Is Food Grade Polypropylene Safe

The common 5 gallon bucket.

Is food grade polypropylene safe. A food safe plastic resin has been certified approved safe for contact with food by the food and drug administration fda. If the bucket is considered food grade it is typically marketed as such and labeled food grade food safe etc. Many buckets that are safe to use for food storage will have a marking that says food grade or food safe on the plastic. Some food grade buckets or containers will include a cup fork symbol as an indicator.

They re made of 2 hdpe. Look for a label that indicates that the bucket is food grade. Polypropylene s high melting point makes it suitable for microwaveable food containers. The fda defines a food contact substance as being any substance that is to be used in materials created for manufacturing packing packaging holding and transporting foods.

The fda began to approve recycled polypropylene as food safe in 2013. To be sure check with your community recycling center. It s nonvolatile and doesn t react to liquids acids or bases so it s perfect to store a wide variety of foods. Container gardening is a fairly common practice and plastic buckets are the medium of choice.

It is important to note that not all hdpe containers are considered food grade. Type 5 plastic is used to make yogurt containers cream cheese containers maple syrup bottles or prescription bottles. Food grade means that the material is either safe for human consumption or it is okay to come into direct contact with food products. These plastics are known as food contact substances fcs.

A food grade bucket or container might also be specifically marked as usda. Whether you re preparing food and beverages for the masses or storing them in your own home using food grade and food safe materials will help ensure that the products are safe for consumption. Unlike other safe plastics pp is not easily recycled due to varieties of type and grade making it difficult to achieve the right consistency according to the sea studios foundation. In addition to milk bottles hdpe can be found in 5 gallon food buckets and disposable shopping bags.

If they are not labelled specifically as food safe the container should be lined with a food safe plastic bag before storing food in it. However with new information about plastic safety you may be worried about chemicals leaching into your food. If you have limited space or a short growing season you may be considering growing food in small containers. Nsf 51 food equipment materials certifications establishes minimum health and sanitation requirements for materials used in the making of commercial food equipment.

Look for the label. In food packaging the 7 type of plastic is commonly used to make water cooler five gallon jugs and some citrus juice and ketchup bottles as well as cups coffee lids and clamshell containers. What does nsf 51 food equipment materials certification mean. Check the bucket for a marking that says it s safe for food.