What Are The Safe Plastic Numbers For Food?

I don’t remember having much plastic around when I was growing up, especially in the kitchen. Groceries were wrapped in paper. Milk came in glass bottles (that we collected and took to a recycling center afterwards). Alternatively, we would bring our own glass or metal containers for milk or sour cream in bulk. The same was true about bringing our own cotton cloth bags for grains, flour, and sugar. Those few clear plastic bags that found their way into the kitchen were carefully washed, hung on a rope to dry, and reused. Even soda vending machines included glass drinkware for multiple public use after a rinse. It may sound unsafe now, but who is to say that drinking a beverage out of a single-serve plastic cup is safer?

Nowadays, plastic is ubiquitous. While it provides convenience in food storage and beverage bottles, concerns about its safety arise due to potential leaching of toxic chemicals. Indeed, the most common raw materials used to manufacture plastic are crude oil and natural gas. On top of that, to create specific textures, colors, clarity, durability, flexibility, and heat and light resistance manufacturers use chemical additives, many of which are highly toxic. Hence, understanding the safe plastic numbers designated for storing food can help you make informed decisions. Therefore, in this post, you will learn about recycling numbers of various plastic types to know which plastic is food safe and which plastic it is best to avoid.

What Are The Safe Plastic Numbers For Food?

To begin, chemical additives are necessary in plastic production because they give certain properties to plastic. Thus, one of the additives used as a plasticizer is Bisphenol A (BPA), also used to line metal cans. (See if BPA-free metal cans are safe for you.)

There are many reasons to avoid BPA. For one, BPA acts as an endocrine disruptor, interfering with the body’s hormone system and producing adverse effects on the body’s developmental, reproductive, neurological, and immune systems. You can learn more about research into BPA in my blog post Are Plastic Water Bottles Safe?.

Because BPA is notorious and not FDA-approved in baby bottles, you can see “BPA-free” claims on products. However, manufacturers must replace BPA with another chemical that performs the same function, allowing plastic to become stiff and clear. The problem is that BPA substitutes, such as Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF), are just as harmful and have endocrine-disrupting effects (source and source).

What about plastic that does not contain BPA, BPS or BPF – is it safe? 

Is BPA, BPS, And BPF-Free Plastic Safe?

Well, in 2011, George Bittner, a Stanford-educated professor of neurobiology and the founder of CertiChem lab, tested all types of commercially available plastics. He concluded that almost all plastics he tested leached synthetic estrogen, which is one of the main problems with BPA (source).

Further, in this study, researchers performed migration experiments for over 10 days at 40°C (104°F) using 24 everyday plastic products. They found that between 1% and 88% of the chemicals in these plastic products were migrating into water. In fact, more than 4,000 chemicals are associated with plastic packaging. The scientists concluded that plastic readily leaches chemicals, some of which are toxic, in vitro.

Moreover, in this analysis, using a special technique, researchers tested drinking water from single-use plastic bottles, glass bottles, and beverage cartons. They discovered small (50-500 μm) and very small (1-50 μm) microplastic fragments in every type of drinking water.

Furthermore, a 2018 study concluded that Fluorene-9-bisphenol (BHPF) used in BPA-free plastic water bottles exhibited strong anti-estrogenic activity in mice.

Of course, in a perfect world, there would be no plastic. In this world, however, there are many plastic products you can’t avoid. What you can do is learn about the types of plastic to minimize your exposure to the most harmful ones.

Understanding Plastic Types

Technically speaking, plastics are synthetic materials derived from organic polymers, primarily composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. The process of plastic production involves polymerization of monomers into long chains to form various types of plastics. Based on its chemical composition and properties, each plastic type has distinct characteristics suited for different applications, including food storage.

What helps differentiate between the plastic types are resin identification codes, commonly found on the bottom of plastic containers. These codes allow consumers to understand the plastic type and its suitability for different uses, including contact with food. There are 7 codes, aka recycling numbers, ranging from #1 to #7 (source):

• PET 1 (avoid)
• HDPE 2
• PVC 3 (avoid)
• LDPE 4
• PP 5
• PS 6 (avoid)
• OTHER 7 (avoid).

In general, plastics with the recycling numbers 2, 4, and 5 are considered safe for food contact, while plastics with the numbers 3, 6, and 7 should be avoided. As for number 1 plastic type, although it is considered food safe for single use, I would avoid it anyway.

Let’s look at each of these plastic types, their intended use, and safety considerations.

PET 1

• Resin Code: #1
• Name: Polyethylene Terephthalate
• Description: They commonly use PET (or PETE) for single-serve beverage bottles and salad dressing containers. It is lightweight, durable, and generally considered safe for single-use food and beverage storage.
• Safety Considerations: Avoid reusing PET containers for extended periods or under heat as they may degrade and leach toxic chemicals like synthetic estrogen (source).

