Plastic Packaging and Containers are Safe to Use
Monday, August 11, 2008 at 12:51PM For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE
Plastics Packaging and Containers are Safe to Use
Petaling Jaya, 16 July 2007…The Malaysian Plastics Forum (MPF), in the interest of the public, today held a press conference to clarify recent media reports on the usage and safety of plastic products.
At the press conference, MPF’s Chairman, Mr Lim Kok Boon, highlighted the following:
1. Plastic Bags are Safe for Storing Hot Drinks
In Malaysia, High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bags are used for packing hot and cold beverages.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates food, drugs and beverage packaging in the United States (US) and is also the leading and most influential regulatory body in the world, allows the use of HDPE plastics based on data from years of research and testing. HDPE complies with the requirements of US FDA Regulations under Code 21 CFR177.1520(c) 3.2a, for use in articles used for packing or holding food during cooking and including packing of hot food and drinks. HDPE also complies with the Malaysian Food Act 1983 and Malaysian Food Regulations 1985.
Mr Lim Kok Boon also added that on 13 November 2006, in an article published by a local Malay newspaper, the Ministry of Health was quoted as saying that there was no evidence that indicates that HDPE bags can cause the malfunction of human endocrine and hormone system.
2. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Mineral Water Bottles can be Reused
MPF wishes to state that based on scientific evidence, the US FDA has determined that PET is safe for use as beverage bottles and other food packaging applications, both for single use and repeated use.
Given the need to exercise prudence and safety in view of the knowledge that such bottles are subjected to repeated use, PET has become the material of choice for bottled beverages as the material has been extensively tested to meet standards for food–contact materials. PET is subjected to the US FDA’s review and regulations before it is allowed to be used as a packaging material for bottled beverages, including mineral water.
In a report by the American Plastics Council (APC), the organisation stated that as part of FDA’s review on the migration potential of plastics and substances with which they are made, scientific tests conducted established that there is a minimal amount of transfer between a plastic packaging and the food it contains and that any transfer does not pose a risk to human health.
3. Expandable Polystyrene (EPS) Containers Safe for Hot Food and Drinks
EPS comes in many shapes and forms and has excellent thermal insulating ability. It keeps hot food hot and cold food cold, while you hold the package in comfort.
All packaging (glass, aluminum, paper and plastics – including EPS) contains substances that can migrate or transfer to food or beverages. FDA regulates residual levels of these components in food packaging to ensure that packaging is safe to use.
The Plastics Food Service Packaging Group that works closely with the Styrene Information and Research Centre (SIRC), in a report, confirms that EPS meets stringent US FDA standards for use in food contact packaging and is safe for consumers. Health organisations
encourage the use of single-use food service products, including EPS, because they provide increased food safety.
At the press conference, Mr Lim Kok Boon highlighted that the Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association (JHOSPA) confirms that EPS resins can be safely used as components of articles intended for use in contact with food. In addition, Mr Lim also said that EPS foam box is safe and has been certified under the Malaysian Food Act 1983 (Act 281) and Regulations by SIRIM QAS International Sdn Bhd.
4. Plastics and the Microwave
From cold storage to reheating, different plastics serve different purposes in the kitchen. Many of today’s plastic containers and wraps are specially designed to withstand the high temperatures that can be generated in the microwave oven.
Under the food additive provisions of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, new substances used to make plastics for food use are classified as “food contact substances”. The US FDA considers the amount of substance expected to migrate into food and the toxicological concerns about the particular chemical. The agency has accessed migration levels of substances added to regulated plastics and has found the levels to be well within the margins of safety.
In the case of media attention given to Diethylhexyl Adipate (DEHA), which is a plasticizer, a substance added to some plastics to make them flexible, it has been found that DEHA exposure may occur when eating certain foods wrapped in plastics, but the levels are very low. The levels of the plasticizer that might be consumed as a result of plastic film used are well below the levels showing no toxic effect.
On claims that plastics contain dioxins by the Environmental Protection Agency, the FDA has seen no evidence that plastic containers or films contain dioxins.
Generally, microwave-safe plastic wraps, wax paper, cooking bags, parchment paper, and white microwave-safe paper towels are safe to use. Covering food helps protect against contamination, keeps moisture in, and allows food to cook evenly.
In conclusion, consumers can continue to use these products with confidence provided that labeling instructions are adhered to.
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Background Sheet
About MPF
The Malaysian Plastics Forum (MPF) is a joint collaboration between three industry associations, namely, the Malaysian Petrochemicals Association (MPA), the Plastics Resins Producers Group (PRPG) and the Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA). The MPF’s objectives are to create awareness and education on plastics, disseminate factual information on safety and trends on the use of plastics and to drive the 3Rs concept for plastics which is reduce, reuse and recycle.
About MPA-PRPG
PRPG is a sub-group of MPA, which was established in year 1997 to meet the wide and varied needs of member companies in the petrochemical industry. Its main objectives are to provide an effective vehicle for dialogues between the Government and the plastic resins industry. Currently, MPA-PRPG membership strength consists of 10 plastic resins producers.
About MPMA
The Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA), established in 1967, is a progressive trade association providing leadership and quality service to its members and the plastics industry. MPMA is the official voice of the Malaysian plastics industry, representing its members and the industry in Government interaction, spearheading the plastics industry’s growth and providing the platform to assist members to be globally competitive.
MPMA currently has about 900 members comprising Ordinary members, which represent about 60 percent of plastics manufacturers in the country and account for 80 percent of the country’s total production of plastic products.
For more information, please contact:
DORENE DEVADAS
Executive, Environment
Malaysian Plastics Manufacturers Association (MPMA)
37, Jalan 20/14
Paramount Garden
46300 Petaling Jaya
Selangor
Tel: (603) 7876 3027 Fax: (603) 7876 8352
Email: dorene@mpma.org.my URL: www.mpma.org.my
Downloads (PDF)
American Plastics Council - Safety of PET Bottles
EMPA - Test Report, Migration of Organic Components from PET bottles to Water
ILSI - PET for Food Packaging Applications
Plastics Europe - Update on Current Status of Antimony Catalysts in PET
MPI - Soft Drinks Bottle Product Specs
MPI - Mineral Water Bottle Product Specs
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