that often do not clearly indicate the scope of application, and avoid using such containers to store hot foods, especially liquid foods and foods with large oil content. Because heat and oil promote the dissolution of harmful ingredients and contaminate food.

(2) The use of regular manufacturers of microwave ovens for plastic appliances.

Plastic containers for microwave ovens should be translucent, colorless, and high temperature resistant. Microwave heating foods with high water content can be used PP plastic containers; heating foods containing more oil, food, you should use more temperature resistant PC containers; if heating non-liquid food, should not use any plastic containers.

It is best to use a microwave oven to heat the food, preferably using a glass container or porcelain without any dye.

(3) Avoid using non-heat-resistant containers for hot foods.

Some containers of plastic bottles will become soft and deformed when exposed to heat. Do not attempt to use such containers to contain hot food. Although such plastics are safe at normal temperatures, they can decompose and release harmful components at high temperatures. It is common for someone to put hot water and hot tea into mineral water bottles or beverage bottles. This practice has certain health hazards.