What are food contact materials?
The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) is a federal agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. They are responsible for determining which materials can be used in direct contact with food. Materials that meet food contact safety specifications are FDA compliant, which is the official term for what is considered "food grade". The quality and composition of these materials are such that they are safe for contact with food - the FDA has inspected them and they will not adversely harm or affect the color, odor, or taste of the food they come in contact with.The FDA also refers to food-grade materials as Food Contact Substances, or FCS for short.FCS/food-grade materials must be used when a material comes in contact with, or is used in, a food.
What plastics are approved by the FDA as food contact materials?
1. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
PET resin is widely used in food contact plastics, from the ubiquitous 2-liter soda bottle to salad dressing bottles to peanut butter jars. The vast majority of single-serve bottles are made from PET. Specially treated PET containers are microwaveable and can be used for take-out containers and disposable food trays.
The FDA has approved virgin and post-consumer recycled (PCR) PET for food contact. The resin has been thoroughly studied to see the negative health effects and has not caused any adverse effects. According to a basic study, " PET itself is biologically inert if ingested, safe to the skin during handling, and non-hazardous if inhaled."
PET resin is stable. This means that it does not degrade in contact with food or drink, resists corrosion and repels microorganisms. These qualities make it ideal for food contact.
2. Polypropylene (PP)
Polypropylene is a widely used plastic. You probably have polypropylene plastic in your refrigerator and cupboards now: it is commonly used in reusable food storage containers. It is also the resin used to make yogurt containers and other disposable water containers.
PP plastics are approved for food contact. They are inert materials that pose no health risk to consumers.The FDA has approved recycled polypropylene as food safe since 2013.
Polypropylene's high melting point makes it suitable for use in microwaveable food containers. It is non-volatile and does not react with liquids, acids, or bases, making it ideal for storing a wide variety of foods.
3. High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)
HDPE is the most common household plastic. There are many HDPE plastic bottles in grocery stores, juice aisles, and milk cartons.HDPE is also used in butter containers, cereal box liners, and large food buckets, such as those used to supply school cafeterias and restaurants.
Virgin HDPE is a safe food contact plastic. the FDA has been sanctioning recycled HDPE on a case-by-case food basis for more than 20 years.
HDPE resin produces a plastic that is corrosion-resistant and absorbs very little moisture, making it ideal for storing beverages. Also, HDPE containers do not leach chemicals into them.
4. Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE)
LDPE plastics are similar to HDPE plastics but are known for being less rigid. They are popular in squeeze bottles, such as for ketchup and mustard. Plastic film, such as that used to wrap commercial baked goods and meats; and six-pack rings.
Virgin LDPE resin is safe for food contact. While recycled LDPE/PP blends have been approved for use by the FDA for food contact on 2 occasions, materials made from 100% PCR LDPE resin will not be removed for food contact.
LDPE has good chemical resistance, high impact strength and strong abrasion resistance. Like PET and HDPE plastics, LDPE can hold food without leaching out any harmful substances or allowing microbial penetration.
5. Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is commonly used in water cooling bottles, baby bottles and reusable water containers.
Over the past few years, there has been much discussion about the food safety of polycarbonate because of the presence of bisphenol A (BPA) in the resin. BPA is rumored to be harmful to health. It has been extensively tested because of the public scrutiny it has received. The average consumer intake of BPA is very low and the chemical does not accumulate in the body. At these low levels, there is no health risk and the FDA considers it safe for food contact. Some manufacturers have substituted FDA-approved copolyesters to provide clear BPA-free containers.