HDPE 2

• Resin Code: #2
• Name: High Density Polyethylene
• Description: HDPE is known for its durability and is used in milk and juice jugs, detergent bottles, supplements, and some food containers. It is considered one of the safest plastics for storing food and beverages.
• Safety Considerations: Suitable for storing both cold and hot foods, HDPE is generally resistant to leaching and considered one of the safer plastics.

PVC 3

• Resin Code: #3
• Name: Polyvinyl Chloride (aka vinyl)
• Description: Manufacturers use stretchy and rubbery PVC in food wrap, cooking oil bottles, and plumbing pipes. It is not widely recommended for food storage due to potential leaching of toxic chemicals like phthalates.
• Safety Considerations: Vinyl chloride, the main ingredient in PVC, is a human carcinogen, so avoid using PVC in contact with food and opt for safer alternatives whenever possible. You can learn more about PVC in my blog post PVC Yoga Mats: Safe Or Toxic?.

LDPE 4

• Resin Code: #4
• Name: Low Density Polyethylene
• Description: LDPE is flexible and used in grocery bags, bread bags, some food wraps, and squeezable bottles. It is considered safe for food contact but less durable than HDPE.
• Safety Considerations: Generally considered safe for short-term food storage but is not suitable for long-term or high-temperature applications.

PP 5

• Resin Code: #5
• Name: Polypropylene
• Description: Manufacturers use PP in yogurt, cottage cheese, sour cream containers, medicine bottles, ketchup and syrup bottles, straws, and some food storage containers. It has a high melting point, making it suitable for both hot and cold foods.
• Safety Considerations: PP is generally considered the safest for food use. However, I still try to avoid plastic when possible.

PS 6

• Resin Code: #6
• Name: Polystyrene (or Styrofoam)
• Description: They use PS in disposable coffee cups, take-out containers, foam packaging, egg cartons, and disposable plates. It is not good for food storage due to potential leaching of styrene, especially with hot foods or liquids.
• Safety Considerations: Styrene is a known human carcinogen, so limit your exposure to PS and avoid using it for food storage or heating.

Other 7

• Resin Code: #7
• Name: includes polycarbonate (PC) and other miscellaneous plastics, such as polyurethane, acrylic, fiberglass, nylon, and bioplastic.
• Description: Manufacturers use #7 plastics for salad containers, 5-gallon water bottles, baby bottles, sports bottles, clear plastic cutlery, food processor bowls, etc.
• Safety Considerations: Exercise caution with #7 plastics, as they can vary widely in composition and safety. Avoid polycarbonate plastic made with BPA or BPS or BPF as it leaches synthetic estrogen (source and source).

How To Tell If Plastic Is Food Safe

Again, ideally, avoid plastic when you can. Alternatively, avoid the conditions that stimulate increased leaching of endocrine disruptors from plastic, including:

• heat (microwaving, dishwashing and drying, hot food, sun, heat)
• acidity (storing tomato-based and vinegar-based foods)
• abrasion (washing plastic in the dishwasher, scrubbing)
• fat (oily or fatty foods), and
• long contact time (the longer the contact with plastic, the more leaching).

In addition, you can consider the following tips for using plastics more safely:

• Limit the use of single-serve plastic products and do not reuse them. (Instead of buying water in disposable PET 1 plastic bottles, use some of the best plastic-free water bottles and a water filter.)
• Choose food-grade plastic or plastic labeled as “FDA compliant.”
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to use plastic products.
• Switch over to glass or stainless-steel food storage containers or lunchboxes.

Also, you can use the steps enumerated below to identify food-safe plastics to ensure your plastic containers and beverage bottles are safe for food use.

Check The Plastic Number

Look for the resin identification code on the bottom of containers. Safe plastics for food use typically include #2, #4, and #5. As I mentioned above, although #1 plastic is generally considered safe for single use, I would avoid it anyway.

Look For The Cup And Fork Symbol

This symbol indicates that the plastic is FDA approved for food use.

Use Help Of Additional Symbols

Look for symbols indicating microwave-safe, freezer-safe, or dishwasher-safe plastics, depending on your intended use.

Read The Label And Description

Manufacturers often provide information on whether the plastic is okay for food contact and any specific usage instructions.

Summary: What Are The Safe Plastic Numbers For Food?

The Generally Considered Safer For Food Contact Plastic Recycling Codes Are 2, 4, And 5. Minimize Your Exposure To Plastic With Recycling Numbers 1, 3, 6, and 7.

In conclusion, while plastics offer convenience in food storage and beverage containers, it’s essential to prioritize safety. Choosing food-grade plastics and understanding their appropriate uses can minimize exposure to potentially harmful chemicals. By being mindful of the resin codes and safety symbols, you can make informed choices about the plastics you use for storing food and beverages.

Personally, I cut down on plastic by using glass or stainless-steel food storage containers or lunchboxes and some of the best plastic-free water bottles.

Browse the I Read Labels For You blog to learn about other ways to reduce your exposure to potentially harmful chemicals at home and on your bodies.

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